World Bank Approves $250M ‘Kin la Belle’ Programme to Tackle Waste Crisis and Create Jobs in Kinshasa

World Bank officials say the programme represents a long-term commitment to transforming Kinshasa into a livable and economically vibrant megacity.

In a major push to transform one of Africa's fastest-growing megacities, the World Bank has approved $250 million in financing for the Kinshasa Urban Transformation and Jobs Programme—known as Kin la Belle—aimed at overhauling waste management systems while generating large-scale employment opportunities.

The initiative marks a significant expansion of the World Bank Group's urban development support to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing its total active financing in Kinshasa to nearly $900 million across three interconnected programmes targeting infrastructure, resilience, and economic growth.

A city under pressure from rapid growth

Kinshasa, home to more than 17 million people, is projected to become Africa's largest city by 2030. However, its rapid urban expansion has far outpaced the development of essential services—particularly waste management and job creation.

The scale of the challenge is stark:

• The city produces approximately 12,000 tonnes of waste daily

• 98 percent of waste is openly dumped or burned

• Poor waste disposal clogs drainage systems, worsening flooding risks

• Accumulated waste contributes to the spread of disease in densely populated, low-income areas

At the same time, youth unemployment remains critically high, creating a dual crisis of environmental degradation and economic exclusion.

A three-pronged strategy for transformation

The Kin la Belle programme is designed as a comprehensive intervention to address these intertwined challenges. Its first phase—financed through the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA)—focuses on three key pillars:

1. Building a functional waste management system

The programme will establish the foundations of a modern waste management network by developing:

• Waste collection points

• Transfer stations

• An integrated waste management facility

These systems will initially be deployed in selected communes, with the goal of scaling citywide. The project will also strengthen regulatory frameworks and promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract long-term private investment into the sector.

2. Connecting people to economic opportunities

Recognising the spatial inequalities within Kinshasa, the programme will prepare for future investments aimed at improving urban connectivity. This includes:

• Planning for riverfront redevelopment along the Congo River

• Enhancing transport access to economic zones

• Laying the groundwork for improved mobility and urban integration

These efforts are expected to unlock new economic opportunities and reduce barriers faced by underserved communities.

3. Driving inclusive job creation and economic growth

A central pillar of the programme is job creation, particularly for youth and women. The initiative will:

• Support labour-intensive public works

• Strengthen micro and small enterprises across the waste value chain

• Develop a skilled workforce aligned with circular economy principles

By formalising and expanding the waste sector, the programme aims to turn a major urban challenge into a source of sustainable livelihoods.

Part of a broader $900 million urban transformation push

Kin la Belle is the latest addition to a coordinated portfolio of World Bank-funded projects in Kinshasa, including:

• Kin Elenda (2021): A multisector urban development and resilience project

• PRIUR (2025): A flood resilience initiative targeting Kinshasa and Kalemie

Together, these programmes form a comprehensive strategy addressing:

• Urban infrastructure gaps

• Flood resilience and climate risks

• Water and electricity access

• Waste management and job creation

A vision for a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous city

World Bank officials say the programme represents a long-term commitment to transforming Kinshasa into a livable and economically vibrant megacity.

"Kinshasa is precisely where the World Bank's global experience in urban development can make the greatest difference," said Albert Zeufack, World Bank Division Director for the region.

"The impact will be concrete: cleaner streets, fewer floods, and real jobs for the young Congolese who represent this city's future."

Turning crisis into opportunity

Experts say the Kin la Belle programme reflects a growing global trend toward integrated urban development—where environmental management, infrastructure investment, and job creation are tackled simultaneously.

If successfully implemented, the initiative could serve as a model for other rapidly urbanising cities across Africa facing similar challenges.

With Kinshasa's population continuing to surge, the stakes are high. But with nearly $900 million now committed to its transformation, the city stands at a pivotal moment—where targeted investment and coordinated planning could redefine its trajectory for decades to come.