The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to begin construction in 2026 on 707 kilometers of rural feeder roads in Kasai Central province under the National Agricultural Development Program (PNDA).
Technical studies are underway and expected to conclude by the end of 2025, clearing the way for work to start. The initiative aims to improve market access for farmers and strengthen rural connectivity across three territories, Demba, Luiza, and Dibaya, covering 201 km, 246 km, and 260 km respectively.
About 70% of the work will be carried out by the Directorate of Agricultural Feeder Roads using the labor-intensive HIMO approach, which favors local employment over heavy machinery.
To speed up implementation, the PNDA and the Directorate of Agricultural Feeder Roads signed an agreement on February 24, 2025. It includes training programs for HIMO team leaders drawn from local road maintenance committees, small and medium enterprises, and community development NGOs.
The $300 million PNDA, financed by the World Bank, spans four provinces, Kasai, Kasai Central, Kongo Central, and Kwilu. It aims to strengthen agricultural value chains for high-yield maize, cassava, soybeans, and poultry, while improving the flow of farm goods. In the long term, the program targets the construction and rehabilitation of 3,049 kilometers of rural feeder roads across twelve territories in the four provinces.
Ronsard Luabeya
