Kinshasa: the structuration of the informal sector desired to supervise the commercial intermediaries

Kinshasa, August 19^th, 2025 (CPA).- The structuration of the informal sector has been strongly desired on Tuesday during an exchange in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with young people operating as commercial intermediaries, commonly known as ‘shayeurs’ or ‘kwata,’ with a view to supervise their profit margins and establish a system of transparency in transactions between sellers and buyers. ‘A regulation of this sector would enable the Congolese state to better identify the real players (shayeurs), understand their roles in the various markets of the city-province of Kinshasa and regulate their profit margins by establishing a system of transparency in the various transactions they are called upon to carry out,’ has declared Bambi Konda, a young commercial intermediary.

The Identification of these young intermediaries, he has said, will enable both urban and market authorities to gain a clear understanding of how this informal sector operates, which is often confused with thieves, Kulunas and kidnappers. It will also put an end to certain abuses related to excessive price increases for products observed in this sector.

“We work in a sector that does not require a degree, but we deplore the practices of some young people who abuse the trust of customers by charging excessive prices, » According to him, some practices involve increasing the prices of items.  For example, a product sold for FC 50,000 may be offered to the customer for FC 90,000 by playing on their psychological vulnerability. The intermediary then recovers the difference from the retailer, he has explained.

« Even if a small mark-up is necessary in our business, we call on our colleagues to show humanity so that it does not appear to be extortion,” he has advised. These young people are particularly active in activities such as brokers of household appliances, clothes, kitchen utensils, real estate and other items in public places such as the city centre and certain areas of high commercial interest such as municipal markets.

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