The government of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Vingroup (Vietnam) have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on research and development of large-scale urban projects and green mobility.
The agreement marks an important milestone in cooperation between Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reflecting both sides’ shared vision for sustainable development and improved quality of life for residents.
Under the MoU, the two sides will jointly explore and develop a riverfront mega-urban project covering approximately 6,300 hectares, while gradually converting more than 300,000 gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles, and establishing a comprehensive electric bus network and charging infrastructure.
The project is located between the southern bank of the Congo River and the northern area of N’djili International Airport, a strategic site in the city’s expansion plan.
The project is expected to include residential zones, villas, apartments, hospitals, schools, shopping centres, hotels, entertainment complexes, and a future administrative district for government ministries and agencies.
The development aims to create a modern urban centre that will serve Kinshasa’s residents, become a tourist destination, and symbolise the city’s progress. The city will allocate the land to Vingroup at no cost.
In addition to real estate, both parties agreed to expand cooperation into green transportation projects, including the development of electric bus and taxi systems, and EV charging infrastructure operated by VinFast and GSM.
VinFast will provide suitable vehicle models to support Kinshasa’s plan to replace more than 300,000 fossil-fueled vehicles with EVs gradually.
The company will also explore supplying VinFast electric buses and support the establishment and operation of electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes. The city has committed to providing land for charging infrastructure to accelerate the city’s green transition
Daniel Bumba Lubaki, Governor of Kinshasa, said, “We welcome Vingroup’s presence in Kinshasa. We have witnessed firsthand the remarkable achievements Vingroup has made in Vietnam and many other countries around the world.
“With its extensive international experience in urban development, housing, and infrastructure, we believe this partnership will mark a significant milestone — paving the way for a more modern, sustainable, and vibrant urban future for the people of Kinshasa.”
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup, explained that Vingroup “is delighted to partner with the Government of Kinshasa in this mission to enhance the quality of life for its people”.
She added, “With extensive experience in developing world-class mega-urban projects and advancing an electrified mobility network, we believe our collaboration will help transform the city’s landscape and foster sustainable development in both the capital and across the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a population of approximately 17 million. It is the political, economic, and cultural centre of the country and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa.
Vingroup is Vietnam’s largest private multi-sector conglomerate, operating across five core pillars: industrials and technology, real estate and services, infrastructure, green energy, and social enterprises, with the vision ‘For a better life for everyone”.
