DR Congo pushes ahead with Kinshasa Arena project

Article posted by Coliseum, May 1^st, 2026

Image: Africa View Facts

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is forging ahead with the Kinshasa Arena project in the country’s capital city.

Business of Sports Africa said that the development is a multi-purpose 20,000 capacity venue set to become the largest indoor arena in Africa when it opens in 2026.

Backed by President Félix Tshisekedi, the Kinshasa Arena project will position Kinshasa as a regional hub for major sports and entertainment events.

With a planned 20,000-seat capacity, Kinshasa Arena is set to become the continent’s premier indoor venue.

The new arena was first announced in 2022 when President Tshisekedi promised the building of a new 20,000-seater arena following the DR Congo men’s national team gold medal win in the FIBA AfroCan 2019.

The DR Congo signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish contractor SUMMA, who had earlier built the BK Arena and Dakar Arena in Africa.

Construction started in 2023 with completion expected in 2026 at a cost of $105 million.

The venue will host basketball, concerts, exhibitions, and large-scale entertainment events, expanding the DRC’s ability to compete in the global events economy.

The arena is part of a broader push to improve infrastructure in the DRC capital, aiming to attract large-scale international events to the region.

Located next to the Stade des Martyrs, the arena development is part of a broader vision to establish a concentrated sports and entertainment district in the capital.

The Kinshasa Arena development is being delivered by SUMMA, which has previously delivered both the BK Arena and the Dakar Arena on the continent.

The Kinshasa Arena project reflects a growing trend across Africa toward multi-purpose indoor venues as governments diversify beyond football-led infrastructure.

For DRC the investment is designed to unlock new revenue streams across sports and entertainment, support the growth of creative industries, and strengthen the domestic sports ecosystem, particularly basketball.

As competition intensifies across African markets to host global events, modern infrastructure is increasingly becoming a prerequisite.

Business of Sport Africa further stated that the Kinshasa Arena project positions the DRC alongside markets like Rwanda and Senegal that have already leveraged venue development to elevate their global sports profiles.

Recently, Masai Ujiri’s Zaria Group and the Kenyan Government announced a joint venture to build an arena in Nairobi, showing that the push for large-scale indoor venues is gaining momentum across the continent.

With completion targeted for 2026, the Kinshasa Arena development will be a key indicator of how infrastructure investment translates into sustained commercial activity.

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