The project combines construction of a permanent bridge across the Oubangui River between Bangui in the Central African Republic and Zongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo with development of missing road links and transport, trade and transit-facilitation measures along the Bangui-Kisangani-Kampala and Kisangani-Bujumbura corridors. It is intended to connect Central and East African transport networks, including a section of the Lagos-Mombasa Trans-African Highway, and to replace unreliable river-crossing arrangements with a continuous regional route.
The approved PAP II concept covers the bridge and a much wider road programme of approximately 2,700 km. The original full-scope estimate was USD 3.492 billion, of which approximately USD 48 million related to the bridge and USD 3.444 billion to road components. AfDB-supported feasibility studies were completed in 2024.
The Oubangui River crossing between Bangui and Zongo is a missing physical link between the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project is designed as more than a stand-alone bridge: it also includes missing road sections and facilitation measures on two regional corridors extending through the DRC towards Uganda and Burundi.
The Bangui-Kisangani-Kampala corridor contributes to the continuity of the Lagos-Mombasa Trans-African Highway, while the Kisangani-Bujumbura corridor supports a direct connection between Central and East Africa. The programme is intended to reduce transport discontinuities, improve border movement and support trade among Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The PAP II submission described an estimated road programme of approximately 2,700 km together with the river bridge. This broad scope explains why the original full-programme estimate is materially higher than later figures referring only to the bridge, preparation operation or a priority implementation phase. These figures must not be combined or substituted without defining the relevant scope.
The AfDB financed a feasibility-study operation covering the bridge, missing corridor links and transport and trade facilitation. Completion reporting issued in 2024 confirms completion of that preparation operation. This supports S2B - Feasibility, but not project structuring or construction unless subsequent official records show an approved delivery structure, financing plan and procurement process.
The next requirements are to confirm the investment scope to be taken forward, update cost estimates and designs where necessary, agree implementation responsibilities among the participating states and ECCAS, structure financing and prepare the procurement and safeguard instruments required for implementation.
The project aims to establish a reliable permanent crossing between Bangui and Zongo and to improve continuity along the Bangui-Kisangani-Kampala and Kisangani-Bujumbura corridors. It is intended to reduce transport costs and travel disruptions, facilitate cross-border movement of people and goods and improve access between the transport networks of Central and East Africa.
It also seeks to promote regional trade, improve the competitiveness of corridor economies, strengthen border and transit procedures and attract investment to the project area. The wider objective is to create a more continuous regional route linking landlocked and fragile economies to major markets and transport gateways.