Kinshasa's public transport operator Transco plans to introduce electronic ticketing from May 1, 2026, as part of a broader effort to modernize fare collection. The project is backed by the Ministry of Transport.

The initiative builds on a drive launched in October 2025 to digitize ticket sales and improve revenue tracking.

Under the new system, passengers will use a smart transport card to board buses. The cards will be available from Transco agents and can be topped up online via mobile money platforms or at selected company stops.

The reform will gradually phase out physical tickets and cash payments rather than eliminate them outright. It has two main goals: easing access to buses and improving revenue tracking.

In October 2025, then-interim director general Solange Kabedi Odra said digitalization would help upgrade operations and improve the management of financial flows in the capital.

The project is being implemented with support from Congolese firm Pimacle and Equity BCDC. Pimacle was selected from several technical proposals, while Equity BCDC is providing support on financial and digital inclusion.

The modernization comes as pressure on urban transport in Kinshasa remains high. To strengthen capacity, Transco is also working to rebuild its fleet. In March 2026, several media outlets reported that the company still expected to take delivery of 80 buses under a contract for 230 vehicles signed with Congo Suprême Automobile. It has also announced a public-private partnership to acquire 1,000 Foton buses.

Beyond the technological shift, the digitalization of ticketing forms part of a broader recovery strategy aimed at securing revenue, improving service quality and modernizing management. While May 1, 2026, is the date highlighted in official communications, the system’s rollout in the coming months will determine whether it can deliver lasting change to public transport in Kinshasa.

Ronsard Luabeya