Kinshasa, February 26th, 2026 (CPA). – An increase in rental housing prices has been observed notably in the communes of Gombe, Barumbu, Lemba and Ngaliema in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during the period from July 23rd, 2025 to February 26th, 2026, according to a survey conducted by CPA. “Large rental houses in the city-province of Kinshasa have experienced a price increase from USD 200 to USD 250, representing a 25 percent rise, particularly for one-bedroom living room units and two-bedroom living room units during the period from July 22nd, 2025 to February 26, 2026,” said Bashira Dyala, a property agent in the commune of Barumbu (northern Kinshasa).
According to him, the increase is mainly due to high housing demand, the bad faith and behavior of certain landlords who raise rental prices without valid justification, as well as real estate speculation. He also cited housing scarcity in some highly sought-after communes and the influx of rural populations into urban centers as contributing factors. For example, a house with one bedroom, a living room and a bathroom previously rented at USD 200 now costs USD 250; one previously at USD 250 now rents for USD 300. A two-bedroom house with living room, kitchen and bathroom has increased from USD 300 to between USD 350 and USD 400. A three-bedroom house with living room, kitchen and two bathrooms, previously USD 400, now costs between USD 500 and USD 600. An apartment with one bedroom and living room that rented for USD 350 now costs USD 400, while a four-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and two living rooms is currently priced at USD 800.
A five-bedroom villa with two living rooms and two bathrooms has risen from USD 1,200 to USD 1,500. Mr. Dyala further explained that rental guarantees also pose a significant problem, as in some communes the deposit ranges between eight and twelve months’ rent, particularly in northern and central communes of the capital such as Gombe, Kinshasa, Lemba, Bandalungwa, Limete, Kintambo, Ngaliema, Barumbu, Lingwala and Kasa-Vubu. Moreover, he noted that rental prices in certain neighborhoods in the Center-North, East and West of Kinshasa have also seen slight increases due to the ongoing demolition of illegal constructions. In Masina, for example, a one-bedroom house with living room, bathroom and kitchen previously rented at USD 180 now costs USD 200. In Kingasani, a three-bedroom house with kitchen and bathroom has risen from USD 300 to USD 350; a two-bedroom unit with living room, kitchen and bathroom has increased from USD 250 to USD 300; a one-bedroom unit that rented for USD 150 now goes for USD 200; and a studio previously rented at USD 80 now costs between USD 100 and USD 120. He reminded residents of Kinshasa that the demolition of illegal constructions is not an act of bad faith by authorities but rather a government duty to sanitize the city and prevent risks and natural disasters such as flooding. “I call on the authorities to build houses on vacant land to enable Congolese to live decently in their beautiful country. Given current living conditions in Kinshasa, it is difficult to cope, especially as some landlords increase prices without carrying out renovation works,” he concluded.