The development of transport in the Congo/Zaire river basin: draft

Abstract

The development of transport in the Congo/Zaire River Basin is critical for regional integration and economic growth, yet it remains underutilized due to insufficient coordination among riparian states. The basin, spanning approximately 3.5 million km², offers vast navigable waterways, road networks, railways, and air transport potential. However, challenges such as poor infrastructure, seasonal navigability constraints, and fragmented bilateral agreements hinder progress. Key projects include stabilizing Lake Tanganyika’s water levels, improving river navigation through dredging and dam construction, and rehabilitating critical rail and road corridors like the Benguela Railway. Landlocked states such as Burundi, CAR, Rwanda, and Zambia face additional transit challenges, necessitating cooperative efforts under frameworks like UNTACDA and the Lagos Plan of Action. Priority actions include harmonizing transport policies, expanding multimodal connectivity, and securing funding for infrastructure upgrades to unlock the basin’s full economic potential.