Africa Finance Corporation and Alstom Partnership Boosts Kinshasa Rail Project
Lagos, 30 May 2024: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent's leading infrastructure solutions provider, together with Alstom, a pioneer in sustainable mobility, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to propel the development of the MetroKin rail project Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This significant partnership was announced alongside the recent state visit of His Excellency Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to France.
The partnership builds on AFC's prior agreement with Trans Connexion Congo (TCC) to develop a mass transit system that extends over 300km of railroad in Kinshasa, the most populous city in Africa. The project will unfold in four phases, starting with the overhaul of a 25km stretch from Kinshasa's central station to N’Djili International Airport, completely upgrading the existing railway.
AFC has committed an initial investment of US$3 million to advance the project development phase, leading to financial closure. As the Mandated Lead Arranger, AFC is spearheading this transformative urban project.
Alstom's involvement as a strategic industrial partner supports the broader goal of enhancing urban mobility across Africa. Drawing from its experience in South Africa's urban train systems and regional projects like Dakar's express train and Abidjan's first metro line, Alstom is set to significantly contribute to Kinshasa's transit overhaul.
Kinshasa faces critical transport infrastructure challenges, exacerbated by rapid population growth and inadequate development. The current transportation system meets less than half of the daily demand, according to the city's urban transport master plan. This project aims to expand and modernize the existing rail network, improving connectivity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and significantly cutting transportation times between the suburbs and city center.
Amadou Wadda, Senior Director of Project Development & Technical Solutions at AFC, said: "We are pleased to welcome a global institution of high repute like Alstom to the project. Their expertise will be crucial as we push forward with this project, which promises to reshape Kinshasa's economic landscape, create numerous jobs, and transform lives."
Erick Onepunga Yongo, Managing Director of MetroKin said: “Under the lead of AFC, with the support of Alstom and the Congolese government, the materialisation of this project becomes effective through the project company MetroKin.SA".
Bernard Peille, Managing Director at Alstom for Africa stated: "Through our enhanced presence in the region, Alstom is committed to partnering with MetroKin to support the development of an effective mass urban transit solution for Kinshasa. We aim to contribute to the city's development ambitions by leveraging our global expertise and supporting its citizens in their mobility needs.
The project has reached significant milestones, with Alstom joining at a crucial time when detailed technical designs are being finalized. The combined strengths and shared vision of AFC, Metrokin, and Alstom are set to ensure the successful completion of the development phase by the end of 2024.
About AFC
AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for private sector-led infrastructure investment across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.
Seventeen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 43 member countries and has invested US$13 billion across Africa since inception.
About Alstom
Alstom commits to contribute to a low carbon future by developing and promoting innovative and sustainable transportation solutions that people enjoy riding. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. With its presence in 63 countries and a talent base of over 80,000 people from 175 nationalities, the company focuses its design, innovation, and project management skills to where mobility solutions are needed most. Listed in France, Alstom generated revenues of €16.5 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2023.
For more information, please visit www.alstom.com.
About Metrokin S.A
Metrokin is a limited company under Congolese law, with 3 main shareholders: Trans Connexion Congo (TCC), the SCTP and the City of Kinshasa. With its 4 phases in a city of over 17 million inhabitants, it is the ideal response to the short- and long-term problem of mobility in Kinshasa.
- The central station at N'djili international airport is the 1st phase, 25km long,
- The Kinsahsa plain ("maillage") is the 2nd, 75km long,
- The Kinshasa city loop, 90km, is the 3rd phase,
- From the airport to Malaku 80km is the 4th.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Yewande Thorpe
Communications
Africa Finance Corporation
Phone: +234 1 279 9654
Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org
Charlyne Garcias
Alstom – Northern and Central Africa
Phone: + 33 6 58 64 19 31
Email: charlyne.garcias@alstomgroup.com
Samantha Kamba
Head of Communications
Metrokin S.A
Phone:+243859094050