The European Investment Bank (EIB) will help Kinshasa address various issues, related to solid waste treatment, wastewater and stormwater management, climate change adaptation, and urban mobility. Svetla Stoeva, EIB Director in Central and Southern Africa, told the Congolese press on November 9, 2024. Stoeva met the media after discussing with Kinshasa Governor, Daniel Bumba Lubaki. He was with various EIB executives he had led in the Congolese capital.

According to the EIB executive, Kinshasa, which houses over 20 million people, faces significant challenges such as recurrent flooding often caused by blocked drains filled with solid waste and chronic traffic congestion that disrupts residents' quality of life and the national economy.

Commenting on how the institution plans to help address these issues, Stoeva said “The EIB considers several support avenues”. He added the institution offers low-rate loans. 

The goal is to improve solid waste management and water treatment while integrating climate adaptation measures and enhancing traffic flow through improved urban infrastructure. Further consultations are planned to assess specific needs.

Corridors

EIB also considers supporting the transport sector, particularly in regional corridors like Lobito and Douala-Bangui-Kampala. These are vital for trade and multimodal transport in Central and East Africa. 

The EIB delegation discussed this with Jean-Pierre Bemba, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications. The talks covered concessional loans’ potential to improve rail, road, and dry port infrastructures, ultimately boosting agricultural production and critical raw material value chains.

This is not the EIB's first commitment to urban development in Africa; similar projects in cities such as Abidjan, Cotonou, and Nairobi have significantly reduced sanitation and mobility issues. Kinshasa could leverage these experiences to maximize the impact of planned investments.

Overall, the EIB-Kinshasa partnership reflects joint efforts to tackle the city’s pressing urban challenges while fostering sustainable development through strategic investments in infrastructure and services.

This article was initially published in French, by Olivier de Souza.

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho