The World Bank allocates $250 million to address the waste crisis in Kinshasa.
Kinshasa produces approximately 12,000 tons of waste daily.
Written by: Mohammed Salem
The World Bank announced that it will provide $250 million to finance the Kinshasa Urban Transformation and Job Creation Program, known as “Kin la Belle”, in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to a statement from the World Bank, the funding will contribute to improving solid waste management services and creating inclusive job opportunities in the Congolese capital.
This initiative is also part of a broader World Bank financing program totaling approximately $900 million, with urban sanitation and job creation at the heart of the program.
Three basic pillars of the program
First, the program will establish an effective solid waste management system with the aim of providing a cleaner environment for the capital. This system will include collection points, transfer stations, and an integrated waste management center in selected municipalities, based on a model that local authorities can widely implement throughout the city.
Second, the program will support future investments aimed at expanding access to economic opportunities. These investments will include the development of the Congo River banks and transportation services along its length.
Third: The program will provide employment opportunities for women and youth through labor-intensive public works and will support small and medium enterprises in the waste value chain.
Albert Zovác, World Bank Country Director for Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sao Tome and Principe, said: “Kinshasa is precisely where the World Bank’s global expertise in urban development can make the biggest difference, and the impact will be tangible: cleaner streets, less flooding, and real jobs for the young Congolese who represent the future of this city.”.
Fastest growing major cities in Africa
Kinshasa is among the fastest-growing megacities in Africa. With a population of over 17 million, it could become the continent's largest city by 2030. However, this rapid expansion has outpaced the development of basic urban services.
The World Bank estimates that the city produces about 12,000 tons of waste per day, and residents dump or burn 98% of it in open spaces.
The World Bank explained: “Uncollected waste clogs drainage systems, exacerbates flooding risks, and spreads disease in densely populated, low-income neighborhoods. Meanwhile, youth unemployment remains a serious problem, highlighting the urgent need to create more good jobs.”.
