The Matadi–Kinshasa corridor
Matadi–Kinshasa: the most direct route between the sea and the capital.
A national seaport, a national road, a reopened railway: the Matadi–Kinshasa corridor is the vital logistics artery of western DRC. MCTC is investing to make it a benchmark.
Kinshasa’s entire economy breathes through Kongo Central. The capital’s consumer goods, industrial inputs and exports pass almost entirely along the axis linking Matadi to Kinshasa. By modernising the container terminal at the Port of Matadi, MCTC is strengthening the maritime link of this corridor — and with it, the competitiveness of the whole chain.
Direct calls at Matadi, instead of break of bulk
There are two competing ways to reach Kinshasa. The first lands cargo in a neighbouring port — Pointe-Noire in particular — followed by a long road haul, a border crossing and a river crossing: so many breaks of bulk, delays and uncertainties. The second calls directly at Matadi, the DRC’s own seaport: a single discharge, a single customs clearance on national territory, then roughly 350 km to the capital [TO BE CONFIRMED]. MSC feeder services link Matadi to the hubs of Pointe-Noire and Lomé [TO BE CONFIRMED], connecting the terminal to the entire global shipping network. The result: less handling, controlled costs, and cargo that stays under Congolese customs control from end to end.
The RN1 national road
The RN1 links Matadi to Kinshasa over around 350 km [TO BE CONFIRMED]. It is today the corridor’s main artery, carrying most containers to the capital with a transit time of about one day [TO BE CONFIRMED]. The terminal gate (Monday–Saturday, 06:00–18:00 [TO BE CONFIRMED]) and weighbridge weighing are organised for fast, compliant truck turnarounds.
The CFMK railway, reopened in September 2025
The Matadi–Kinshasa railway (CFMK) returned to service in September 2025 — a turning point for the corridor. MCTC’s modernisation programme includes a direct, 2-track rail connection to the terminal: in time, container trains will depart from the quay for Kinshasa, with no intermediate road transfer. Rail delivers what road alone cannot guarantee: consolidation of volumes, regularity and a lower carbon footprint. The terminal’s rail services will open progressively, in step with the line’s ramp-up (service coming soon).
The corridor in figures
The corridor in figures
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Matadi–Kinshasa distance via the RN1 | ~350 km [TO BE CONFIRMED] |
| CFMK rail distance | ~366 km [TO BE CONFIRMED] |
| Indicative road transit time | ~1 day [TO BE CONFIRMED] |
| CFMK reopening | September 2025 |
| MCTC terminal capacity | ~200,000 TEU/year today [TO BE CONFIRMED] → 400,000 TEU/year by 2027 |
| Terminal volumes — year 1 | ~85,000 TEU, ~120 vessel calls [TO BE CONFIRMED] |
| Maritime connections | MSC feeder services via Pointe-Noire and Lomé [TO BE CONFIRMED] |
One corridor, coordinated players
The port transit involves the regulators of Congolese foreign trade: the DGDA for customs, the OCC for cargo inspection, OGEFREM for freight management (mandatory FERI) and the SEGUCE single window for paperless formalities. MCTC works with each of them daily to keep cargo moving smoothly — see the full details in our procedures & documents.
Make the Matadi–Kinshasa corridor your route of reference.
Our commercial teams study your cargo flows and propose a port transit solution tailored to your needs.