Honoured to participate in the 11th Edition of Expo-Beton 2026 in Kalemie, Tanganyika Province, DRC, where I had the privilege to present the strategic role of the Central Corridor in advancing regional connectivity, trade facilitation, and infrastructure development and the Corridor Impact on DRC with focus to Lake Tanganyika Region. I commend the President of Expo-Beton, Hon. Jean Bamanisa @JeanBamanisa , and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for their continued commitment to promoting infrastructure development, regional integration, and investment opportunities through such an impactful platform. The discussions held during the Forum once again demonstrated the growing importance of strategic partnerships between the Central Corridor member states, governments institutions, the private sector, and development partners in accelerating multimodal infrastructure development and unlocking the economic potential of our region. The future of Africa depends on connected infrastructure, stronger regional cooperation, and integrated transport systems.

I had the pleasure of receiving a delegation from GED Africa, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Klaus Findt, at the Central Corridor Secretariat for strategic discussions on the Kasomeno–Mwenda Road Project and the One Stop Border Post between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia, including ongoing construction works, project financing, and the approval of the OSBP Operational Manual by both Governments. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly strengthen trade flows between the Port of Dar es Salaam and the DRC through Zambia by reducing transport distances by approximately 500 kilometres, lowering logistics costs, improving cargo efficiency and safety, and supporting regional integration and economic growth along the Central Corridor. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders from Tanzania, including the Ministry of Transport, Tanzania Ports Authority, Tanzania National Roads Agency, DP World, and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation. The discussions also highlighted the importance of inclusive development through community-focused initiatives in areas such as women empowerment, climate-smart agriculture, healthcare, education, road safety, and employment facilitation.

On this Worker’s Day, we honor the dedication and resilience of the workforce that keeps the Central Corridor moving. Your commitment drives regional growth, connectivity, and opportunity.

During his working visit to Lusaka last week, the Executive Secretary @FloryOKANDJU held strategic engagements with key stakeholders, including Mrs. Lillian Saili Bwalya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, on enhancing trade facilitation and cross-border efficiency along the Southern Route of the Central Corridor, with emphasis on full operationalization of the Tunduma/Nakonde OSBP. He also met Mr. Philippe Niamkey, Managing Director, Africa Global Logistics – Zambia, to discuss investment opportunities and scaling up railway operations on TAZARA, and engaged Dr. Habibu Suluo, Director General of LATRA, on strengthening land transport regulation and corridor performance.

Honoured to represent the Central Corridor at the Land Linked Zambia 2026 in Lusaka under the theme Beyond Borders: Re-Imagining Africa’s Transport Corridors for Prosperity. The future of Africa lies in integrated, efficient and green corridors that connect markets, unlock trade, create jobs and transform lives. Zambia’s vision to become a land-linked hub strongly aligns with the Central Corridor shared regional agenda for prosperity. My Remarks to the participants during the Event Opening Ceremony emphasized stronger partnerships, smarter infrastructure and seamless trade systems, which can build corridors that drive growth across Southern, Eastern and Central Africa. #LandLinked2026 #BeyondBorders

The Central Corridor has officially opened the 2026 Stakeholders Consultative Committee (STACON) Meeting in Dar es Salaam, bringing together representatives from Member States, development partners, and public & private sector stakeholders to advance transport efficiency, trade facilitation, and regional integration. Over the next two days, delegates will review key strategic matters, including: • Annual Transport Observatory Report 2025; • Route Assessment Survey on Dar es Salaam–Kabanga, Rusumo & Mutukula corridors; • Railway performance survey along the TAZARA line; • Progress of the 2025/26 Annual Work Plan; • Findings from technical Studies for Lake Tanganyika and Lake Kivu Navigation Safety Project undertaken with the support of the AUDA-NEPAD and GIZ. The strong participation and constructive engagement of all stakeholders reaffirm our shared commitment to building a more integrated, resilient, and prosperous region through smarter transport systems and enhanced trade facilitation.

