The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania plan to improve multimodal freight connectivity along the Central Corridor through port, road, rail and lake transport projects.
The commitment follows talks between DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Zanzibar on August 18, the DRC Presidency said in a statement.
The countries would work to improve connectivity through the ports of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika and Kalemie in the DRC, the Presidency said.
Planned interventions include improving road links and lake transport services, as well as progressively interconnecting the countries’ railway networks.
The improvements could give DRC traders and mining companies better access to international markets through Dar es Salaam, while supporting cargo movements between Tanzania and the eastern DRC.
The Central Corridor connects the Port of Dar es Salaam with landlocked markets in East and Central Africa. Increased use of the route could provide DRC and Copperbelt cargo with an alternative to southern African gateways and the Lobito Corridor.
The two leaders also welcomed progress on a cross-border fibre-optic connection between Kigoma and Kalemie, the Presidency said.
Their discussions covered broader cooperation in the economy, infrastructure, mining and regional security.
The countries agreed to revive their joint permanent commission and establish a strategic partnership covering critical minerals and the exchange of geological data, according to the statement.
They will also assess potential joint oil and gas projects.
