Vietnam-based Vingroup, the government of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research and development of large-scale urban projects and green mobility.
Vingroup said in a statement on last Saturday that the agreement marks an important milestone in the cooperation between Vietnam and Democratic Republic of the Congo, reflecting the shared vision of both sides toward sustainable development and improving 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 (EVs), 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 centers, hotels, entertainment complexes, as well as a future administrative district for government ministries and agencies.
The development aims to create a modern new urban center that will serve Kinshasa’s residents while becoming a tourist destination and a symbol of the city’s progress.
The city will allocate the land to Vingroup free of charge.
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 Vingroup subsidiaries VinFast and GSM.
VinFast will provide suitable vehicle models to support Kinshasa’s plan to gradually replace more than 300,000 fossil-fueled vehicles with EVs.
The company will also explore the supply of 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
“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,” said Daniel Bumba Lubaki, Governor of Kinshasa.
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup, shared that with extensive experience in developing world-class mega-urban projects and advancing an electrified mobility network, she believes this 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 center of the country and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa,” she added.
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