The 12th edition of Expo Béton, held on October 8, 2026, in Kinshasa, focused on land securitization, digitization of land registry, and conflict prevention. The event, themed "Aménagement du territoire, sécurisation foncière et numérisation du cadastre pour garantir les investissements immobiliers à Kinshasa : quel avenir pour les communes de la N’Sele, de Maluku et de Mont-Ngafula ?", brought together stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities related to urban expansion in three communes of the capital.
Land securitization, digitization of land registry, and conflict prevention were key topics of discussion during the second day of the expo. Minister of Land Affairs, O'Neige N'Sele, presented the main innovations introduced by the law promulgated on December 30, 2025. These innovations include digitization of land registry, modernization of land administration, and capacity building for sector agents.
According to Minister N'Sele, the law aims to improve land management in the Democratic Republic of Congo and address persistent difficulties related to access to land information, organization, and distribution of spaces. The minister emphasized the importance of training agents to ensure the success of this transformation, noting that over 350 cadres and agents have been trained between August and October 2026.
The digitization of land registry goes beyond simple document scanning, involving the production of geolocated plans and integration of new technical skills in daily land administration. Customary authorities also emphasized the need for their involvement in land procedures, particularly in areas with high pressure on land. Mfumu Difima Bols, representative of the Superior Council of Traditional and Customary Authority of the DRC, stressed the importance of consulting customary authorities in land decisions.
Me Défi Augustin Fataki, a lawyer at the Court of Cassation, highlighted the persistence of land and real estate conflicts in the DRC. He cited factors such as spoliation, lack of knowledge of land legislation, poor application of texts, and conflicts of competence between land and customary authorities. According to data presented, 62 cases of land and real estate spoliation are currently under investigation in Kinshasa.
The lawyer also noted that land disputes occupy a significant place in civil litigation, with nearly 40% of civil cases recorded in the registry of the Tribunal de grande instance de Goma and Kinshasa-Gombe concerning land and real estate. Me Fataki emphasized that the future of the communes of N'Sele, Maluku, and Mont-Ngafula depends on the authorities' ability to combat the causes of land conflicts and improve the application of legislation.
Participants at the expo underlined several priorities to accompany the urban expansion of Kinshasa, including modernization of land administration, securitization of property rights, involvement of customary authorities, and prevention of land conflicts in the communes of N'Sele, Maluku, and Mont-Ngafula. The event highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to address the challenges of urbanization and ensure sustainable development in the region.
Key points
- The 12th edition of Expo Béton in Kinshasa highlights land securitization, digitization of land registry, and conflict prevention as key priorities for sustainable urban development.
