Private company

Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo

Business; colonial society based in Lubumbashi, founded in 19271

The Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo (LKD) was a railway concession owner in the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo. The network was built, maintained and operated by the Compagnie du chemin de fer du bas-Congo au Katanga (BCK).2 It ceased to exist in 1952.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1927Founded1
  • Industryrail transport1
  • HeadquartersBrussels1

The Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo (LKD) was a railway concession owner in the Congo Free State, Belgian Congo.2

Corporate structure

Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo is part of a group headed by Compagnie du chemin de fer du Bas-Congo au Katanga. 2 entities, 2 countries on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

Built from subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0); major holders from Schedules 13D and 13G. Each entity in the chart links to its source.

The story

The Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo (LKD) was created through a 16 September 1927 agreement between the government and BCK, and was an administrative and financial vehicle.

The government was its main shareholder, and granted it concessions for the three lines: Bukama–Port-Francqui, Tenke–Dilolo and Port-Francqui–Léopoldville.

Construction and operation of the lines was subcontracted to BCK.

BCK was responsible for all the track, and operated the network and equipment as a whole.

The 523 kilometres (325 mi) line from Tenke to Dilolo was completed in 1931.

At Dilolo the BCK network connected to the Benguela railway, which carried goods to the port of Lobito on the Atlantic.

In 1952 LKD merged with Compagnie de Chemin de fer du Katanga CFK to form the Compagnie des Chemins de fer Katanga-Dilolo-Léopoldville (KDL).

KDL held the rail network concessions in Katanga, while BCK was the operator.

From Wikipedia’s article on Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Products and brands

Dilolo - Tenke, (529.9 kilometres (329.3 mi))

Dilolo - Kasaji, (137.6 kilometres (85.5 mi)), opened | June 1930

Kasaji - Manika, Kolwezi, (296.3 kilometres (184.1 mi)), opened 10 March 1931

Manika - Divuma – Tenke, (86.0 kilometres (53.4 mi)), opened 26 April 1931

Read the full text

Divuma – Kisenge mines, (29.4 kilometres (18.3 mi)), opened in 1931, branch line

From Wikipedia’s article on Société des Chemins de fer Léopoldville-Katanga-Dilolo, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Subsidiaries and ownership

Parent company

From Wikidata.1

Acquisitions

  1. Succeeded by Compagnie des Chemins de fer Katanga-Dilolo-Léopoldville1

Timeline

  1. 1952Dissolved Dissolved1
  2. 1927Founded Founded1