Kinshasa, formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966, is the capital and largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is on…Kinshasa, formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966, is the capital and largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, with an estimated population of 17 million in 2024. It is the most densely populated city in the DRC, the most populous city and third-largest metropolitan area in Africa, and the world's twenty-second most populous city and fourth-most populous capital city. It is the leading economic, political, and cultural center of the DRC, housing several industries including manufacturing, telecommunications, banking, and entertainment. The city also hosts some of DRC's significant institutional buildings, such as the People's Palace, Palace of the Nation, Court of Cassation, Constitutional Court, African Union City, Marble Palace, Martyrs Stadium, Government House, Kinshasa Financial Center, and other national departments and agencies.