Sino-Congolese Programme Faces Critical Delays Due to Customs Blockages in DRC

The ambitious Sino-Congolese Programme for infrastructure development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing severe setbacks as customs clearance delays continue to disrupt project timelines. Despite robust financial and technical mobilization, critical materials and equipment remain stranded at ports, particularly in Matadi, threatening the completion of key initiatives.

Bitumen Shortages Threaten Road Construction Progress

Nico Nzau Nzau, Director General of the Agence Congolaise des Grands Travaux (ACGT), recently briefed Minister of Infrastructure John Banza on the escalating crisis. The delay involves over 1,477 tonnes of bitumen imported by SISC SA for major road projects, including the Kinshasa Ring Roads and the Matadi-Tshela-Singini highway. Originally scheduled for delivery in January 2026, these materials have been held up for more than six months, despite exemptions granted under the programme’s regulatory framework.

Minister Banza confirmed during a recent infrastructure caravan in the Grand Bandundu region that while progress has been made on certain sites—such as the Kikwit General Referral Hospital, where 17 new buildings are under construction and 11 are being modernized—these achievements are now at risk. The hospital’s capacity will expand from 150 to 650 beds and its morgue from 9 to 90 bodies, but delays may jeopardize these milestones.

Government Mobilizes to Resolve the Crisis

The Agence de Pilotage, Coordination et Suivi des Conventions (APCSC), responsible for overseeing customs clearance for the programme, has been urged to take immediate action. According to ACGT officials, unresolved requests for tax exemptions and indirect fiscal coverage have left import processes in limbo since late 2025. These administrative obstacles persist despite legal provisions—Law No. 14/005 of February 11, 2014 and Avenant No. 5 to the 2024 Collaboration Agreement—which grant fiscal advantages to the Sino-Congolese initiative.

Additional Blockages Compound the Problem

Beyond the bitumen shortage, approximately 1,650 tonnes of bitumen intended for the rehabilitation of the RN1 highway (Mbujimayi–Nguba segment) are also stuck in Katanga. Heavy machinery, including concrete plant equipment for the Idiofa Stadium, spare parts, and other essential materials, remain trapped at border crossings, preventing their deployment to construction sites.

The onset of the dry season, typically a period of accelerated work, is further complicating efforts. Projects like the South-East and South-West Ring Roads of Kinshasa, the Manterne–Tshela–Singini road, the Kananga–Kalamba Mbuji route, and the Idiofa Stadium are all at risk of missing critical deadlines. These delays will not only delay infrastructure delivery but also deny communities access to modern facilities they desperately need.

With time running out, the Minister and ACGT officials are urging all stakeholders—including APCSC—to prioritize resolving these customs bottlenecks. The success of the Sino-Congolese Programme hinges on the swift clearance of these materials, ensuring that the DRC’s development trajectory remains on track.