On 25th July 2023, in Kinshasa, DRC, CCTTFA coordinated and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kavland Group International on financing, construction and management of the improvements of ports, railways, and road projects along Lake Tanganyika under the Transport Infrastructure Development Program for strengthening trade between the United Republic of Tanzania and DRC.

An MoU was signed on 19th July 2022 between the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo for Joint development of Transport Infrastructure on strengthening bilateral trade between the two countries and a Ministerial Joint Communique issued in Dar es Salaam on 9th November 2022 among others mandated CCTTFA Secretariat to the Programme and assist the Member States to mobilize funds for its implementation.

Kavland International in April 2023 presented to CCTTFA Letters of Expression of Interest (LOEOI) expressing their willingness to partner with DRC government in the financing, developing railway, roads, and port projects linking Tanzania and DRC through Lake Tanganyika. On 11th and 12th May 2023 Kavland International representatives held consultation meetings with DRC Government logistic agencies (SNCC and Office des Routes) where the need for partnership on financing and development of transport infrastructure was re-affirmed.

At the signing ceremony the Government of DRC was represented by Hon. Adv. Marc Ekila Likombo, Minister of Transport, Ways of Communications and Opening Up, Kavland International was represented by Rev. Chisenga Lipwa, Director Africa and CCTTFA was represented by Adv. Okandju Okonge Flory, the Executive Secretary.

In accordance with the MoU, the parties have agreed to:

  1. Jointly understate detailed inspections and analysis of identified transport infrastructure in DRC to ascertain investment requirements that will ensure efficient and reliable movement of outbound and inbound cargo;
  2. Deliberate and agree on the financing modalities and conditions for implementation of the project;
  3. Agree and prepare jointly the required legal documentation for financing, implementing and managing of infrastructure projects.

The Transport Infrastructure Development projects includes the rehabilitation of ports of Kalemie and Moba, rehabilitation of railway infrastructure from Kalemie Port to Lumbumbashi and Kindu, rehabilitation and development of road projects from Kalemie to Lubumbashi and Uvira to Bukavu as part of enhancing business and trade along the Central Corridor region and supporting the ongoing commercial ties and economic cooperation around the Lake Tanganyika region.