Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Democratic Republic of the Congo Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our DR Congo Property Pack
If you are considering starting an Airbnb in Congo-Kinshasa, you are probably wondering whether it is actually profitable and what the local rules look like.
This guide covers everything from the legal framework and licensing requirements to realistic revenue estimates and neighborhood-level price differences in Kinshasa.
We constantly update this article to reflect the latest data on Airbnb performance, occupancy rates, and regulations in Congo-Kinshasa as of early 2026.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Congo-Kinshasa.
Insights
- Kinshasa's Airbnb market is unusually corporate-focused, with over 50% of listings requiring minimum stays of 30 nights or more, which makes it very different from tourist-oriented cities.
- The typical Airbnb occupancy rate in Kinshasa sits around 47%, which translates to roughly 14 booked nights per month for the average host.
- One-bedroom apartments dominate the Kinshasa short-term rental market, representing 54% of all listings, followed by two-bedroom units at 31%.
- Top-performing hosts in Kinshasa can achieve occupancy rates of 60% to 65%, about 15 to 20 percentage points higher than the market average.
- Backup power (generator or inverter) is essentially mandatory for Kinshasa Airbnbs because electricity reliability remains a major concern for guests.
- The price gap between premium areas like Gombe and budget-friendly neighborhoods like Limete or Matete can exceed $100 per night for similar property types.
- Kinshasa has approximately 959 active short-term rental listings, with 94% of them listed on Airbnb specifically.
- Event-driven demand from conferences like FICKIN or SIC 2026 can push monthly revenues from $800 in slow months to nearly $1,900 during peak periods.
- Air conditioning is present in 97% of Kinshasa Airbnb listings, making it a baseline expectation rather than a differentiating amenity.
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
Is short-term renting allowed in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, short-term renting in Kinshasa is generally allowed, though the city does not have a dedicated Airbnb-specific law like you would find in Paris or New York.
The main legal framework comes from the national tourism law (Loi n°18-018 of July 9, 2018), which establishes principles for tourism activities and anticipates authorization requirements for accommodation services, but detailed implementing regulations remain limited in practice.
The most important condition for hosts in Congo-Kinshasa is ensuring compliance with any building or lease restrictions, collecting applicable taxes, and respecting neighbor nuisance rules since these are the areas where issues most commonly arise.
If you operate as a business (especially with multiple units), you may need to register formally through the GUCE (Guichet Unique de Création d'Entreprises) in Gombe and align your tax position with the DGI (Direction Générale des Impôts).
Penalties for non-compliance in Congo-Kinshasa are not as clearly codified as in heavily regulated Western markets, but operating without proper tax registration could expose you to back taxes, fines, or administrative complications.
For a more general view, you can read our article detailing what exactly foreigners can own and buy in DR Congo.
If you are an American, you might want to read our blog article detailing the property rights of US citizens in DR Congo.
Are there minimum-stay rules and maximum nights-per-year caps for Airbnbs in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Kinshasa does not have a published citywide maximum nights-per-year cap or mandatory minimum-stay rule for short-term rentals like you see in many European and North American cities.
These rules do not differ by property type or host residency status in Congo-Kinshasa because there simply are no official restrictions in place at this time.
What you will notice, however, is that the market itself skews heavily toward longer stays, with over 50% of Kinshasa listings requiring minimum stays of 30 nights or more, reflecting the corporate and expat nature of local demand.
Do I have to live there, or can I Airbnb a secondary home in Congo-Kinshasa right now?
Kinshasa does not have a widely documented "primary residence only" requirement for short-term rental hosts, which means you are not required to live in the property you rent out.
Owners of secondary homes and investment properties can legally operate short-term rentals in Congo-Kinshasa, provided their title or lease permits subletting and their building rules allow short stays.
There are no additional permits specifically required for non-primary residence rentals in Kinshasa beyond the general business and tax formalization that may apply if you operate commercially.
The practical difference between renting a primary versus secondary home in Congo-Kinshasa is minimal from a regulatory standpoint, though secondary properties may face more scrutiny on building access and security arrangements.
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Congo-Kinshasa
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Can I run multiple Airbnbs under one name in Congo-Kinshasa right now?
