Urbanization and Poverty in Kinshasa: Thinking Beyond 2015 Millennium Development Goals

Abstract

Despite the recent improvements in sub-Saharan Africa’s economy, it has not translated into commensurate reductions in poverty and hunger. The population living in extreme poverty and hunger in the region has rather increased, while the world’s developing countries have experienced a reduction in extreme poverty. This paper discusses urbanization and poverty with regards to Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. It examines targets 1 and 2 of MDG1. It discusses local innovations as a response to poverty and hunger and looks at the post-2015 agenda. Research findings reveal that poverty and hunger remain a critical challenge for urban dwellers in the city. The study shows that Kinshasa could miss targets 1 and 2 of MDG1 significantly. Consequently, the need to strengthen good governance, industrialization and innovations, as well as informal economy needs to be recognized and integrated into the post-2015 economic policy of the city.