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Zaire TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Roads: Network of approximately 145,000
kilometers, but
only 2,500 kilometers paved. Vast interior virtually
devoid of
roads. Entire network in serious disrepair in early 1990s.
Railroads: 5,138 kilometers in three
discontinuous lines:
one linking Kinshasa and Matadi, another in northeastern
Zaire, and
another in southeastern Zaire to export minerals. National
Route
(Voie Nationale) combines rail and river transport network
between
copper-mining region of Shaba and principal port of
Matadi. Whole
rail system in desperate need of repair in early 1990s.
Inland Waterways: Traditionally important, but
limited in
early 1990s because barges old and in short supply and
marking of
navigable channels neglected. Congo River most significant
waterway
for passengers and freight between Kinshasa and Kisangani.
In late
1993, riverboats between Kinshasa and Kisangani said to
have ceased
operating because of lack of fuel and spare parts.
Ports: Ports limited because Zaire has tiny
Atlantic
coastline of about forty kilometers. Matadi on lower Congo
River
principal port, but not accessible by large vessels, also
Atlantic
port at Boma and inland ports at Kinshasa and at Ilebo on
Kasai
River.
Air Transport: Principal airport at Kinshasa
badly
damaged by looting in late 1991, subsequently used by few
foreign
airlines. Travelers could fly to Brazzaville in Congo and
continue
to Kinshasa by ferry across Congo River. Domestic air
services
deteriorated in 1980s and 1990s. National carrier, Air
Zaire,
virtually bankrupt.
Telecommunications: In 1990 about 32,000
telephones, most
in Kinshasa. Adequate international service, domestic
service
limited. In early 1990s, entire system dysfunctional.
Residents of
most larger towns could receive radio and television
programming.
In 1990 estimated 40,000 television sets and 3.7 million
radio
receivers, but system in poor condition. Only reliable
national
radio network said to be that run by Roman Catholic
Church.
Data as of December 1993
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