Kolwezi makes history with its first road interchange

Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo — On June 11, 2025, Kolwezi celebrated a historic milestone with the inauguration of its very first road interchange. The event, presided over by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka, marks a turning point in the modernization of the city’s urban infrastructure.

A Landmark Infrastructure Project for the Heart of the Copperbelt

The Kolwezi interchange is only the second of its kind in the entire Democratic Republic of Congo, following the Limite Interchange in Kinshasa.

Designed and built by Entreprise Générale Malta Forrest (EGMF) together with Congo Energy, both subsidiaries of the Forrest Group, the project features:

• 2.5 kilometers of paved road,

• two major bridges of 57 and 21 meters,

• and a solar-powered lighting system of 154 streetlamps.

“This is an extraordinary project. Never before has the city seen such infrastructure,” said Malta D. Forrest, CEO of the Forrest Group.

Transforming Mobility in Kolwezi

Located in one of the busiest traffic zones of the city, the new interchange is expected to significantly ease congestion, improve road safety, and boost trade and mobility across Kolwezi, the capital of the cobalt-rich Lualaba province.

“In terms of scale, technical design, and impact, this interchange represents a spectacular leap forward for mobility in Kolwezi,” added Forrest.

A Congolese Achievement

Beyond the engineering feat, the interchange is also a celebration of Congolese expertise. Over 95% of the workforce — engineers, masons, steel workers, carpenters — were Congolese professionals, most of them trained within the Forrest Group itself.

“This project was carried out by a Congolese company, with Congolese capital, and Congolese know-how,” emphasized the Group’s CEO.

Looking Ahead: A Second Interchangt

The Forrest Group has already announced a second, even more ambitious interchange project in Kolwezi: a two-level structure with five bridges — the first of its kind in the country.

“With over a century of experience, we remain committed to building modern, sustainable infrastructure and to supporting the government’s vision for a stronger, more connected DRC,” concluded Forrest.

A Symbol of Partnership

For the people of Kolwezi, the new interchange is more than just an infrastructure project. It is a symbol of ambition, progress, and a successful partnership between the Congolese state and one of its most historic private sector partners — the Groupe Forrest, rooted in the city since 1922.