The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has unveiled a $58 billion master plan aimed at rebuilding and modernizing its critical infrastructure, as part of a broader $500 billion mega-partnership announced with the United States.
The plan was presented on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, by Minister of Foreign Trade Julien Paluku during a high-level discussion on national investment priorities.
“I am proposing a structured master plan worth $58 billion, focusing on priority projects such as national, provincial, and agricultural roads,” said Paluku.
The Minister emphasized that targeted investments in key sectors could unlock even greater financial potential.
He estimated that investing $1 million per kilometer in road infrastructure could require $20 billion, while allocating $1,000 per hectare across 80 million hectares of arable land could mobilize $80 billion.
Paluku used these figures to highlight the scale of DRC’s needs compared to the pledged U.S. investment.
“The $500 billion announced is a significant gesture, but still far below what is required to match our national potential.
Our mineral wealth alone is estimated at $24 trillion. How do we ensure this value is integrated into the partnership?” he asked.
According to a local consortium of analysts, the plan signals a strategic effort by the DRC to reposition itself economically and diplomatically on the global stage. However, experts caution that funding commitments must be matched by sound execution.
“It’s not just about announcing big numbers. Implementation mechanisms, transparency, and project absorption capacity at the national level will determine success,” said one economist.
He stressed that clearly identifying priority projects and ensuring they are grounded in local realities is crucial to moving from ambition to action.
If effectively structured and governed, the plan has the potential to transform the DRC into a major logistics and agricultural hub in Central Africa. But translating promises into durable infrastructure will require a focus on transparency, good governance, and local capacity-building.