How did political conflict after 1997 affect Kinshasa's economy?

Following the 1997 downfall of the Zairean regime, Kinshasa experienced severe and persistent economic hardship. The political turmoil that followed this transition proved debilitating for the city’s industrial and commercial activities.12

The economic impact of this instability included:

• Economic Decline: The city, already burdened by a rapidly growing population, entered a period of intense economic struggle that lasted into the 21st century.1
• Supply and Food Security: The combination of population growth and economic woes created serious challenges in supplying the city with food, leading to a constant threat of shortages.2
• Currency Devaluation: The national currency, the Congolese franc, which replaced the new zaire in 1998, suffered significant devaluation due to years of civil conflict.3
• Informal Economy: As the formal banking system remained limited, the majority of transactions within the city's dominant informal sector continued to be settled in cash.3

While Kinshasa remains the core of the country's industrial and commercial life, these years of conflict fundamentally undermined its economic stability and infrastructure.23