Good day all,

I would like to know what is it like living in Lubumbashi in 2026.

For context, I'm a Congolese who grew up in Lubumbashi and left 14 years ago. I'm actually living and working in Cape Town, South Africa.

There is a possible job opportunity that might requires my relocation to Lubumbashi.

I'm getting mixed up information from my family and friends, hence my questions to the reddit community:

- How is the safety there? I have heard story of armed thieves breaking in people's house.

- Is it true that there is a high level of jealousy at work places towards the diaspora to a point of harming them? (Poison, witchcraft etc...)

- What are the cost of living? I mean rent in a safe area, food, transport, health (private doctors), entertainment, additional security measures if required.

- What are the safest area to live in? Is it still Golf? Does anyone know about rental in Lwano City or similar estate?

- Do you guys think that a salary of roughly 4000 to 4500$ a month is enough for a family of 3?

- And for those who were out of the country and went back: was it worth it? Do you regret going back? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks in advance

I am an American who is looking to invest into the DRC and its local people for the forseeable future and i have no local contacts/partners who i can do business with in the area i plan on working (Kinshasa).

I have some friends who are spread out across the country but i'm looking for networking opportunities in the capital as i see more of a future for myself there. If you know anyone who would be interested in a short converstation with me or anyone who might be interested in any:

1. Security/Defense Solutions (guards, secure transport, training, security advice)

2. Logistical Support (expert solutions for supply chain planning)

3. Shipping Expertise (advice and mentoring from private and commerical sailors)

4. Pilots (private and commerical plane pilots, helicopter pilots)

5. Technology Support (IT modernisation, cybersecurity and data solutions)

and many more.

Then send me a message, thank you for your time.

I saw this app/site on TikTok and I wanted to share it here, because I think many of you will appreciate it.

Leopards Watch (leopardswatch.com) identifies and tracks Congolese players (DRC) who play in Europe and North Africa. Player files, statistics, transfers, and the young nuggets to follow. Exactly the kind of centralised tool that was missing: a single place to see where our Leopards evolve, instead of information scattered between tweets and club sites.

With the 2026 World Cup and all the pride around the Leopards right now, it’s really the right time for this kind of project. And it’s created by someone from our own community, it deserves support.

Go take a look and test this: leopardswatch.com

Do not hesitate to say what you think, or if players are missing!

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdQNdxce/

🐆🇨🇩

Mbote,
could anyone recommend any cool movies about Congolese history? Preferably set in pre-colonial times, but anything works, really.
Natondi bio

This lesson covers essential everyday greetings, polite expressions, and simple questions. Practice these first to start conversations and show basic courtesy in Lingala.

Mbote.

Hello.

Tikala malamu.

Goodbye. (said to someone staying)

Botikala malamu.

Goodbye. (said to more than one person staying)

Kende malamu.

Goodbye. (said to someone leaving)

Bokende malamu.

Goodbye. (said to more than one person leaving)

Eeh.

Yes.

Teeh.

No.

Olobaka Anglais / Kingelezo?

Do you speak English?

Palado.

Excuse me. (to get attention)

Limbisa nga naino naleka.

Excuse me. (to pass) (Lit.: Let me pass please.)

Malamu te. / Likambo te.

Okay.

S'il vous plaît. / Nanu ko.

Please. (preceded by a verb of action)

Meleesi na yo. / Natondi yo.

Thank you.

Likambo te.

You're welcome.

Limbisa ngai. Eza na yango likambo te.

Sorry. It doesn't matter.

Nalingi ...

I need ...

Salisa nga!

Help!

Esika ya toilette ezali wapi?

Where is the bathroom?

Nani?

Who?

Nini?

What?

Pona nini?

Why?

Esika nini? / Esika wapi?

Where?

Tango nini? / Ngonga nini?

When?

Ekoteli / porte

Entrance

Ebimeli

Exit

Fungola

Open

Ekangama

Closed

Malamu

Good

Mabe

Bad

Oyo

This

Oyo wana

That

Awa

Here

Wana

There

Mbote.

Good morning / afternoon / night.

Boyei malamu / bienvenu!

Welcome!

Oza[li] ndenge nini? Oza[li] malamu?

How are you? (Lit.: Are you all right?)

Naza[li] malamu, merci. Bongo yo? / Na yo?

I'm fine, thank you. And you?

Tokokutana mikolo oyo.

See you soon.

Tokokutana sima.

See you later.

Tokokutana lobi.

See you tomorrow.

Zala malamu! / Omibatela malamu!

Take care!

