German Firm CREMER to Invest €100 Million in Kinshasa Waste Management Project
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A major investment in waste management infrastructure is slated for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, as German company CREMER plans to establish large-scale recycling and energy recovery facilities in the city beginning in 2026. The project, with an estimated turnover of €100 million, aims to address the growing waste crisis and improve sanitation in the rapidly expanding capital.
Addressing a Mounting Waste Problem
Kinshasa faces a significant challenge in managing its waste. With a population of approximately 20 million and 3 million households, the city generates an estimated 12,000 to 18,000 tonnes of waste daily, according to local authorities. This massive volume has strained existing infrastructure and contributed to unsanitary conditions throughout the city.
CREMER’s Expansion into Central Africa
CREMER, a company specializing in waste collection, treatment, recycling, and energy recovery – with existing operations in Belgium and the United States – announced its intentions following a verification mission to Germany. From December 14 to 19, the provincial minister of Public Private Partnership, Fiston Lukwebo, led a delegation to assess CREMER’s technical and operational capacity.
“The CREMER company wants to install its large capacity factories and ovens in Kinshasa for the transformation and recovery of urban waste,” stated a release from the Kinshasa provincial ministry of Public Private Partnership. The project represents a significant step towards modernizing waste management practices in the DRC.
Government Support and Job Creation
The initiative has strong backing from the DRC government. A senior official noted that the project aligns with President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi’s call for improved sanitation in Kinshasa, a concern recently raised during his state of the nation address. The mayor of Kinshasa, Daniel Bumba, was specifically questioned by the President regarding the capital’s sanitation challenges.
The project is expected to generate employment opportunities for Kinshasa residents and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable urban environment. “This mega project will create jobs for Kinshasa residents and fight against unsanitary conditions in the capital through regular waste collection,” Lukwebo stated, adding that he represented Governor Bumba during the assessment mission alongside representatives from the capital’s Sanitation Authority.
A Broader Economic Strategy
The investment by CREMER is part of a larger effort by Fiston Lukwebo to promote economic development within Kinshasa. Since his appointment to the provincial executive, Lukwebo has prioritized initiatives aimed at improving the city’s image and attracting foreign investment.
The successful implementation of this project could serve as a model for other cities in the DRC and across Central Africa grappling with similar waste management challenges.
