AD Ports Group has signed a preliminary agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Transport and state transport body Onatra to explore the development and operation of a multipurpose terminal at Matadi port.

The letter sets out a framework for cooperation between the Abu Dhabi-based ports and logistics group and the Congolese authorities, with a view to upgrading capacity and improving operational efficiency at the country’s main Atlantic gateway.

The heads of terms were signed in Abu Dhabi by DRC deputy prime minister and transport minister Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo and AD Ports Group managing director and chief executive Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi.

Under the agreement, the parties will assess the scope for developing and operating a multipurpose terminal capable of handling growing import and export volumes, as the DRC looks to strengthen its trade links and logistics infrastructure.

Matadi is a critical hub for the Congolese economy, handling the bulk of the country’s seaborne trade and serving as a key entry point for cargo moving inland and across borders in central Africa.

AD Ports Group has been steadily expanding its footprint on the continent, with ports, logistics and maritime investments already in place in Egypt, Tanzania, Angola and the Republic of the Congo. The potential Matadi project would add the DRC to its African portfolio as the group continues to push into emerging trade corridors.