Hello everyone

I just finished university and I’m currently trying to support myself. I’m fluent in Lingala and would like to offer online Lingala lessons to anyone interested (beginners or intermediate).

If you’ve been wanting to learn or improve your Lingala, I’d be happy to help. We can do simple, practical lessons focused on conversation.

You can reach me on WhatsApp: +254 722 210 170

Or just send me a DM here on Reddit.

Thank you for the support. Any help or interest means a lot right now.

Stay blessed.

Especially the part where he sais "église". Is he cursing/swearing?

Thank you 🙏🏼

Hello, I'm British-Congolese and I run a free, monthly Substack newsletter about African fashion that some of you may be interested in. It includes news updates, interviews with designers, fashion history, product recommendations and much more.

Subscribe/read here: atelierafrica.substack.com

Mbote na bino nyonso!

Here is a structured Lingala lesson focused on terms related to transportation and travel.

1. Mobembo

   Trip / Journey / Travel (plural: mibembo).

   Definition: A journey or travel from one place to another.

   Example: Mobembo elamu = Safe journey / Good trip.

2. Kotambola

   To walk / To travel / To move around.

   Definition: To walk, travel, move, or go on a journey.

   Example: Kotambola mpenza = To travel a lot.

3. Mutuka

   Car / Automobile / Vehicle (plural: mituka).

   Definition: A motor vehicle or car.

   Example: Mutuka monene = A large car / truck.

4. Engunduka

   Train.

   Definition: A train or locomotive.

   Example: Kotambola na engunduka = Traveling by train.

5. Mpepo

   Airplane / Plane.

   Definition: An aircraft or airplane.

   Example: Mpepo epumbawi = The airplane took off.

6. Bato

   Boat / Canoe (plural: mabato).

   Definition: A boat, watercraft, or canoe used for transport on water.

   Example: Bato na mai = A boat on the water.

7. Nsingo

   Taxi / Hire car.

   Definition: A paid vehicle for short distance transport or taxi.

   Example: Komata na nsingo = To get into a taxi.

8. Nzela

   Road / Path / Way.

   Definition: A street, road, track, or path.

   Example: Nzela eza molai = The road is long.

9. Kokende

   To go / To leave.

   Definition: To travel away from a place or depart.

   Example: Nazokende na mboka = I am going to the village/country.

10. Komata

To board / To climb / To get in.

Definition: To ascend, climb, or board a vehicle.

Example: Komata na mutuka = To get into the car.

1. Kitisa
   

To drop off / To lower.

Definition: To cause something or someone to go down or disembark.

Example: Kitisa ngai awa = Drop me off here.

1. Kopesa
   

To give / To pay.

Definition: To offer, hand over, or pay a fee.

Example: Kopesa mbongo ya nzela = To pay the travel fare.

1. Mbongo
   

Money / Fare.

Definition: Currency or money used to pay for travel.

Example: Mbongo ya transport = Transport fare.

1. Zando
   

Market / Station area.

Definition: A market place or busy stop in transport routes.

Example: Zando ya mituka = Bus or car station.

1. Kosuka
   

To stop / To reach the end.

Definition: To end, terminate, or stop at a destination.

Example: Nzela esuki awa = The road ends here.

1. Mopaya
   

Traveler / Visitor / Guest.

Definition: A person on a trip or visiting from elsewhere.

Example: Nazali mopaya = I am a visitor / traveler.

1. Mboka
   

Destination / Town / Homeland.

Definition: The village, town, or country one travels to.

Example: Kokoma na mboka = To arrive at the destination.

1. Koyebisa
   

To inform / To announce.

Definition: To tell or notify about departure or arrival times.

Example: Yebisa ngai ntango okokoma = Tell me when you arrive.

1. Likama
   

Accident / Danger.

Definition: Danger, misfortune, or traffic accident.

Example: Batela na likama = Watch out for danger/accidents.

1. Kozonga
   

To return / To come back.

Definition: To return back from a trip or journey.

Example: Kozonga na ndako = To return home.

I’m looking for an experienced professional or entrepreneur in the automotive spare parts retail business who can mentor me on scaling operations, improving inventory management, customer retention, procurement, and growing from retail into a stronger B2B and B2C supply business.
I’m serious about learning from someone with real industry experience.
If you have experience in this field and are open to sharing your knowledge, please DM me.

Lancement du groupe whatsapp pour le jeux d'échec à bukavu intéressé laissez ton numéro

Mbote na bino nyonso!

The word mboka means "village," "country," "town," or "homeland." Depending on the context, it can refer to a local rural village, a whole nation, or your place of origin.

1. Banzete oyo ebebisi mboka.

   It is the trees that have damaged the village.