The three Central Corridor member states of Tanzania, Burundi, and DRC have reaffirmed their commitment to developing an electrified SGR network linking the region, during a Tripartite Ministerial Meeting held in Kinshasa on 31 March 2026. Convened at the invitation of H.E. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport of the DRC, the meeting brought together Ministers, Ambassadors, senior officials, and technical experts from the three countries, alongside the project consultant, with coordination support from CCTTFA. Participants reviewed and approved the interim report covering railway operations, signaling, telecommunications, and energy components, while emphasizing the need to fast-track the remaining deliverables in line with agreed timelines. The project was reaffirmed as a key driver of regional economic development, given its potential to unlock opportunities in mining, agriculture, and trade among the partner states.

Yesterday, Burundi, DRC, and Tanzania convened a Tripartite Ministerial Meeting in Kinshasa to review progress on the feasibility and preliminary engineering studies for the section Gitega–Bujumbura–Uvira–Kindu Electrified Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project. The meeting was held at the invitation of H.E. Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport DRC. It brought together Ministers of Transport from the three countries, Ambassadors, the Governor of Maniema Province, senior government officials, and representatives of the Central Corridor.Technical experts and the consultant leading the feasibility and engineering studies were also in attendance. The Ministers expressed strong satisfaction with the progress achieved to date and commended the quality of work undertaken. They reaffirmed their collective commitment to advancing this transformative regional infrastructure project, which is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between the three countries and strengthen trade and economic integration across the Central Corridor. During the meeting, key technical study reports were reviewed and endorsed, marking an important milestone in the project’s development. The Ministers further directed the consultants to expedite the remaining work and ensure the timely submission of the final study report, including a preliminary project outline in accordance with the roadmap. The Central Corridor continues to play a central coordinating role in this strategic initiative, working closely with Partner States and stakeholders to advance efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport systems that facilitate seamless trade across the region.

The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency, with support from TradeMark Africa @TradeMarkAfrica , conducted national validation workshops in Lubumbashi, DRC from 24 to 25 March 2026 for two strategic studies aimed at improving trade facilitation and security along the Southern Route. The workshops reviewed the reports of: 1. The feasibility study on the deployment of a cashless payment system for transport and transit-related payments; and 2. The feasibility study on surveillance systems to strengthen security at border posts and key hotspots. The sessions were facilitated by the respective consultancy Team Leaders and brought together key stakeholders from Government, security agencies, municipalities, private sector operators, commercial banks, and mobile money service providers in the DRC. The validation process ensured alignment with national priorities, strengthened stakeholder ownership, and enhanced the technical robustness of the studies ahead of their finalisation and implementation. These initiatives complement ongoing government efforts and are expected to enhance efficiency, transparency, and security along the Corridor, in line with CCTTFA’s mandate to facilitate seamless trade and reduce transit costs.

The Governments of Tanzania and DRC have reaffirmed their strong commitment to advancing regional integration and trade through the development of modern transport infrastructure. During the 2nd High-Level Steering Committee Meeting on the implementation of the Transport Infrastructure Development Program for strengthening Trade between the United Republic of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo held in Kigoma on 18 March 2026, following the Joint Technical Experts Meeting, significant progress was recorded across key sectors including dry ports development, rail infrastructure, maritime transport, roads, and air connectivity. The meeting also addressed critical challenges and endorsed strategic actions to accelerate implementation, strengthen partnerships, and enhance coordination between the two countries. The Central Corridor continues to play a central role in facilitating this collaboration and advancing the shared vision of efficient, interconnected transport systems to reduce logistics costs and support economic growth. The session concluded with site visits to the Port of Kigoma and Kigoma Airport to assess ongoing infrastructure developments.

On behalf of the Central Corridor, I extend our warmest congratulations to the Governments of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda on the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the development of a cross-border railway linking western Uganda to Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) network and the Port of Dar es Salaam. The MoU was signed on Friday 13th March 2026 on the margin of the Tanzania-Uganda Joint Permanent Commission meeting held in Dar es Salaam. The proposed railway would extend from Isaka in northwestern Tanzania, where the Dar es Salaam–Mwanza SGR terminates, crossing into Uganda at Kikagati before continuing through Mbarara, Bihanga and Kasese to Mpondwe at the DRC border. This important milestone reflects the strong commitment of both Governments to deepen regional integration, enhance trade facilitation, and strengthen sustainable transport infrastructure across the Central Corridor. The Central Corridor remains committed to supporting initiatives that advance regional connectivity and unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and shared prosperity across the region.

