Kolwezi, Aug. 10, 2026 (TOP243NEWS).- Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka Saini officially launched Lualaba Mobilité (LUMO) on Monday, a provincial public transport company established to strengthen mass transit in Kolwezi, with 29 buses being put into service.
The new fleet is divided among three services: nine buses for inter-school transport, 10 for inter-university transport and 10 for inter-community transport, according to data presented at the launch ceremony.
The initiative is aimed at improving mobility for residents of Kolwezi, a rapidly growing mining city where demand for public transport has increased in recent years amid demographic and economic expansion.
The buses, purchased with funds from the Lualaba provincial government, are expected to facilitate transportation for pupils, students and other passengers, while helping to further structure the city’s public transport network.
Lualaba Mobilité is part of a reform program undertaken by the provincial government. The company is one of four provincial public enterprises established under Provincial Order No. 036/07/2025, alongside the Lualaba Energy Company, the Lualaba Mining and Geology Company and the Lualaba Hospital Management Company.
When the entities were established, Governor Fifi Masuka urged their managers to prioritize discipline, accountability and good governance, with the aim of turning them into effective instruments for provincial development.
A management challenge
Beyond acquiring the buses, LUMO’s main challenge will now be to ensure regular services, maintain its fleet, guarantee passenger safety and keep fares affordable.
According to provincial authorities, the new company should also contribute to job creation and improve the quality of public services provided to residents.
The launch comes as Kolwezi undergoes a gradual modernization of its road and urban infrastructure, aimed at improving traffic flow and connectivity between the city’s various neighborhoods.
With its first buses now in service, Lualaba Mobilité is moving from the institutional phase to the operational phase.
For the provincial government, LUMO represents a new tool to address mobility needs in a province that plays a strategic role in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining economy.
Mike Pakoto | TOP243NEWS