Executive Secretary of the Central Corridor Advances Key Regional Initiatives During DRC Mission.

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Last week, the Executive Secretary of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), Adv. Flory Okandju, undertook an official mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at accelerating the implementation of critical projects and initiatives under the Central Corridor framework.

During his visit, the Executive Secretary participated in the 2nd Edition of the Conference on Mines, Energy, and Infrastructure of Maniema Province, held in Kindu. He presented the progress of the Tripartite Electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project connecting Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC, with a focus on Phase III of the project covering the Gitega–Bujumbura/Uvira–Kindu section. This phase will end in Kindu, marking a major milestone in enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic integration across the Central Corridor.

In parallel, he chaired the Technical and Steering Committee meetings for the feasibility and preliminary engineering studies of the SGR Project. Representatives from Burundi and the DRC joined the sessions, which reviewed and validated key components of Interim Report No. 1, including Traffic Demand, Railway Operations, Signaling, Telecommunications, and Energy Studies. These deliberations are crucial for ensuring steady progress toward the project’s successful implementation.
Beyond project-specific activities.

The Executive Secretary engaged in high-level consultations aimed at strengthening partnerships and advancing regional cooperation. He paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Ambassador Said Mshana, Tanzania’s Ambassador to the DRC, where discussions centered on enhancing bilateral collaboration in infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and economic diplomacy, key drivers of inclusive growth in the region.

Further, he held constructive discussions with H.E. Dr. Deo Mwapinga, Secretary General of the Forum of Parliaments of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR). The meeting explored synergies between CCTTFA and ICGLR in promoting infrastructure development and regional cooperation, underscoring the shared commitment to economic transformation across member states.

These engagements reaffirm CCTTFA’s dedication to building strategic partnerships and accelerating cross-border initiatives that foster connectivity, prosperity in the Great Lakes Region and beyond.