Running multiple Airbnb listings under one name is generally allowed in Congo-Kinshasa because there is no published cap on the number of properties a single host can operate.
There is no maximum number of properties one person or entity can list for short-term rental in Kinshasa, unlike cities such as Barcelona or Amsterdam where strict limits exist.
If you scale to multiple units, you should consider formalizing as a business through the GUCE registration process and ensure your tax position is properly structured with the DGI.
Do I need a short-term rental license or a business registration to host in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Kinshasa does not have a clearly published, Airbnb-specific short-term rental license regime comparable to permit systems in heavily regulated cities.
The national tourism framework anticipates authorization for tourism accommodation activities, but implementing details have lagged, meaning there is no streamlined STR license application process.
If you host regularly for profit, especially across multiple units, it is sensible to register via GUCE in Gombe, which requires identity documents, proof of address, and a business activity declaration.
Registration costs through GUCE are relatively modest, typically under $200 for basic establishment filings, though ongoing tax obligations will depend on your revenue and business structure.
Are there neighborhood bans or restricted zones for Airbnb in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are no widely published neighborhood bans or restricted zones for short-term rentals in Kinshasa.
What functions like a de facto "restricted zone" in practice is more about security and access, with guests strongly preferring areas perceived as safer like Gombe and parts of Ngaliema, which naturally concentrates STR supply there.
The absence of formal zoning restrictions means you can theoretically operate in any commune, though properties outside the premium areas may face lower demand and more variable occupancy.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Congo-Kinshasa compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
How much can an Airbnb earn in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
What's the average and median nightly price on Airbnb in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average nightly price for an Airbnb in Kinshasa is approximately $87 (around 195,000 CDF or €75), while the median sits closer to $78 (around 175,000 CDF or €67) because high-end villas pull the average upward.
The typical nightly price range covering roughly 80% of Kinshasa Airbnb listings falls between $45 and $150 (100,000 to 335,000 CDF, or €39 to €129), with most concentrated in the $60 to $110 band.
The single biggest factor affecting nightly pricing in Kinshasa is location, specifically whether the property is in a premium business district like Gombe or Ngaliema versus more local neighborhoods like Limete or Matete.
By the way, you will find much more detailed profitability rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Congo-Kinshasa.
How much do nightly prices vary by neighborhood in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, nightly Airbnb prices in Kinshasa can vary by more than $100 between the most expensive areas like Gombe (averaging $110 to $180 per night, or 245,000 to 400,000 CDF, €95 to €155) and more affordable neighborhoods like Limete or Matete (averaging $35 to $85 per night, or 78,000 to 190,000 CDF, €30 to €73).
The three neighborhoods with the highest average nightly prices in Kinshasa are Gombe, Binza (in Ngaliema), and Ma Campagne (also in Ngaliema), where secured apartments and villas can command $130 to $180 per night (290,000 to 400,000 CDF, €112 to €155).
The three neighborhoods with the lowest average nightly prices are Limete, Lemba, and Masina, where rates typically range from $35 to $70 per night (78,000 to 156,000 CDF, €30 to €60), though guests still book there for budget stays or when visiting family in those areas.
What's the typical occupancy rate in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the typical occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Kinshasa is around 47%, which translates to roughly 14 booked nights out of every 30-day month.
Most Kinshasa listings see occupancy rates ranging from 30% to 55%, with well-managed properties in premium locations reaching the higher end of that range.
Compared to major African tourism hubs like Cape Town or Marrakech, Kinshasa's occupancy is lower because the market is driven more by business travel and extended stays than by leisure tourism.
The single biggest factor for achieving above-average occupancy in Kinshasa is operational reliability, meaning consistent power backup, fast internet, and responsive communication, rather than fancy decor or special amenities.
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What's the average monthly revenue per listing in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the average monthly revenue per Airbnb listing in Kinshasa is approximately $1,230 (around 2,750,000 CDF or €1,060), calculated from the combination of the $87 average nightly rate and 47% occupancy.
Most Kinshasa listings generate monthly revenues in the range of $700 to $1,800 (1,560,000 to 4,020,000 CDF, or €600 to €1,550), depending on location, property quality, and host responsiveness.
