A project to modernise public transportation through the introduction of electric buses is under review in Kasai-Oriental province, according to the provincial governor’s office after an official meeting in Mbujimayi.
On Jan. 23, 2026, Governor Jean-Paul Mbwebwa Kapo received a delegation from StarCharge at his official residence. The delegation was led by Andrew Tan, the company’s regional head for Africa and the Pacific. According to the governor’s office, the initiative follows discussions launched during the governor’s official visit to China in November 2024, which explored the possibility of technical and financial partnerships to address urban mobility challenges in the province.
During the Jan. 23 meeting, the two sides discussed assessing local conditions for the creation of a public transport company built around electric mobility. “At its core, the project is green electric mobility. It includes not only electric buses, but also energy production from renewable sources such as solar and wind, as well as the design of charging stations. It is an entire development chain that can also benefit schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure,” Tan said.
The governor’s office said a team of StarCharge engineers has already been deployed on the ground to carry out feasibility studies. The work includes assessing costs, implementation timelines and the different operational phases, in coordination with provincial technical services.
No amount or definitive schedule has been communicated at this stage. However, the provincial executive mentioned 2026 as the target year for completion, subject to the conclusions of the ongoing studies and the structuring of the partnership.
StarCharge is a Chinese company specialising in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and related mobility solutions. It operates networks of charging stations and develops energy management platforms. Its operations are mainly concentrated in China, where it works with several automakers and companies in the new energy sector.
Boaz Kabeya
