Towards a world-class urban vision
Today, Carousel Finance convened a strategic meeting spanning London, Abu Dhabi and Kinshasa, bringing together the renowned global engineering and design firm ARUP, senior Congolese authorities, and our team. This high-level exchange marked a significant step in the international rollout of the Kinshasa Kia Mona project, a transformative urban extension designed to reshape the future of the Congolese capital.
Participants included Her Excellency Marie Ndjeka Opombo, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Ndolamb Ngokwey, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the United Kingdom, Didier Kiony, Deputy Coordinator of the CSSPEVK (Strategic Committee for the Supervision of the Kinshasa City Extension Project) accompanied by Mannix Massikiand Junior Kono from the CSSPEVK team, alongside with Jafar Hilali, Nina Powell and Charles Jack from Carousel Finance. The teams from ARUP, connected from both their Dubai and London offices, joined the meeting to explore the project’s technical and institutional framework.
Kinshasa Kia Mona is one of the most ambitious urban development initiatives in Africa. Covering more than 43,000 hectares, the project is set to welcome over 5 million residents, create one million jobs, and become a new economic, industrial and financial hub for Central Africa. Designed under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office, and implemented through the CSSPEVK, this initiative is backed by a dedicated investment fund and a financial architecture secured by critical minerals. This model ensures long-term financial security for investors while reinforcing the sovereignty of the Congolese State.
The dialogue with ARUP reflects a clear ambition: to ensure that Kinshasa Kia Mona is not just a city built for numbers, but a city built for excellence. ARUP, known globally for its involvement in landmark infrastructure and urban development projects such as the Sydney Opera House, the Beijing National Stadium, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, brings a wealth of expertise in urban planning, infrastructure engineering, environmental sustainability and smart city systems. The firm’s presence in the conversation confirms the project’s positioning at the highest international standards.
The discussion focused on potential collaboration around the masterplan refinement, resilience engineering, infrastructure phasing, and the integration of smart mobility, and environmental safeguards. ARUP’s input will be instrumental in ensuring that Kinshasa Kia Mona emerges as a benchmark for livable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban development on the continent.
“This city must reflect the ambition and dignity of the Congolese people. We are determined to work with the very best architects, engineers and urban planners globally, to create an environment where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and nature is protected. ARUP’s values and track record make them an ideal partner”
