Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kinshasa is the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, located on the Congo River across from Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 12 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed is about 6 Mbps, with availability of 4G in urban areas |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 2,000 CDF (Congolese Franc). International cards are not widely accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | Voltage is 230V, 50Hz. Sockets are Type C/D. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Local providers include Orange, Airtel, and Vodacom with plans starting around $5 for 5GB. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Ecobank and United Bank for Africa are popular among expats. Cash transactions are common. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb and local rental agencies offer various options, with prices starting at $300/month for a studio. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Limited; cash transactions are more common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rentals available with varying prices. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels and guesthouses are available starting from $10 per night, such as the Kora Hotel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Gombe and Matonge neighborhoods are popular among tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Gombe is recommended due to its Wi-Fi availability and proximity to coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Bureau E is a popular coworking space offering high-speed internet and facilities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Questions Café has a comfortable work atmosphere with reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup events are organized frequently by local expat groups on platforms like Facebook. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Kinshasa Expats Facebook group hosts regular meet-ups and social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxify is the most commonly used ride-hailing app in Kinshasa. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rental options are limited; taxis are the most common means of transport. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Kinsangani beach, about a 5-hour drive away, is an accessible getaway. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | ASKY Airlines offers regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways have frequent international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The N1 highway connects Kinshasa to neighboring provinces. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The Kinshasa Railway Station is the main transit hub, but services are limited. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No unified public transport pass system; minibuses (taxi-buses) are widely used. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services connect to surrounding cities and towns, but conditions vary. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Clinique Universitaire is one of the best hospitals with essential services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House offers classes and wellness sessions. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | The Fitness Center Kinshasa is well-equipped for workouts. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Several laundromats available, such as Lavage Express. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Jumia Food is the most popular for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Saka saka (cassava leaves) and fish served with plantains. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restos like Le Jardin de Gombe offer vegetarian-friendly dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | La Pâtisserie offers a selection of pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Marché Central is great for budget food shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Jumia operates as an e-commerce option for various goods. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like Supermart provide grocery deliveries. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Boulevard du 30 Juin is popular for nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie La Congolaise produces local beers available in many bars. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Wine Bar in Gombe offers a selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors in Matonge serve popular local snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like La Planète serve Italian and French cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Kinshasa Cathedral and La Gombe. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The National Museum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a must-visit. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The historic site of Maboko Island is worth exploring. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Congo is a notable religious site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Fête de la Musique is celebrated annually in June. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The lively Matonge district is known for its cultural scene. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Centre Cultural Franco-Congolais hosts many performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Marché de la Liberté for local crafts and goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Kinshasa is famous for its rumba and Kwaito music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Galleries in the Gombe region display vibrant local art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Culinary classes available at various cultural centers. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Congo is an indie gallery worth visiting. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The old railway station showcases colonial architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Congo's rich cultural heritage is evident in various festivals and music. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Congo River offers scenic boat rides. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary is nearby for wildlife lovers. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Limited urban paths for cycling; walking along riverbanks is popular. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Brasserie du Congo rooftop offers stunning city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lola ya Bonobo and the Congo River area are good for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain parks allow bonfires, check local regulations. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL operates in Kinshasa for international shipping. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech shops like Top Electronics provide repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Sports clubs in Kinshasa have facilities for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language learning can be found at the Alliance Française. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The National Library offers reading and study facilities. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Various community centers host cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Few gaming lounges are available, often in larger shopping centers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino de Kinshasa offers gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., a 40 m² studio costs $72,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per m² (e.g., a 40 m² studio costs $48,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., a 60 m² costs $96,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., a 60 m² costs $60,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., an 80 m² costs $120,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $800 per m² (e.g., an 80 m² costs $64,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | The corporate tax rate is 30%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | The withholding tax on dividends is 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Primarily residency-based taxation. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 40%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 16%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, CFC rules apply for certain foreign companies. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxes are applicable, based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Transaction tax on property purchases is 5%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Digital nomads are often considered under personal taxation, which can be beneficial if income is derived external to the Congo. |