UK Firm Partners with DP World for DRC Deepwater Port

The UK’s development finance institution, British International Investment (BII), has teamed up with Dubai-based terminal operator DP World to support the development of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) first deepwater container port.

BII has committed up to $35 million to DP World’s infrastructure project at the Port of Banana, following similar collaborations between the two entities in Senegal, Egypt, and Somaliland. In this new venture, BII will serve as a minority investor, as it has in the other ports within their partnership.

The Port of Banana, with a draft of 17.5 meters, will be capable of accommodating large containerships, establishing it as the DRC’s primary gateway for container imports and exports. According to an evaluation commissioned by BII, these improvements are expected to reduce trade costs in the DRC by 12%.

The port will be developed in multiple phases, with its capacity set to expand progressively. The facility will also be integrated into a broader network of infrastructure, including a free zone and multimodal logistics connections to the country’s major urban centers.

Commenting on the investment, the UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, stated: “This investment from BII will help transform DRC’s economy, establishing the country as a major trading hub on the continent, and providing a significant boost to local sectors from infrastructure, logistics and green energy.”