Top-performing Airbnb listings in Kinshasa, especially those in Gombe with excellent reviews and reliable infrastructure, can achieve monthly revenues of $2,500 to $3,500 (5,580,000 to 7,820,000 CDF, or €2,150 to €3,010). This is calculated by combining a higher ADR of $130 to $150 with occupancy rates of 60% to 65%.
Finally, note that we give here all the information you need to buy and rent out a property in Congo-Kinshasa.
What's the typical low-season vs high-season monthly revenue in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, Kinshasa Airbnb hosts can expect low-season monthly revenues around $790 (1,765,000 CDF, €680) compared to high-season revenues of approximately $1,890 (4,220,000 CDF, €1,630), representing more than a 2x difference depending on timing.
Low season in Kinshasa typically includes quieter months with fewer conferences and events, while high season aligns with major business fairs like FICKIN, real estate events like SIC 2026 (January 24-25), the Congo River Marathon weekend in June, and international football matches at Stade des Martyrs.
What's a realistic Airbnb monthly expense range in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly operating expenses for a Kinshasa Airbnb range from $450 to $950 (1,000,000 to 2,120,000 CDF, €390 to €820) for a one to two-bedroom apartment, and from $900 to $2,000 (2,010,000 to 4,470,000 CDF, €775 to €1,720) for a house or villa.
The single largest expense category for most Kinshasa hosts is power-related costs, including generator fuel, inverter maintenance, and SNEL electricity bills, which can easily consume $150 to $400 monthly depending on usage.
Hosts in Kinshasa should typically expect to spend 40% to 60% of gross revenue on operating expenses, which is higher than many Western markets due to the infrastructure requirements like backup power and water reliability.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Congo-Kinshasa.
What's realistic monthly net profit and profit per available night for Airbnb in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, realistic monthly net profit for a well-run Kinshasa Airbnb ranges from $300 to $700 (670,000 to 1,560,000 CDF, €260 to €600), with profit per available night landing between $10 and $23 (22,000 to 51,000 CDF, €9 to €20).
Most Kinshasa listings see net profits in the $200 to $800 monthly range (450,000 to 1,790,000 CDF, €172 to €690), with significant variation based on location, occupancy consistency, and expense management.
Hosts in Kinshasa typically achieve net profit margins of 25% to 45% of gross revenue, which is tighter than markets with lower infrastructure costs but still viable for properties in premium locations.
The break-even occupancy rate for a typical Kinshasa Airbnb listing sits around 30% to 35%, meaning hosts need roughly 9 to 11 booked nights per month just to cover operating expenses before generating any profit.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Congo-Kinshasa, we explain the best strategies to improve your cashflows.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Congo-Kinshasa versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How competitive is Airbnb in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
How many active Airbnb listings are in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, there are approximately 959 active short-term rental listings in the Kinshasa market area, with 94% of them hosted on Airbnb specifically.
The Kinshasa STR market has grown steadily over recent years, though it remains much smaller than major African cities like Cape Town, Nairobi, or Lagos, reflecting the city's focus on business travel rather than mass tourism.
Which neighborhoods are most saturated in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the most saturated neighborhoods for Airbnb in Kinshasa are Gombe, Ngaliema (especially Binza and Ma Campagne), Lingwala, and Kintambo, where the concentration of business demand and expat presence draws most hosts.
These areas became saturated because they offer what guests value most in Kinshasa: proximity to embassies and corporate offices, perceived safety, reliable infrastructure, and convenient access to restaurants and services that cater to international visitors.
Relatively undersaturated neighborhoods that may offer opportunities for new hosts include parts of Barumbu, Kalamu, and the edges of Ngaliema away from the premium core, where lower competition could mean easier bookings for hosts willing to invest in security and guest amenities.
What local events spike demand in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the main events that spike Airbnb demand in Kinshasa include FICKIN (Foire Internationale du Congo Kinshasa), SIC 2026 (Salon de l'Immobilier Congolais on January 24-25 at Palais du Peuple), the Congo River Marathon in June, and international football matches at Stade des Martyrs including FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
During these peak events, Kinshasa hosts can see booking increases of 30% to 50% and nightly rate premiums of 20% to 40% above normal levels, especially for properties near event venues in Gombe and Lingwala.
