The Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo signed a bilateral agreement on May 7 in Kinshasa setting out the tax, customs and non-tax revenue arrangements for the planned road-rail bridge between Kinshasa and Brazzaville.

The document was signed during a ceremony attended by DRC Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Waterways and Connectivity Jean-Pierre Bemba and Republic of Congo Deputy Prime Minister for Territorial Planning and Major Works Jean-Jacques Bouya.

According to the DRC Ministry of Transport, the agreement establishes a common framework for taxation and customs procedures related to the project. It aims to eliminate the risk of double taxation and harmonize tariff procedures applicable to goods in transit as well as future toll revenue.

The signing follows technical discussions held in February 2026 in Kinshasa. At the time, officials from both countries said finalizing the framework was a necessary step before relaunching the process to select the concessionaire responsible for developing the project. The selection is expected to pave the way for financial close.

“The project is now moving into the implementation phase,” the Ministry of Transport said after the May 7 ceremony.

Currently estimated at more than $800 million, according to Congolese authorities, the project is being developed by Africa50 alongside the African Development Bank. The lead developer is responsible for structuring the public-private partnership with the future concessionaire.

The project involves the construction of a 1.575-km toll bridge incorporating a railway line, a road and border control posts on both banks of the Congo River. The infrastructure is intended to strengthen trade and passenger flows between Kinshasa and Brazzaville, which currently rely mainly on river crossings for transport links.

Boaz Kabeya