GED Africa and the DRC government have signed a major long-term infrastructure development agreement
GED Africa, the DRC Ministry of Infrastructure and the Agence Congolaise des Grands Travaux (ACGT) are finalizing the 25-year Concession Agreement outlining the infrastructure development needs of the DRC segment of the GED Africa Route.
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, April 11, 2022- The signing of this Concession Agreement marks a critical milestone for the project, and paves the way for the construction of a new road between Kasomeno, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mwenda , in Zambia. Key features of this multilateral infrastructure project include a modern 345 meter cable-stayed bridge over the Luapula River and a single border post in each country.
The GED route to Africa will have a positive and lasting impact on the local economy through long-term employment opportunities. Benefits for people living along the GED Africa route will include improved access to health care and education, as well as the facilitation of local trade.
The agreement includes a commitment to 30% of the contracting work to be awarded to local companies. The complex information technology systems required to enable the OSBP approach offers additional capacity-building and employment opportunities.
The agreement includes a commitment that 30% of the contract work will be awarded to local contractors. The complex IT systems required to enable the One Stop Border Post principle provide additional opportunities for capacity building and employment.
“This contract responds to the main needs of large-scale economic operators (miners), subcontractors, and finally local communities who will be positively impacted by the jobs that will be generated”, commented His Excellency, the Minister of Infrastructure of the DRC, Mr. Gizaro Muvuni Alexis.
The creation of trade links with Zambia and the international port of Dar es Salaam will support the sectoral development of mining and agriculture, and will make Kasenga the next big commercial center of the DRC.
“Today, we signed the Concession Agreement between GED Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo; in a month, we will sign a parallel agreement with the Republic of Zambia. Together, these two concessions will form a transport corridor offering multiple economic benefits to people in the region, and beyond,” added Klaus Findt, CEO of GED Africa.
The collaboration between all parties in this public-private partnership is a case study that illustrates the opportunities that can be created when you apply a sustainable business model to the needs of local communities and their savings. Significant progress has already been made with the first work on the GED Afrique road, and the signing of these concession agreements means the way forward is now clear.
About GED Africa
The GED Africa Road Project is a regional corridor development initiative conceptualized by GED Africa and structured as a construction project between GED Africa subsidiaries (GED Congo and GED Zambia), and the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Zambia, under separate concession agreements.
GED Africa is the ultimate owner of the rights to design, build and operate the GED Africa road, which includes the upgrade and construction of an entirely new road from Kasomeno, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). ), in Mwenda, Zambia, a modern 345-meter cable-stayed bridge over the Luapula River, as well as a one-stop border post in each country.
