The Democratic Republic of Congo is moving forward with plans to launch the first line of its long-awaited Kinshasa subway system by November 27, 2027, as authorities finalize studies, financing arrangements and a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.
The update followed a February 14 meeting in Rotterdam between Infrastructure and Public Works Minister John Banza and Jean-Pierre Van Erps, coordinator of the Tramways de Kinshasa consortium. During the meeting, Banza handed over the original preliminary agreement signed on October 8, 2025, formally sealed by the ministry.
The project, overseen by the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), is designed to ease chronic congestion in Kinshasa, one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. Plans include seven modern rail lines built using prefabricated hybrid track technology under an exclusive license, along with customized energy systems and upgrades to key urban corridors.
Authorities said several steps remain before construction can begin in full, including aligning technical studies, consolidating a legally protected implementation timeline, arranging financing and concluding the PPP agreement.
The Tramways de Kinshasa consortium — comprising Prume Tramway RDC, Frateur-De Pourcq and PowerChina — has already deployed more than 60 engineers to Kinshasa for technical missions. Studies based on historical city plans identified the need for 173 bridges between the downtown area and N’djili International Airport.
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Beyond rail transport, the project integrates drainage, rainwater collection and treatment systems aimed at mitigating flooding and improving access to potable water in underserved districts.
In parallel, Congolese firm Congo Trans S.A.R.L. is developing a separate three-line rail initiative in the capital, with total investment estimated at about US$205 million. In June 2025, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Moroccan firm Balkan Ingénierie S.A.R.L. for engineering and construction supervision services valued at roughly US$8.5 million.
If completed on schedule, the Kinshasa metro would mark a major milestone in the country’s infrastructure modernization drive and could significantly reshape mobility and economic activity in Central Africa’s largest urban hub.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has long grappled with severe transport congestion in its capital, Kinshasa, a city of more than 15 million people with limited mass transit infrastructure. Rapid urbanization, aging road networks, and chronic flooding have intensified mobility challenges, particularly along key corridors linking the city center to N’djili International Airport.
Efforts to modernize public transport have been under discussion for years but have faced delays due to financing constraints, institutional bottlenecks, and governance challenges. The current subway initiative, overseen by the Congolese Agency for Major Works (ACGT), represents one of the most ambitious urban infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the country.
The project is structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) involving the Tramways de Kinshasa consortium, which includes Prume Tramway RDC, Frateur-De Pourcq and PowerChina. Authorities aim to develop seven rail lines supported by 173 bridges, alongside drainage and flood-control systems to address Kinshasa’s recurring water management issues.
The planned launch date of November 27, 2027, aligns symbolically with national milestones and reflects the government’s broader push to accelerate infrastructure development as part of its urban modernization agenda. If completed on schedule, the metro could significantly ease congestion, improve connectivity, and reshape economic activity in Central Africa’s largest metropolitan area.
