Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works John Banza Lunda on April 5, 2026 launched paving works on National Road 1 (RN1), covering the stretch between Kananga and the Kakangayi River in Kabeya-Kamwanga territory.

The project is part of the DRC-Angola transnational economic corridor, aimed at boosting trade between the Kasai region and the Angolan market.

According to project documents and official statements issued during the launch ceremony, the road extends over 137.5 km and is divided into three lots. The first lot covers the section from Kananga to the village of Kasingi/Kashindi over 45 km. The second runs from Kasingi/Kashindi to Bena Mulongo, also over 45 km. The third connects Bena Mulongo to the Kakangayi River over 47.5 km. The contracts have been awarded respectively to Sino-Hydro Sokol, the GGPI group, and CFHEC.

According to a technical presentation published on the official website of the Kasai Oriental governorate, the project includes a 15-meter right-of-way, a 7-meter-wide roadway, and a total construction period of 30 months.

Beyond the main road, the programme includes several ancillary works. According to the Infrastructure Cell and African Development Bank (AfDB) documents, this includes 10 km of urban roads across Kananga, Kabeya-Kamwanga and Munkamba. It also covers the construction of the Kalamba-Mbuji border market, weigh stations at Kalamba-Mbuji and Munkamba, as well as socio-economic and rural infrastructure such as schools, health centres, training centres, markets, warehouses, boreholes and rural roads. The project also includes awareness campaigns on road safety, gender-based violence (GBV), HIV/AIDS and COVID-19, along with a 100-hectare reforestation programme between Kananga and Kabeya-Kamwanga.

Financing for Phase 1 includes a grant of about $69.8 million and a loan of about $105.2 million, bringing total funding to nearly $175 million from the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund, as part of a broader $650 million programme.

The objective is to improve logistics performance along the Mbuji-Mayi-Kananga-Kalamba-Mbuji (DRC) - Shikolondo-Dundo (Angola) corridor, while supporting intra-regional trade and improving living conditions for local populations.

Authorities say the corridor is expected to help open up the Greater Kasai region, reduce transport costs and streamline trade flows. John Banza Lunda also described RN1 as the backbone of the country, linking Kongo Central and Katanga.

Ronsard Luabeya