Hosts should adjust pricing and availability at least 4 to 6 weeks before major events, as business travelers and event attendees often book earlier than typical Kinshasa guests.
What occupancy differences exist between top and average hosts in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, top-performing hosts in Kinshasa achieve occupancy rates of 60% to 65%, which means booking 18 to 20 nights per month compared to the market average.
The average host in Kinshasa sees occupancy around 47%, translating to roughly 14 booked nights monthly, so the gap between top performers and average hosts is about 10 to 20 percentage points.
New hosts in Kinshasa typically need 6 to 12 months to reach top-performer occupancy levels, as building reviews, establishing reliability, and developing guest communication skills take time in a market where trust matters more than flashy listings.
We give more details about the different Airbnb strategies to adopt in our property pack covering the real estate market in Congo-Kinshasa.
Which price points are most crowded, and where's the "white space" for new hosts in Congo-Kinshasa right now?
The nightly price range with the highest concentration of listings in Kinshasa is $60 to $110 (134,000 to 245,000 CDF, €52 to €95), where most one to two-bedroom entire-place apartments compete.
The most crowded price points are the $70 to $90 range (156,000 to 200,000 CDF, €60 to €77), while white space opportunities exist at the premium end ($110 to $160, or 245,000 to 357,000 CDF, €95 to €138) for truly business-ready units and in the monthly-stay segment for hosts who can offer corporate invoicing and consistent service.
To successfully compete in the underserved premium segment in Kinshasa, a new host would need verified backup power, fast and reliable internet, airport pickup coordination, professional guest communication, and a location in Gombe or the better parts of Ngaliema.
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What property works best for Airbnb demand in Congo-Kinshasa right now?
What bedroom count gets the most bookings in Congo-Kinshasa as of 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, one-bedroom properties get the most bookings in the Kinshasa Airbnb market, representing 54% of all listings and capturing the largest share of demand.
The booking rate breakdown by bedroom count in Kinshasa shows one-bedroom units at 54%, two-bedroom units at 31%, three-bedroom and larger properties at around 10%, and studios making up the remaining 5%.
One-bedroom apartments perform best in Kinshasa because the market is dominated by solo business travelers and consultants on corporate assignments who need functional, secure accommodations rather than large family spaces.
What property type performs best in Congo-Kinshasa in 2026?
As of the first half of 2026, the best-performing property type for Airbnb in Kinshasa is a modern one to two-bedroom apartment or condo in a secure building, particularly in Gombe, central Ngaliema, Lingwala, or Kintambo.
Apartments achieve more consistent occupancy rates (typically 45% to 55%) compared to houses and villas (typically 35% to 50%) because they are easier to make reliably functional with consistent power, water, and security at controlled costs.
Apartments outperform other property types in Kinshasa because the guest profile skews toward business travelers who prioritize reliability and convenience over space, and because the operational challenges of maintaining houses (security staffing, generator management, grounds upkeep) often eat into profit margins.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Congo-Kinshasa, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| AirDNA Kinshasa Market Overview | AirDNA is a widely used short-term rental data platform that tracks Airbnb and Vrbo supply and performance using consistent, transparent metrics. | We used it to anchor market size (active listings), ADR, occupancy, RevPAR, and bedroom/property type mix for Kinshasa. We then computed realistic monthly revenue bands and profitability scenarios from these core metrics. |
| Airbnb Short-term Rental Regulations Guidance | This is Airbnb's official policy guidance reflecting how the platform expects hosts to comply with local rules. | We used it to frame the default compliance duties like local law checks, taxes, and safety rules. We applied it as a guardrail where Kinshasa-specific rules are limited or not clearly codified online. |
| DGI (Direction Générale des Impôts) VAT Page | It's the official DRC tax authority website providing guidance on consumption taxation. | We used it to ground the discussion of consumption taxation that can apply to paid accommodation services. We justified treating STR hosting as potentially VAT-relevant when structured as a business. |
| Leganet VAT Law (Ordonnance-loi n°10/001) | Leganet is a major legal publishing and reference portal for DRC laws and official texts. | We used it to cross-check VAT concepts like scope and thresholds and avoid relying on secondary summaries. We treated it as the legal text complement to the DGI explainer page. |
