** Kinshasa, heart vibrating with a moving agglomeration: challenges and perspectives of urban transport **
On May 29, 2025, the Provincial Assembly of Kinshasa announced for the next day a plenary session devoted to a question of crucial importance for the daily life of the inhabitants: the congestion of traffic in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The provincial Minister of Transport and Urban Mobility, Bob Amisso, is summoned to respond to the concerns of provincial elected officials, highlighting a problem whose repercussions extend far beyond the simple traffic jams.
### A context of growth and emergency
Kinshasa, with an estimated population of more than 10 million inhabitants, is the largest city in DRC and one of the most dynamic in Central Africa. Its rapid development and rampant urbanization have caused major infrastructure and transport challenges. The observation is clear: road congestion has become an almost omnipresent characteristic of the city, causing not only inconvenience for users, but also significant economic impacts.
The traffic jams in the capital are not only the result of insufficient road infrastructure. They are also the fruit of an organization of transport which struggles to meet growing demand. The recent decree relating to the fixing of new prices for public transport, although an event to regulate the sector, risks not to provide the expected solutions if the circulation remains also chaotic.
### The question of traffic schedules
In an attempt to remedy this situation, the provincial government has introduced restrictive measures concerning the circulation of vehicles over 20 tonnes, authorizing their circulation only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. If this initiative aims to lighten the roads during rush hour, it raises several questions. What will be the real consequences on the local economy, especially for industrialists and traders who depend on these transport? Can this measure be enough to improve the flow of circulation, or does it require other supplements?
Short -term solutions, although necessary, do not seem sufficient in the face of the structural challenges that arise. Kinshasa road infrastructures must be assessed and modernized to meet the contemporary needs of city dwellers. In addition, initiatives aimed at encouraging public transport, which represent a viable alternative to unclog the roads, deserve to be put forward.
### A long -term vision for urban mobility
The debate to be held in the Provincial Assembly will therefore have to be a broader reflection on urban mobility in Kinshasa. Beyond occasional measures, it might be appropriate to consider an integrated approach that includes public transport, cycle paths, and walking promotion. Experiments carried out in other African cities could serve as inspiration, particularly in terms of cooperation between the municipality, transport companies and the community.
It is also fundamental to take into account the social dimension of this problem. How are the different strata of the population affected by road congestion? What are the voices of those whose daily concerns are often overshadowed in this type of debate? Inclusive in the decision-making process could strengthen urban conviviality and the well-being of the inhabitants.
### Conclusion: towards a sustainable transport policy
While Kinshasa is preparing for this plenary session, it is crucial to keep in mind that road congestion is symptomatic of a wider crisis which calls for adapted and thoughtful responses. The challenges posed by urban mobility should not be seen as insurmountable obstacles, but as necessary innovation and reform opportunities.
The path to more fluid and organized circulation in Kinshasa implies a collective commitment, going beyond the palliative measures. Only a long -term vision, taking into account the evolutionary needs of the population, will really be able to transform the urban landscape and make Kinshasa a city where life and move. The question now arises is whether decision -makers will be able to seize this opportunity to initiate the necessary changes.