President Félix Tshisekedi led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard in Kinshasa, marking the official launch of a transformative infrastructure project. The event was attended by Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka and Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba. The new boulevard will stretch 2,020 metres with eight lanes—four in each direction—alongside a 750-metre, two-lane ramp. The scope includes advanced drainage systems, multiple bridges, culverts, and modern street lighting. Construction is slated for completion within one year.

CR20 undertakes its first public works project in the DRC

The contract has been awarded to China Railway 20th Bureau Group (CR20), a Chinese firm specialising in large-scale infrastructure. Zhang Guoxu, General Manager of China Railway 20th Bureau Group Angola International Company, confirmed this marks CR20’s first public works contract in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He emphasised the company’s commitment to meeting project deadlines and technical standards while ensuring high-quality construction and environmental stewardship. Governor Daniel Bumba underscored the need to adhere strictly to technical specifications and contractual timelines, stressing the immediate benefits the boulevard will bring to local traffic conditions.

Before the groundbreaking, President Tshisekedi reviewed detailed plans, including the proposed layout, engineering specifications, and key infrastructure components. Visual renderings of the completed boulevard were also presented. The project aims to expand road capacity and alleviate chronic congestion in a city known for its traffic gridlock. Once operational, the Étienne Tshisekedi Boulevard will integrate seamlessly into Kinshasa’s existing network, offering a wider, better-equipped corridor to ease pressure on overburdened routes. Success hinges on rigorous execution, timely completion, and effective integration with surrounding road systems.