Mobility capacities and smartphone use of students in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Many African cities have been experiencing a digital transformation over the past few years. As people become more familiar with digital tools, particularly smartphones, in their daily lives, their uses and practices in terms of mobility are also evolving. This paper aims to explore the impact of smartphones and digital platforms on mobility capacities by targeting students at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN). The methodological approach combines observations and semi-structured interviews with fifty-two students, as well as fifteen experts involved in the field of mobility and transport. The results of our study reveal that students in Kinshasa have constantly adapted complex mobility behaviour, that result from challenging transport conditions and relatively high insecurity in public space. In contrast to observations in other African cities, this study reveals limited adoption of digital tools and navigation applications among the students, mainly due to the lack of digitally-enabled transport services, their high cost, and the context of perceived insecurity in public space.