Yesterday, 12 March 2026, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), I had the honour of witnessing the signing of the Concession Contract between the Government of the DRC and Boston Developers Ltd for the development of the 45-hectare DRC Dry Port at Kwala in Tanzania. The contract was signed by H.E. Jean Pierre Bemba, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Ways of Communication and Opening Up on behalf of the Government of the DRC, and Mr. Nilax Bhatt, CEO of Boston Developers Ltd, marking the official launch of the project’s implementation. The project will establish a dedicated logistics platform for the DRC within the 502-hectare Kwala Dry Port complex in Kibaha District, Coast Region of Tanzania, about 60 km from the Port of Dar es Salaam. Once operational, the facility will serve as an inland logistics hub for Congolese cargo, helping reduce congestion at the Port of Dar es Salaam while improving cargo clearance and transportation to the eastern and southern regions of the DRC. Developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the project will be financed and operated by Boston Developers Ltd, and represents an important step in strengthening trade and logistics along the Central Corridor.

Adv. Flory Okandju, Executive Secretary of the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), was among the invited guests at the foundation stone-laying ceremony officiated by H.E. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for the construction of a Mega Oil Receiving and 15 Storage Tanks Project at the Port of Dar es Salaam, Kigamboni. The multi-trillion shillings facility, to be owned and managed by the Tanzania Ports Authority, marks a significant milestone in Tanzania’s maritime and energy sector development. This strategic investment will significantly strengthen the Port of Dar es Salaam’s capacity as a key regional gateway and improve the efficiency of petroleum imports and storage, supporting Tanzania and neighbouring land-linked countries served by the Central Corridor.

In Dar es Salaam, the Central Corridor, in collaboration with the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Democratic Republic of Congo, organized a high-level business meeting between the delegation of H.E. the Governor of Maniema Province, the Tanzania Private Sector Federation (TPSF), and the Tanzania National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TNCCIA). The meeting provided a strategic platform for engagement with private sector leaders and business associations to present and discuss investment, trade, and infrastructure development opportunities in Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. Particular emphasis was placed on opportunities linked to the Central Corridor and the Tripartite Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project connecting Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC. The meeting is part of the series of engagement during the working visit of the Maniema Governor in Tanzania from 23rd to 26thnFebruary 2026 which will among others provide an opportunity to engage with government authorities, public and private sector stakeholders, and business groups to present and discuss investment, trade, and infrastructure development opportunities in Maniema Province in DRC which directly contributes to the Central Corridor’s broader efforts to enhance trade facilitation, strengthen economic cooperation, and increase bilateral trade flows between Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, thereby supporting sustainable economic growth and regional integration.

The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA) delegation, led by the Executive Secretary Adv. Flory Okandju @FloryOKANDJU , participated in the two-day Tanzania Trade and Logistics Forum 2026, organized by the Tanzania Freight Forwarders Representation in Dubai (TANFORD) and held from 13–14 February 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During the forum, CCTTFA shared insights on business and investment opportunities across Central Corridor Member States, contributing to discussions under the theme “Optimizing Transit Trade and Corridor Efficiency for Landlocked Countries.” The intervention emphasized ongoing and planned infrastructure development, trade facilitation reforms, and logistics efficiency measures aimed at strengthening regional and international connectivity

Adv. Flory Okandju @FloryOKANDJU , accompanied by the Central Corridor experts, undertook a working visit to Bukoba Port and Kemondo Bay Port. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the operational status, infrastructure development needs, and service delivery capacity of the two strategic ports located on Lake Victoria. They interacted with port authorities and key stakeholders to better understand current challenges and explore avenues for improving efficiency in maritime transport services.