2. Nkolo mboka.

   Indigenous / authentic native of the land.

3. Engumba mokonzi / Mboka mokonzi.

   Capital city (head town/country).

4. Mundele mboka.

   Mayor / administrator (historically local colonial territorial agents).

5. Bayi mboka.

   Locals / citizens of the country.

6. Mwana mboka.

   Compatriot / citizen / native son or daughter.

7. Kombo ya mboka to kombo ya ndako?

   Family/tribal name, or forename (the name used at home)?

8. Na mboka Swisi, kotambola na engunduka ezali kosalema mingi.

   In Switzerland, traveling by train is done very often.

9. Koyekola nkota moko ya mboka.

   To learn a local language of the country.

10. Batongaka mboka na maloba te.

A country is not built with words. *(Proverb)*

1. Congo ezali mboka monene na Afrika mobimba.
   

Congo is a huge country in the whole of Africa.

1. Nazokende na mboka ya mopaya mpo na kosilisa kelasi na ngai.
   

I am going to a foreign country (abroad) to finish my studies.

1. Nkombo na yo ya mboka ezali nini?
   

What is your native/family name?

1. Mokonzi ya mboka azali moto monene.
   

The president of the country is an important personality.

1. Nazolinga kotinda biloko na mboka.
   

I want to send things back to the country/home village.

1. Papa na ye atongisi lopitalo moko ya monene na mboka.
   

His father built a big hospital in the village.

1. Toza kokende na mboka mpo na matanga.
   

We are going to the village for a funeral.

Have you moved to Lubumbashi and found it surprisingly difficult to meet people you can comfortably speak English with?

Maybe you’re an international resident, an English-speaking Congolese, a young professional, entrepreneur, student, or simply someone who enjoys being around people from different backgrounds.

I’m building a social community for us.

Lubumbashi Social Club is about meeting new people, making genuine friends, having conversations, discovering the city, sharing cultures, and simply having a good time ,in English.

No English lessons. No forced networking. No complicated membership.

Just good people, good conversations, and a place where you know you can find other English speakers.

☕ Coffee meetups
🏃 Sports & activities
🌍 Cultural exchange
🤝 New friendships
💡 Ideas, conversations & collaboration

If you're in Lubumbashi and can comfortably communicate in English, you’re welcome.

👉 Join the WhatsApp community:

Join Lubumbashi Social Club

Come as you are. Find your people. 🌍🤝

Lubumbashi Social Club
Meet • Speak • Connect • Belong

Bonjour à tous ! Je suis un étranger travaillant actuellement à Kinshasa (dans le secteur du photovoltaïque, de l'énergie solaire et du stockage d'énergie). J'aimerais mieux comprendre les différentes communes de la ville pour la vie quotidienne, la sécurité et les sorties.

• Quels sont les quartiers les plus recommandés pour les expatriés ?
• J'entends souvent parler de la Gombe, Ngaliema et Limete. Quelles sont les vraies différences d'ambiance entre elles ?
• Y a-t-il des zones à éviter absolument, surtout le soir ?

Merci d'avance pour vos conseils !

Hi everyone! I’m an English-speaking professional who recently relocated back to Congo (Kinshasa) and I’m currently looking for job opportunities.

Hey everyone!

I’m starting Lubumbashi Social Club, a social community for English-speaking people living in Lubumbashi — especially international residents, people who recently moved here, students, professionals, and anyone looking to expand their social circle.

The idea is simple: meet people, make friends, speak English, exchange cultures, chill, and have fun. No English classes, no pressure — just a welcoming community.

👉 Join us on WhatsApp and be part of the community:
Join the Lubumbashi Social Club WhatsApp Group

If you speak English and live in Lubumbashi, come join us! 🌍🤝🇨🇩

Lubumbashi Social Club
Meet • Speak • Connect

am a Biomedical Engineer and medical equipment sales and marketing professional in Zambia with experience in supplying, installing and servicing medical equipment, as well as working with healthcare institutions.
I am looking for a strategic investor or business partner to help build a medical equipment supply and biomedical engineering services company focused on Zambia and the wider region.
The opportunity includes equipment supply, maintenance, installation, technical support and healthcare-focused sales. I bring biomedical engineering expertise, sales and marketing experience, industry knowledge, and relationships within the healthcare sector.
I am open to discussing a reasonable investment amount and a fair equity partnership structure. Serious investors or strategic partners are welcome to DM me.

Bonjour,

Est-ce que des gens ici connaissent des clubs à Kinshasa qui donnent cours de grappling/jiu jitsu ou lutte les samedi et dimanche ? Merci pour vos réponses.