The port, situated in Kongo Central province, is expected to enhance regional trade networks and decrease the DRC’s reliance on foreign ports for global commerce.
As one of Africa’s largest infrastructure projects, the Banana Port is set to facilitate trade across the continent, providing a direct maritime route for goods and lowering business costs. This development aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and aims to boost intra-African trade.
The project, funded by DP World with support from British International Investment (BII), will be developed in phases. Phase one includes a 600-meter quay, a 30-hectare storage area, and an initial annual capacity for handling 450,000 TEUs. Phase two plans to extend the quay wall by over two kilometers, accommodating larger vessels.
Upon completion, the Banana Port is expected to streamline trade operations, reduce transport costs, and centralize customs and administrative processes. Additionally, it is set to create numerous jobs, benefit local industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, and integrate the DRC into the broader African supply chain network.
Mota-Engil, a multinational construction company with a history of executing large-scale projects in Africa, will oversee the construction. DP World, a global logistics and port management company based in Dubai, is the lead investor. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, has described the port as a “transformative” project that will reshape the DRC’s trade landscape and enhance Africa’s global market standing.
