During a ceremony in Kinshasa, President Félix Tshisekedi laid the foundation stone for the Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard, marking the official start of a twelve-month infrastructure drive. Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba joined the event, underscoring the project’s national significance. The main carriageway will span 2,020 metres and feature eight lanes—four in each direction—while a 750-metre two-lane ramp will connect to adjacent roads. Planned additions include advanced drainage networks, multiple bridges, strategically placed culverts, and a full lighting system.

CR20 embarks on first public-works contract in Democratic Republic of the Congo

China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20), a Chinese infrastructure specialist, has been awarded the construction contract. Zhang Guoxu, CEO of CR20 Angola International Company, confirmed this marks the firm’s maiden public-works project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He pledged to deploy all necessary resources to meet the agreed timeline and technical standards, emphasizing both construction quality and environmental safeguards. Governor Daniel Bumba echoed these priorities, stressing strict adherence to technical specifications and contractual deadlines, and expressing hope that the new roadway will swiftly alleviate chronic traffic jams in the area.

Before the groundbreaking, President Tshisekedi reviewed detailed plans, 3D renderings, and cross-sectional diagrams of the future boulevard. The initiative aims to expand road capacity and streamline mobility in a capital city frequently paralysed by gridlock. Once completed, the Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard will integrate seamlessly into Kinshasa’s existing road network, offering wider lanes and enhanced safety features. Its success hinges on rigorous execution, precise timing, and effective integration with surrounding traffic arteries, ultimately easing pressure on currently overloaded routes.