** Kinshasa: traffic jams, a complex issue at the cross of users **
On May 19, 2025, the situation of traffic jams on the main traffic lanes of Kinshasa, especially on the By-Pass and Matadi roads, aroused the attention of road and public users. According to testimonies, the construction of separators on these road axes is deemed necessary to mitigate traffic which sometimes makes the journey endless. Chadrack Mayala, a public transport bus driver, stresses that the absence of these infrastructures significantly contributes to daily inconvenience, generating excessively long journey times, up to three hours between certain points.
This traffic jaming problem is not new and draws attention to a broader challenge that big cities meet, especially in a country in full development such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The lack of separators, in fact, is a reflection of the road infrastructure, often faulty and in constant need for rehabilitation. The rapid urbanization of Kinshasa, which houses a rapidly growing population, leads to traffic volumes which, combined with limited infrastructure, exacerbate the phenomenon of traffic jams.
** A multifactorial phenomenon **
Other factors, often cited by users, are added to those already mentioned. Lack of road cobwear and highway code are frequently highlighted. Mrs. Philo Beyama, a resident of the Badiadingi district, calls for a stricter education for mototaxis and taxi-bus drivers, who, according to her, play a significant role in the congestion of roads. This raises crucial questions about the responsibility of drivers, but also on the role of institutions in road education.
Urban planning and traffic management also represent a dilemma. The growing demand for mobility in a city where public transport is often insufficient requires strategic responses. It appears that current infrastructure is not in line with the current volume of traffic, and this discrepancy is at the origin of many frustrations. But how can we overcome these inadequacies, and what role can government actors play in this process?
** Call for action and necessary collaboration **
The points mentioned by users illustrate a clear demand for greater involvement of the government. The competent authorities, including the Ministry of Town Planning and Habitat, as well as the provincial infrastructure division and the National Road Maintenance Fund (FONER), are arrested by these testimonies. Collaboration between citizens, transport companies and the government is essential to work collectively on sustainable solutions. This could not only include the construction of separators, but also awareness campaigns on respect for the highway code and a revision of public transport policies.
By agreeing to consider the points of view of users, it would be possible to develop a shared vision of mobility in Kinshasa. What measures could be implemented to integrate the needs of users while ensuring fluid and secure circulation? What place to give to education and awareness in these approaches? These are questions that deserve to be analyzed more in depth to improve the quality of life in the Congolese capital.
** In conclusion **
The traffic jams in the city of Kinshasa, although perceived as a simple problem of traffic, open up a vast debate on the challenges of town planning, education, and responsibility in the management of infrastructure. A collective approach seems necessary to approach this difficulty effectively and create a more fluid and user -friendly urban environment. The voices of users, like those of Chadrack Mayala and Philo Beyama, are crucial in this quest for solutions, and their listening could mark a significant step towards improved mobility for all.