The World Bank has approved a US$250 million financing package to support waste management reform and job creation in Kinshasa, where overflowing rubbish and weak infrastructure have become major urban challenges.
The funding is part of a broader US$900 million urban development programme aimed at transforming service delivery in one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities.
Kinshasa, capital of Democratic Republic of the Congo, produces an estimated 12,000 tonnes of waste every day, but about 98 percent of it is either dumped or burned in the open due to limited collection systems.
The new initiative, named “Kin la Belle,” seeks to reverse this trend by building a structured waste management system, including collection points, transfer stations and integrated treatment facilities across selected municipalities. Authorities say the model could later be expanded citywide.
The programme is also designed to address worsening urban flooding, which is partly driven by blocked drainage systems caused by uncollected waste. Officials say improving sanitation infrastructure will reduce flood risk and improve public health in densely populated areas.
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A second pillar of the project focuses on economic development, including investment in riverbank infrastructure and transport services along the Congo River, which plays a central role in the city’s mobility and informal trade networks.
The third component targets employment creation, particularly for young people and women. Labour-intensive public works and support for micro and small enterprises in recycling and waste recovery are expected to generate thousands of jobs.
World Bank officials say the initiative is intended to combine infrastructure development with economic inclusion in a city where rapid population growth has far outpaced basic service delivery.
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“Kinshasa is precisely where the World Bank’s global expertise in urban development can make the biggest difference,” said Albert Zeufack, the bank’s regional director, describing the programme as a pathway to cleaner streets and improved livelihoods.
Kinshasa’s population has surged to more than 17 million people, and projections suggest it could become Africa’s largest city by 2030. However, the expansion has strained already limited public services, particularly in sanitation, housing and transport.
Urban analysts say the waste crisis has become one of the city’s most visible governance challenges, contributing not only to environmental degradation but also to recurring health risks in low-income neighbourhoods.
The World Bank estimates that the lack of effective waste collection contributes to clogged drainage systems, increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rains. Open dumping and burning of waste also worsen air pollution and disease transmission.
The new programme will complement existing initiatives such as Kin Elenda and PRIUR, which focus on infrastructure expansion, water and electricity access, and climate resilience.
Development experts say the success of the plan will depend on sustained funding, institutional coordination and local participation, particularly in informal settlements where waste management systems are weakest.
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If implemented effectively, officials hope the project will not only improve sanitation conditions but also establish a more sustainable urban management model for rapidly growing African cities facing similar pressures.
For now, attention will turn to how quickly the financing translates into on-the-ground improvements in a city where waste piles and flooding remain daily realities for millions of residents.
