Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has found itself in the middle of a construction boom over the past decade. The economy has also been given a jolt by the entrepreneurial spirit of Congolese returning home from abroad.
Kinshasa rising —
Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has found itself in the middle of a construction boom over the past decade. The economy has also been given a jolt by the entrepreneurial spirit of Congolese returning home from abroad.
Olivier Ndombasi is one such returnee. He studied abroad in the hope of bringing back knowledge that could improve the family business: groceries. His father's small store has now turned into a supermarket franchise called Peloustore, with four locations and more on the way.
Kinshasa rising —
Olivier Ndombasi is one such returnee. He studied abroad in the hope of bringing back knowledge that could improve the family business: groceries. His father's small store has now turned into a supermarket franchise called Peloustore, with four locations and more on the way.
"Come to Kinshasa, you unlearn what you thought you knew. You take your MBA book, your business plan, put it in your pocket and start from scratch," says Alain Yav, founder of Pygma Group, which produces the country's most popular TV show.
Kinshasa rising —
"Come to Kinshasa, you unlearn what you thought you knew. You take your MBA book, your business plan, put it in your pocket and start from scratch," says Alain Yav, founder of Pygma Group, which produces the country's most popular TV show.
"As Congolese, we have to be the first people involved in our development," says Didier M'Pambia (far left), who set up Optimum, one of the larger PR firms in Kinshasa.
Kinshasa rising —
"As Congolese, we have to be the first people involved in our development," says Didier M'Pambia (far left), who set up Optimum, one of the larger PR firms in Kinshasa.