The first phase will connect Kinshasa Central Station to N'djili International Airport through a 25-kilometre electrified railway designed to modernize mobility in the capital.
KINSHASA — October 22, 2026 — The Democratic Republic of the Congo has advanced one of its most ambitious urban transport projects through a $877 million co-development agreement for the first phase of MetroKin, the planned metropolitan railway network for Kinshasa.
The agreement was signed in Dubai on October 12 by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communications and Opening-Up Jean-Pierre Bemba and Africa Finance Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu.
According to the DRC Ministry of Transport, the signing establishes Africa Finance Corporation as a partner in the co-development of MetroKin's first phase and advances plans for a modern railway between central Kinshasa and the country's busiest international airport.
A Modern Railway From Central Kinshasa to N'djili Airport
The first phase covers a 25-kilometre, double-track electrified railway running from Kinshasa Central Station to N'djili International Airport. The route will be fully enclosed and supported by an additional three kilometres of siding tracks.
The planned infrastructure includes eight stations built to international standards, including two major commercial stations, alongside 52 pedestrian bridges, new road and rail bridges, drainage structures and a large railway viaduct crossing Boulevard du 30 Juin.
A 35-megawatt power plant is also planned for Kin-Est to supply the railway's trains, signalling equipment and surveillance systems.
The Congolese Press Agency reported that the agreement forms part of a wider plan to build a MetroKin network eventually covering approximately 300 kilometres across the city-province of Kinshasa.
Airport Journey Targeted at Just 21 Minutes
INFRASTRUCTURE
DRC Signs $877m MetroKin Airport Rail Agreement
Oct 22, 2026
Oct 22, 2026
5 min read
Published
Updated:
The first phase will connect Kinshasa Central Station to N'djili International Airport through a 25-kilometre electrified railway designed to modernize mobility in the capital.
KINSHASA — October 22, 2026 — The Democratic Republic of the Congo has advanced one of its most ambitious urban transport projects through a $877 million co-development agreement for the first phase of MetroKin, the planned metropolitan railway network for Kinshasa.
The agreement was signed in Dubai on October 12 by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communications and Opening-Up Jean-Pierre Bemba and Africa Finance Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu.
According to the DRC Ministry of Transport, the signing establishes Africa Finance Corporation as a partner in the co-development of MetroKin's first phase and advances plans for a modern railway between central Kinshasa and the country's busiest international airport.
A Modern Railway From Central Kinshasa to N'djili Airport
The first phase covers a 25-kilometre, double-track electrified railway running from Kinshasa Central Station to N'djili International Airport. The route will be fully enclosed and supported by an additional three kilometres of siding tracks.
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The planned infrastructure includes eight stations built to international standards, including two major commercial stations, alongside 52 pedestrian bridges, new road and rail bridges, drainage structures and a large railway viaduct crossing Boulevard du 30 Juin.
A 35-megawatt power plant is also planned for Kin-Est to supply the railway's trains, signalling equipment and surveillance systems.
The Congolese Press Agency reported that the agreement forms part of a wider plan to build a MetroKin network eventually covering approximately 300 kilometres across the city-province of Kinshasa.
Airport Journey Targeted at Just 21 Minutes
The first MetroKin line is being designed to offer two passenger services: a direct connection between Central Station and N'djili Airport and a stopping service serving the stations along the route.
Official project plans estimate a journey time of approximately 21 minutes for the direct airport service and 26 minutes for the stopping service, with trains expected to operate at intervals of about four minutes.
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Once operating at full capacity, the line is projected to carry approximately 452,000 passengers daily, with the potential to accommodate as many as 600,000 passengers.
For Kinshasa residents, the project offers the prospect of more predictable travel, improved airport access and a modern alternative to road transport along one of the capital's busiest corridors.
Government Support Strengthens the Project Framework
The Dubai agreement followed another important milestone in Kinshasa on October 8, when the Government and MetroKin partners signed interface contracts and a State support and guarantee convention.
The Ministry of Transport said these agreements establish cooperation among MetroKin, the Régie des Voies Aériennes and the Office National des Transports. They also formalize the Congolese State's support for the project through the ministries responsible for transport, the State portfolio and finance.
Construction of the first phase is targeted to begin in December 2026, according to the official project timetable announced by the Ministry and MetroKin management.
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A Second Railway Vision Linking Kinshasa to Banana
Alongside the MetroKin agreement, the DRC and Africa Finance Corporation signed a separate memorandum of understanding concerning the financing of a feasibility study for a proposed railway between Kinshasa and Banana.
The study will examine the future line's development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance arrangements. The proposed connection could strengthen links between the national capital and the Atlantic coast while supporting the DRC's wider transport and trade ambitions.
Building the Future of Congolese Mobility
MetroKin represents a visible expression of the Government's drive to modernize national transport infrastructure and improve connectivity under President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
The project brings together large-scale investment, electric rail technology, new stations, power infrastructure and direct airport connectivity in a single urban-mobility programme. It also demonstrates the Government's ability to attract major African financial and technical partners for transformative infrastructure.
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