About Kinshasa

With a population of 9.5 million, Kinshasa is the third largest city on the African continent, equal in size to Johannesburg. The Kinois (inhabitants of Kinshasa) are known for their sense of humour, their music and their love for dancing.

Kinshasa is a vibrant city of sharp contrasts. Commercial affluence and extreme poverty are found side by side. The two main languages spoken in Kinshasa are Lingala and French.

Kinshasa is located along the southern bank of the Congo River, facing Brazzaville, the capital of neighboring Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa and Brazzaville are the only two capitals in the world that are in direct view of each other.

The Boulevard du 30 Juin is the main artery of Kinshasa and cuts right across the city. Three important areas are the governmental area, the ‘cité de l'OUA’, ‘the Zone the Matonge’, popular for its nightlife and the commercial and residential area of ‘Gombe’.

Kinshasa is frequently referred to as the capital of African music due to its popular music called ‘Ndombolo’. Papa Wemba and Kofi Olomide are two of the most popular Kinshasa-based bands.

Kinshasa’s infrastructure leaves much to be wished for. There are no rail links inland and road connections to much of the rest of the country are in poor condition or scarce. The airport of N’Djili connects the city to the outside world with regular flights going to the Belgian capital Brussels.