On April 18, 2025, Carousel Finance held the second European Strategic Breakfast for the Kia Mona project, this time at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Belgium. The event was held in partnership with the Strategic Oversight Committee for the Kinshasa City Expansion Project (CSSPEVK) and marked the continuation of the international presentation tour launched in Paris just two days prior.
Strong interest from Belgian stakeholders in a transformative African project
Hosted under the patronage of Ambassador Christian Ndongala Nkunku, the breakfast brought together over fifty institutional and business leaders from Belgium. Participants were introduced to the scope and ambition of Kia Mona—a 43,000-hectare urban and industrial development project designed to accommodate five million inhabitants east of Kinshasa. The project integrates infrastructure, logistics corridors, industrial zones, housing, and essential services within a forward-looking, sovereign framework.
During the session, Thierry Katembwe, Principal Coordinator of the CSSPEVK, outlined the strategic vision of the project and emphasized the historical ties between Belgium and the DRC. Jafar Hilali, President of Carousel Finance, presented the operational and financial structuring approach, including the creation of a dedicated infrastructure fund that will serve as the primary vehicle for onboarding and financing strategic partners in line with national objectives.
Concrete interest and growing engagement
The event welcomed participants from across sectors, including logistics, engineering, energy, finance, and urban development. Discussions reflected a high level of interest in contributing to the project’s success, particularly in port logistics, clean infrastructure, digital solutions, and long-term project financing.
Several bilateral conversations are now underway with Belgian entities exploring opportunities to engage technically and financially in the first stages of Kia Mona’s implementation.
Toward structuring formal partnerships
Carousel Finance is now advancing its international engagement strategy with the goal of signing initial cooperation protocols by summer 2025. Companies and institutions interested in joining the project are invited to reach out and explore opportunities to collaborate under the fund’s framework.
The Brussels meeting confirmed the strategic importance of Belgium in this continental initiative and marked a key milestone in the effort to mobilize long-term partnerships for the transformation of Kinshasa.
