National Road 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

National Road 1
Route information
Length3,130 km (1,940 mi)
Major junctions
West endMoanda on the Atlantic Ocean
East end T3 at the Kasumbalesa border with Zambia
Location
CountryDemocratic Republic of the Congo
ProvincesKongo Central, Kinshasa, Kwango, Kwilu, Kasaï, Kasaï-Central, Kasaï-Oriental, Lomami, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, Haut-Katanga
Major citiesKinshasa, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Lubumbashi
Highway system

National Road No. 1 is a major highway in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It runs from the western port of Banana though the cities of Kinshasa, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Lubumbashi, and ends at Kasumbalesa in the southeast of the country where it connects with the T3 road in Zambia.[1] The road contains the Matadi Bridge, the largest bridge in the country, which spans the Congo River.

Route (east to west)
Place Province
Moanda Kongo Central
Boma
Kinzau-Mvuete
Matadi
Kenge
Kimpese
Lukala
Mbanza-Ngungu
Kisantu
Kasangulu
Kinshasa Kinshasa
Kenge Kwango
Masi-Manimba Kwilu
Kikwit
Kilembe
Tshikapa Kasaï
Bulungu Kasaï-Central
Kananga
Mbuji-Mayi Kasaï-Oriental
Mwene-Ditu Lomami
Luputa
Lusuku
Kaniama Haut-Lomami
Kamina
Mulungwishi Haut-Katanga
Lwambo
Likasi
Lubumbashi
Kasumbalesa

Rebuilding

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In 2008, following the Sicomines minerals for infrastructure deal, the DRC awarded a no bid contract to China Railway rebuild several sections of the N1 and collect tolls. According to banking data made public by the Congo Hold-Up [fr] leaks, some of the toll revenue was redirected to the relatives and entourage of then president Joseph Kabila.[2]

In 2019, the African Development Bank provided a XUA 50,570,000 loan to rehabilitate the section between Kinshasa and Batshamba, which was completed in 2021.[3][1] In 2022, the ADB approved another $250 million for the section between Mbuji-Mayi and Kananga.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Group, African Development Bank (2019-07-23). "Democratic Republic of Congo - National road no.1 rehabilitation project: KINSHASA/NDJILI – BATSHAMBA section - June 2019". African Development Bank. Retrieved 2023-03-07. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "China built Congo a toll road that led straight to the ruling family". Bloomberg News via mining.com. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  3. ^ Ecofin, Agence. "RD Congo: 78 millions $ de la BAD pour la réhabilitation d'un tronçon de la route nationale n°1". Agence Ecofin (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. ^ "USD 250 million from the African Development Bank for the works of the Mbuji-Mayi-Kananga road". acpcongo. 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2023-03-07.