The number of the population (70 million) and the large surface area (2,345,410 km²) of the DRC are major assets to ensure investment in the housing and real estate sector. However, there are overall housing deficits estimated at 3,945,555, i.e. 263,039 housing units to be built per year. The needs of the city of Kinshasa are estimated at 54.4% of the overall deficit, i.e. 143,092 housing units to be built per year.

1. Legal framework of the sector

• Land Law No. 73-021 of 20 July 1973 on the general property regime, land and real estate regime and security regime.
• This law lays down precise standards that regulate the purchase, sale and leasing of land and/or concessions. It should provide a framework for decisions by sellers, lessors and buyers on the procedure to be followed for all transactions with a view to the issuance by the Congolese state of ultra-secure property titles.
• The Bakajika Law of 7 June 1966 (Soil and subsoil belong to the State). It specified, "The soil and subsoil belong to the State". This law was aimed at restoring order in the land sector.
• Ministerial Order No. Cab/MINA/TUHITPR/007/2013 of 26 June 2013 regulating the granting of building permits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Any person wishing to undertake a real estate development, an urban innovation, a construction or a work of any nature, in durable materials and according to the rules of the art, on the whole territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is required to obtain a Building Permit from the competent Administration of Urbanism and Habitat beforehand.
• Circular Note n°005/CAB/MIN/AFF FONC/2013 of June 12, 2013 relating to the procedure and deadline for the transfer of land and real estate property rights.

2. Potentials

• There is a lot of land that can be exploited across the country. Existence in each province of spaces dedicated to the construction of social housing;
• Strong demand in relation to supply;
• Existence of an important market share for new construction companies and investors in the sector;
• Freedom of enterprise in this sector.

3. Accomplishments

Construction of social housing by private operators (completed):

• Cité du Fleuve;
• Cité Kin Oasis;
• Cité Belle Vie;
• City de l’Espoir;
• Cité Moderne (under construction).

As a result of ANAPI’s involvement, we are today witnessing an unprecedented real estate boom throughout the whole Republic.

4. Government’s vision in the sector

The housing policy is articulated around four axes:

- Reorganization of the housing sector (institutional reform and capacity building);

- The improvement of housing (land development policy and supervision of the real estate sector);

- The mobilization of resources for housing;

- The reduction of urban poverty areas (emergency action).