DRC rail rehabilitation

[John Ashworth]

DRC RAIL REHAB

Railways Africa on June 23, 2011 in Congo

Rail lines in the south east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC – formerly Zaire) are being rehabilitated with $US600 million from the World Bank and China. The financing is part of a broader $6 billion “minerals for infrastructure” deal struck with the DRC in 2009.



The rehabilitation of some 700km of track in the heart of the country’s copper mining region will help boost the agricultural and mining industries, encourage the development of isolated communities and help fight poverty, 
according to mines minister (also interim transport minister) Martin Kabwelulu, speaking in the capital, Kinshasa.



The World Bank recently labelled corruption and lax 
government as the main obstacles to economic progress and lessening unemployment – currently about 75% of the 67 million population. According to the Bank, a combination of extortion and badly targeted taxation prevents the creation 
of small businesses – the lifeblood of economies and employment in most countries.