Critical delays in Sino-Congolese programme threaten DRC’s infrastructure progress

Despite robust financial, technical and institutional coordination, the Sino-Congolese programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces severe setbacks due to prolonged customs clearance delays for imported construction materials and equipment. These bottlenecks are directly impeding progress on key infrastructure projects nationwide.

Nico Nzau Nzau, Director-General of the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), recently alerted Minister of Infrastructure John Banza during an infrastructure caravan event. He highlighted that road surfacing work on multiple projects could have already commenced if not for the six-month-long detention of a critical shipment of bitumen at the Port of Matadi. Despite the project’s tax exemptions under Law No. 14/005 of February 11, 2014, and the 2024 Collaboration Convention Amendment No. 5, the bitumen remains unprocessed.

Minister Banza acknowledged the overall progress on several sites but emphasized that these delays now pose a significant threat to the country’s development trajectory. He stressed the urgent need for all stakeholders, including the Agency for Coordination and Monitoring of Conventions (APCSC), to intervene decisively to resolve the situation.

Impact on critical infrastructure projects

The consequences of these delays are far-reaching:

• 1,477 tonnes of bitumen destined for Kinshasa’s Southern Bypasses, the Matadi-Tshela-Singini road and the Kananga-Kalamba Mbuji route have been held at Matadi Port since January 2026.
• 1,650 tonnes of bitumen for the rehabilitation of the RN1 segment between Mbujimayi and Nguba are similarly stranded in the Grand Katanga region.
• Heavy machinery, including concrete plant components for the Idiofa Stadium, spare parts and other essential materials, remain trapped at customs checkpoints, preventing their deployment to project sites.

The Minister’s inspection caravan, which began on June 19 in the Grand Bandundu region and is ongoing across multiple provinces, has confirmed the generally satisfactory progress on projects funded by Sicomines. Notably, the construction of 17 new buildings and the modernization of 11 existing ones at the General Reference Hospital of Kikwit are advancing well, increasing bed capacity from 150 to 650 and mortuary space from 9 to 90 bodies.

Seasonal constraints and public consequences

The upcoming dry season, traditionally favorable for construction activities, may now further exacerbate delays, risking missed delivery deadlines. Key projects that could be affected include:

• Southern Bypasses of Kinshasa (South-East and South-West)
• Manterne-Tshela-Singini road
• Kananga-Kalamba Mbuji route
• RN1 segment (Mbujimayi-Nguba)
• Idiofa Stadium
• General Reference Hospital of Kikwit

Failure to resolve these delays will deprive the population of modern infrastructure, undermining national development goals and eroding public trust in large-scale initiatives.

Call for coordinated action

The APCSC, as the central coordinating body responsible for customs clearance of infrastructure projects under this programme, must prioritize the resolution of these bottlenecks. Immediate measures are required to:

• Process pending customs declarations and tax exemptions for Sino-Congolese programme imports.
• Expedite the release of stranded materials to prevent further project slowdowns.
• Ensure the timely resumption of construction activities to meet government-set milestones.

The Minister’s caravan underscores the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in infrastructure delivery. However, without decisive action from all involved parties, the programme’s potential to transform DRC’s infrastructure landscape remains at risk.