| DRC Tourism Framework Law (Loi n°18-018, July 9, 2018) | It's a direct copy of the enacted tourism framework law that governs tourism activities in the DRC. | We used it to ground the idea that tourism activities can be subject to authorization and oversight. We explained why furnished, paid stays can be treated closer to tourism accommodation than a plain long-term lease. |
| UNEP/LEAP Legal Database Entry | UNEP's legal database is an institutional reference that catalogs and summarizes national legislation. | We used it to triangulate the tourism law's scope and confirm we're referencing the correct legal instrument. We treated it as a structured index alongside the full PDF. |
| SWM Programme Legal Hub | It's an institutional legal hub that summarizes statutory requirements and implementation status for DRC. | We used it to clarify that while the tourism law anticipates authorizations, implementing details can lag. We explained why Kinshasa STR rules feel light in practice compared with cities that have explicit STR bylaws. |
| Ministry of Economy Business Creation Page | It's an official government ministry page describing formal business registration pathways in the DRC. | We used it to explain how a host can formalize through GUCE if operating as a business. We answered the business registration question in a Kinshasa-realistic way with practical details. |
| ANAPI (National Investment Agency) Procedures | ANAPI is a national investment promotion agency and publishes official procedural guidance for businesses. | We used it to cross-check the registration process from a second public institution. We kept the compliance advice concrete for non-professional hosts. |
| Invest in DRC Portal | It's ANAPI's public-facing portal with practical steps and addresses for business creation. | We used it to add operational detail about where GUCE is located in Gombe and what it provides. We corroborated the Ministry of Economy guidance with this source. |
| Banque Centrale du Congo Exchange Rate Page | It's the DRC central bank and the official source for indicative foreign exchange rates. | We used it to anchor USD to CDF context because many Kinshasa rentals price in USD while costs can be mixed. We used early-January 2026 rates to discuss currency risk concretely. |
| BCC Macro Note (August 2025) | It's an official BCC publication discussing growth and inflation conditions in the DRC. | We used it to set the macroeconomic backdrop that influences travel demand and operating costs. We justified including a currency and inflation buffer in expense estimates. |
| World Bank International Tourism Arrivals Data | The World Bank is a top-tier international statistical publisher with documented methodologies. | We used it to characterize the country-level tourism base that feeds Kinshasa demand even when city-specific data is sparse. We applied it only for directional context, not precise forecasting. |
| IMF 2024 Article IV Press Release (DRC) | The IMF is a primary source for macroeconomic assessment and program monitoring worldwide. | We used it to triangulate the macro risk environment relevant to business travel and expat presence. We justified scenario-based demand assumptions rather than a single "perfect" forecast. |
| FICKIN Official Site | It's the organizer's official channel for the major Kinshasa international fair updates. | We used it as evidence that Kinshasa hosts large recurring fairs that can spike short-stay demand. We built the events calendar section from this and similar sources. |
| Salon de l'Immobilier Congolais (SIC 2026) | It's the event's official publication of dates and venue for the real estate salon. | We used it to show how conferences at the Palais du Peuple create short bursts of demand in Gombe and Lingwala. We cited it as a concrete January 2026 example. |
| Congo River Marathon Race Calendar | It's a recognized international race calendar that publishes event dates and logistics. | We used it to support a mid-year demand bump tied to a known Kinshasa sporting event. We explained why weekend spikes matter even in a smaller STR market. |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Fixtures | FIFA is the primary source for international football match fixtures and venues worldwide. | We used it to justify that matches at Stade des Martyrs can create short demand surges. We applied it only for the event-driven spikes logic, not for year-round averages. |
| Wise Currency Converter | Wise provides mid-market exchange rates that are widely trusted for accurate currency conversions. | We used it to convert USD figures to EUR for international readers. We provided all monetary figures in USD, CDF, and EUR for accessibility. |
| AirROI Congo-Kinshasa Market Data | AirROI provides supplementary STR analytics with neighborhood-level breakdowns and revenue tiers. | We used it to cross-validate AirDNA figures and to understand revenue distribution across property performance tiers. We referenced their regulatory monitoring notes for compliance context. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Congo-Kinshasa. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.