The government says work remains on approximately 600 kilometres of the 3,300-kilometre RN1 corridor linking the Atlantic coast to southeastern DRC.
KINSHASA — September 3, 2026 — The Democratic Republic of the Congo is targeting continuous road travel between Banana and Kasumbalesa by the end of 2027 as work advances on several sections of National Road No. 1.
Infrastructure and Public Works Minister John Banza said approximately 600 kilometres still require work along the roughly 3,300-kilometre corridor connecting Banana in Kongo-Central with Kasumbalesa in Haut-Katanga.
The RN1 crosses several important population and economic centres as it links the country’s Atlantic coastline to its southeastern mining region.
According to the minister, construction is continuing on the Tshikapa–Kananga and Kananga–Mbuji-Mayi sections. He identified the Mbuji-Mayi–Nguba stretch as one of the most important remaining parts of the wider corridor.
Banza said the Mbuji-Mayi–Nguba section could be delivered by the end of 2027 if work proceeds as planned. Completing that connection would make it possible for vehicles to travel continuously between western and southeastern DRC.
The minister also said motorists can currently travel from Banana to Tshikapa, while work continues farther east.
A Strategic Link Across the DRC
A functional Banana–Kasumbalesa road would connect communities, agricultural regions, commercial centres and mining areas across several provinces.
The corridor could make it easier to move passengers and goods within the country while reducing travel delays and transport costs associated with damaged or disconnected road sections.
INFRASTRUCTURE
DRC Targets Banana–Kasumbalesa Road Connection by End of 2027
Sep 3, 2026
Sep 3, 2026
3 min read
Published
Updated:
The government says work remains on approximately 600 kilometres of the 3,300-kilometre RN1 corridor linking the Atlantic coast to southeastern DRC.
KINSHASA — September 3, 2026 — The Democratic Republic of the Congo is targeting continuous road travel between Banana and Kasumbalesa by the end of 2027 as work advances on several sections of National Road No. 1.
Infrastructure and Public Works Minister John Banza said approximately 600 kilometres still require work along the roughly 3,300-kilometre corridor connecting Banana in Kongo-Central with Kasumbalesa in Haut-Katanga.
The RN1 crosses several important population and economic centres as it links the country’s Atlantic coastline to its southeastern mining region.
According to the minister, construction is continuing on the Tshikapa–Kananga and Kananga–Mbuji-Mayi sections. He identified the Mbuji-Mayi–Nguba stretch as one of the most important remaining parts of the wider corridor.
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Banza said the Mbuji-Mayi–Nguba section could be delivered by the end of 2027 if work proceeds as planned. Completing that connection would make it possible for vehicles to travel continuously between western and southeastern DRC.
The minister also said motorists can currently travel from Banana to Tshikapa, while work continues farther east.
A Strategic Link Across the DRC
A functional Banana–Kasumbalesa road would connect communities, agricultural regions, commercial centres and mining areas across several provinces.
The corridor could make it easier to move passengers and goods within the country while reducing travel delays and transport costs associated with damaged or disconnected road sections.
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It could also strengthen access between the mineral-rich southeast and the Atlantic coast, where the DRC is developing the deep-water Port of Banana.
The project is therefore important not only for passenger mobility but also for domestic trade, agricultural distribution and the country’s wider logistics strategy.
Other National Roads Included in the Programme
During the same infrastructure update, Banza discussed work on other national routes.
The minister said sections of the RN2 between Mbuji-Mayi and Bukavu were under construction, with completed roadwork reported around Mbuji-Mayi and Kabinda. The government is also planning a 714-metre bridge across the Lualaba River at Mbanga to improve access toward Maniema.
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Projects involving the Kisangani–Buta, Kisangani–Beni and Kananga–Kisangani corridors were also presented as part of the national road-connectivity programme.
According to 7sur7’s report on the ministerial update, the government describes the projects as part of its effort to open isolated regions and improve connections between the country’s economic centres.
Earlier reporting on the Banana corridor also presented the route as a planned logistics link between the Atlantic coast and southeastern DRC.
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