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Nomad Score: 39%

Essentials

🏙️ City Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located on the banks of the Congo River.
👥 Population Approximately 14 million people.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speeds of around 10-15 Mbps, with some areas offering up to 20 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 USD ≈ 2,000 CDF (Congolese Franc). Major banks include BCDC, Rawbank, and the Congolese Postal Bank.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power Electricity operates at 230V, 50Hz, with Type C and F plugs.
📶 SIM Card Available mobile providers include Vodacom, Airtel, and Orange. SIM cards can be purchased at kiosks and shops.
💳 Banking for Expats Various international banks like Ecobank and local options. Services like TransferWise can be used for money transfers.
🛌 Accommodation Options include Airbnb and local listings on Jumia House.
💳 Cashless Friendly Limited; cash is preferred, but some establishments accept cards.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb and local property sites like Afrikrea offer short-term rental options.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostels like Kinshasa Hostel and guesthouses like La Fleur are available.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The Gombe area is popular for its nightlife, attractions, and accessibility.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Gombe and Ngaliema provide access to coworking spaces and amenities with a better infrastructure.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space COWO Kinshasa offers shared office space and networking opportunities.
Best Cafe for Work Cafe Kivu on Avenue Colonel Mondjiba is known for its good coffee and conducive working environment.
💼 Networking Events Events often organized by the Kinshasa Entrepreneurs Club and Expats in Kinshasa Facebook groups.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Regular meetups and social gatherings at venues like The Lounge and local expatriate organizations.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Taxify is widely used, but traditional taxis are also available and can be arranged through hotel concierge services.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Limited, but some local companies provide bike rentals in specific areas.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Lake Kivu, located approximately 4 hours away, is the closest beach escape.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Congo Airways operates regional flights.
✈️ Top International Airline Air France and Brussels Airlines provide international connections.
🛣️ Highway Access Accessible via Route National No 1 connecting to various regions.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Gare de Kinshasa serves as the primary transit station for rail travel.
🚍 Public Transport Passes No standardized public transport passes; fares are typically paid in cash.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses and shared taxis (shared vans) are commonly used for intercity travel.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Clinique Sainte Anne and Hopital Ngaliema are among the best medical facilities in Kinshasa.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Studio Kin is a popular place for yoga enthusiasts.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Fitness Planet offers various fitness programs and facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Laverie du Fleuve offers laundry services across various districts.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App Jumia Food is the most popular app for food delivery in Kinshasa.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Fufu and moambe chicken are must-try dishes.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Restaurants like La Ville des Saveurs provide vegetarian and vegan dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Boulangerie Gâteaux d'Or is known for its pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Mercure Market offers local goods at reasonable prices.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Kinoz is a notable online marketplace for local products.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Kasavoo offers grocery delivery services in Kinshasa.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Gombe district is known for its nightlife and bars.
🍻 Local Brewery Brasserie de Kinshasa produces local beers popular among locals.
🍷 Wine Bars La Maison du Vin offers a selection of local and imported wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors in Gombe offer popular snacks like brochettes and grilled plantains.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Italian and Chinese restaurants are prevalent, with places like La Pizzeria being well-reviewed.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Visit the Cathedrale Notre-Dame du Congo and the National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The National Museum and L'Institut National des Arts showcase Congolese art and heritage.
🏰 Historical Sites Fort de la République offers a glimpse into the colonial past.
🕍 Religious Sites The Basilica of Kinshasa is a prominent place of worship.
🎉 Annual Events The annual Kinshasa Jazz Festival attracts local and international talent.
🎨 Cultural Districts The Marche des Artisans showcases local crafts and culture.
🎭 Theater Venues Centre Culturel de l'Ur présence offers performances and cultural events.
🛍️ Local Markets Kinshasa's Zando Market is popular for local goods and artisan crafts.
🎼 Music Scene The city is renowned for its vibrant music scene featuring Congolese rumba.
🎨 Street Art Explore the street art scene around Central Kinshasa, particularly in Gombe.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Culinary classes that focus on traditional Congolese cuisine are offered at local community centers.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Galerie Huit showcases contemporary Congolese artists.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Presidential Palace is an architectural highlight, though not open to the public.
🏴 Local Heritage Kinshasa is rich in cultural heritage, with influences from numerous ethnic groups.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Parc de la Vallée de la Lua offers green spaces and outdoor activities.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Virunga National Park is about a 6-hour drive away, known for its biodiversity.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths The Congo River walkways allow for recreational walking and cycling.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Visit the Mont Ngaliema for scenic views of the city.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Lac Tumba is a great spot for birdwatching.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Designated picnic areas along the Congo River offer bonfire-friendly locations.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and local services like COTRAL provide parcel delivery options.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Electronics repair shops can be found in Gombe, with quick service.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Recreation centers in residential areas often have table tennis facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Language schools offering French classes are available throughout the city.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Bibliothèque de Kinshasa is a popular spot for reading and studying.
🏘️ Community Centers Local community centers host various events and activities for expats.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Gaming spots can be found in various entertainment complexes.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Le Casino de Kinshasa provides gaming options and entertainment.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., a 40 m² studio costs around $60,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., a 40 m² studio costs around $40,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., a 60 m² apartment costs around $108,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., a 60 m² apartment costs around $72,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., an 80 m² apartment costs around $160,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., an 80 m² apartment costs around $120,000).
💼 Corporate Tax 30%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax 15%.
🏦 Tax System Progressive tax system with a varying tax rate based on income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 40%.
🧾 VAT 16%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules No specific CFC rules.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax based on estimated value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Around 2% when purchasing property.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Limited tax benefits, expats should seek local advice for specific situations.

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