Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works

Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works
Ministère des Infrastructures et Travaux Publics
Agency overview
FormedAt independence in 1960 as the Ministry of Public Works
Preceding agencies
  • Ministry of Public Works (1960–1964; 2001–2005)
  • Ministry of Public Works, Communications and Transport (1964–1965)
  • Ministry of Public Works, Territorial Planning and Urban Development (1965–1997)
  • Ministry of Emergency Works (1997–2001)
JurisdictionGovernment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
HeadquartersGombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Minister responsible
  • John Banza Lunda, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works
Websitehttps://infrastructures.gouv.cd/

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works (French: Ministère des Infrastructures et Travaux Publics,[1] often abbreviated MITP)[2] is a government ministry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo responsible for planning, developing, constructing, and maintaining the country's public infrastructure, as well as formulating and implementing policies governing major infrastructure systems such as roads, ports, airports, railways, and hydroelectric installations. It also directs the construction and maintenance of public facilities such as educational institutions, healthcare centers, and government buildings.[1] The ministry's headquarters are located on Roi Baudouin Avenue in Gombe, Kinshasa.[3]

It supervises civil engineering and infrastructure projects funded by the Congolese government and international partners. Its responsibilities include preparing and monitoring public procurement contracts related to infrastructure studies and construction projects, promoting appropriate construction standards and engineering techniques, regulating construction companies and consulting firms in the sector, and ensuring compliance with technical and legal requirements.[1] In addition to infrastructure development, the ministry manages certain public assets, including the state vehicle fleet, fuel stocks, and government-owned real estate. Since the Democratic Republic of the Congo's independence in 1960, the ministry has played a significant role in shaping and modernizing the country's infrastructure network.[1][4] The ministry is currently headed by John Banza Lunda, who has served as Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works since August 2025.[4]

Responsibilities

  • Design, construction, modernization, development, planning, and maintenance of road, port, airport, railway, non-concessioned hydroelectric, educational, health, social, tourism, and sports infrastructure, as well as public buildings and facilities, in collaboration, where necessary, with the sectoral ministries concerned with infrastructure projects;[1]
  • Design, construction, development, and maintenance of national drainage, sanitation, and anti-erosion works;
  • Preparation, awarding, monitoring, and supervision of public procurement contracts related to civil engineering studies and works financed by the Government and external partners, in collaboration with the ministries responsible for finance, budget, and planning;[1]
  • Technical and financial monitoring and control of studies and works carried out either by public administration or by private contractors;
  • Expert assessment and counter-expertise concerning studies related to public works and state movable property;
  • Promotion of construction materials and techniques;
  • Registration and accreditation of companies, consulting firms, and independent professionals operating in the construction sector;
  • Inventory, analysis, and interpretation of data related to infrastructure and equipment;[1]
  • Development of construction standards;
  • Monitoring compliance with legal, regulatory, and technical standards related to construction;
  • Formulation of reconstruction policy in collaboration with the relevant ministries;
  • Management of the State vehicle fleet;[1]
  • Management of State fuel stocks and monitoring of fuel consumption;
  • Management of real estate assets within the state's public domain, as well as all related equipment.[1]

History

Since the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, every government that has succeeded one another has maintained a ministerial portfolio responsible for infrastructure, which was originally known as the Ministry of Public Works. Over time, the designation of this institution changed in accordance with the political orientations and strategic priorities established by the country's leaders.[4] During the First Republic, it operated as the Ministry of Public Works before being renamed the Ministry of Public Works, Communications and Transport between 1964 and 1965, after which it reverted to its former title of Ministry of Public Works, Territorial Planning and Urban Development from 1965 to 1997 during the Second Republic, and later the Ministry of Emergency Works, a title it retained until January 2001.[4]

Between 2001 and 2005, it again took the name Ministry of Public Works while also assuming responsibilities related to territorial administration and development.[4] In 2005, under the presidency of Joseph Kabila, and as part of his initiative to modernize national infrastructure through the "Five Projects of the Republic" program, the institution was renamed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction, with additional responsibilities at certain times for territorial planning, urban planning, and housing.[4] However, a presidential ordinance issued on 27 March 2020, which defines the organization and functioning of the Congolese government and the responsibilities of its ministries, restored the name Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works.[1]

Ministers

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works has been successively led since 1960 by the following ministers:[4]

Minister Portfolio Assumed office Left office
Alphonse Ilunga Infrastructure and Public Works 30 June 1960 12 September 1960
Joseph Masanga Infrastructure and Public Works 19 September 1960 9 February 1961
Alphonse Ilunga Infrastructure and Public Works 9 February 1961 11 July 1962
Albert Delvaux Public Works 11 July 1962 18 April 1963
Jules Léon Kodicho Transport, Communications and Public Works 10 July 1964 18 October 1965
Albert Delvaux Public Works 18 October 1965 28 November 1965
Jean Bolikango Public Works 28 November 1965 25 October 1966
Alphonse Ilunga Public Works 16 August 1968 31 July 1969
Alexis Tambwe Mwamba Public Works 6 June 1994 2 April 1997
Agnes Loteta Dimandja Public Works, Territorial Planning and Urban Development 11 April 1997 20 May 1997
Étienne Mbaya Emergency Works 20 May 1997 16 July 1997
Gustave Bishikuabo Kubaka Public Works July 1997 July 1998
Anatole Tshumbala Bishikwabo Public Works, Territorial Administration and Development July 1998 March 1999
Jean Yagi Sitolo Public Works March 1999 Unknown
José Endundo Bonange Public Works Unknown 30 June 2003
José Makila Sumanda Public Works 30 June 2003 17 February 2005
Pierre Lumbi Okongo Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction 17 February 2005 19 February 2010
Fridolin Kasweshi Misoka Territorial Planning, Urban Planning and Housing 19 February 2010 14 November 2016
Thomas Luhaka Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction 19 December 2016 6 September 2019
Willy Ngoopos Sunzhel Infrastructure, Public Works and Reconstruction 6 September 2019 26 April 2021
Alexis Gisaro Muvunyi Infrastructure and Public Works 26 April 2021 12 August 2025
John Banza Lunda Infrastructure and Public Works 12 August 2025 Incumbent

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "27 mars 2020 - Ordonnance n°20/016 portant organisation et fonctionnement du Gouvernement, modalités de collaboration entre le Président de la République et le Gouvernement ainsi qu'entre les Membres du Gouvernement, col. 1" [27 March 2020 - Ordinance No. 20/016 concerning the organization and operation of the Government, modalities of collaboration between the President of the Republic and the Government as well as between the Members of the Government, col. 1.] (PDF). Leganet.cd (in French). Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Journal Officiel de la République Démocratique du Congo. 27 April 2020. pp. 31–32. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  2. ^ "Étude d'impact environnemental et social (EIES) des travaux de reconstruction du pont Mfusu et de réhabilitation de la route d'accès au centre d'enfouissement technique de Mpasa dans la ville-province de Kinshasa, en République démocratique du Congo" [Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the reconstruction works of the Mfusu bridge and the rehabilitation of the access road to the Mpasa technical landfill center in the city-province of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo] (PDF). Worldbank.org (in French). February 2024. p. 51. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  3. ^ Ntela, Théophile Lungumba. "Ministère des Infrastructures et Travaux Publics: Cellule Infrastructures" [Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works: Infrastructure Unit] (PDF). Afdb.org. Abidjan, Ivory Coast: African Development Bank. p. 2. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Histoire du ministère" [History of the Ministry]. infrastructures.gouv.cd (in French). Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Works. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
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