Decentralization and public service provision in Kinshasa

The wind of democratization that influenced political life in the Democratic Republic of Congo was a historic moment that coincided with a series of events that had an impact on the African ukase. The success of liberalism after the Cold War led to democratic conditionalities under pressure from the West. The way had to be paved for a new democratic order. Decentralization thus proved to be the preferred mode of governance in post-dictatorial countries, with a view to consolidating democracy and improving the provision of public goods and services. However, decentralization has a long way to go, as the sharing of competences and resources between the State and the city remains a problem.