<Ul> <Li> Luapula </Li> </Ul> <P> Although the Livingstone Falls prevent access from the sea, nearly the entire Congo above them is readily navigable in sections, especially between Kinshasa and Kisangani . Large river steamers worked the river until quite recently . The Congo River still is a lifeline in a land with few roads or railways . </P> <P> Railways now bypass the three major falls, and much of the trade of Central Africa passes along the river, including copper, palm oil (as kernels), sugar, coffee, and cotton . The river is also potentially valuable for hydroelectric power, and the Inga Dams below Pool Malebo are first to exploit the Congo river . </P> <P> The Congo River is the most powerful river in Africa . During the rainy season over 50,000 cubic metres (1,800,000 cu ft) of water per second flow into the Atlantic Ocean . Opportunities for the Congo River and its tributaries to generate hydropower are therefore enormous . Scientists have calculated that the entire Congo Basin accounts for 13 percent of global hydropower potential . This would provide sufficient power for all of sub-Saharan Africa's electricity needs . </P>

Why is the congo river not navigable for its entire course