Vingroup partners with Kinshasa

Kinshasa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietnam’s Vingroup to study a large-scale urban development and shift toward electric mobility. The deal was sealed in the Congolese capital.

The plan has two parts. First is a new 6,300-hectare district between the southern bank of the Congo River and the area north of N’djili International Airport. The area is set to include housing, hospitals, schools, shops, hotels, and leisure zones. 

It also leaves space for future government offices. Officials hope the project will become a modern extension of the city and a new hub for business and tourism.

The second focus is cleaner transport. The agreement outlines an electric bus system, battery-powered taxis, and a public charging network. VinFast and GSM, both under Vingroup, will lead vehicle supply and charging operations. 

The city will allocate land for charging sites and coordinate permits. More than 300,000 fuel-powered vehicles could eventually be replaced with electric ones. A Bus Rapid Transit system is also being considered.

Kinshasa’s governor, Daniel Bumba Lubaki, called the partnership a major step toward a “modern and livable” capital. Vingroup vice chair Le Thi Thu Thuy said the group aims to use its experience in urban planning and electric mobility to help the city grow sustainably. Both sides described the agreement as a move toward better infrastructure and cleaner air.

Kinshasa, a city of roughly 17 million people, aims to build more homes and services while easing traffic and fuel use. The government sees private partners like Vingroup as key to speeding up progress and bringing in expertise.

The MoU begins a study phase to define budgets, timelines, and responsibilities. How the plan affects nearby communities and how affordable the homes and vehicles will be are among the questions still open. If it moves forward, the partnership could reshape the capital’s landscape and set a model for green development in Central Africa.