Quick answerMbuji-Mayi is a city in Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 2,892,000 people inside the city limits in 2023. It is best known for the Diamond mining, the Mbuji-Mayi River and the University of Kasai. Its official language is French, and its currency is the Congolese franc.
Mbuji-Mayi is a city in the south-central Democratic Republic of the Congo, with about 2.9 million people in the urban area (2023). It is the capital of Kasaï-Oriental Province and the traditional centre of the country's diamond mining.
Key facts
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|---|---|
| Population (city) | 2,892,000 (2023) |
| Elevation | 549 m above sea level |
| Time zone | Africa/Lubumbashi |
| Language | French |
| Currency | Congolese franc (CDF, FC) |
| Coordinates | 6.1261° S, 23.5997° E |
Overview
Mbuji-Mayi is a city in the south-central Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the Mbuji-Mayi River, and the capital of Kasaï-Oriental Province. The urban area had 2,892,000 people in 2023, and the city sits 549 metres above sea level. Its name comes from the Tshiluba language and means 'goat-water', after the many goats once kept in the region.
The city grew from a mining camp built in 1914, when diamonds were found in the area, and was known as Bakwanga until it was renamed Mbuji-Mayi in 1961. The mining company MIBA ran the city for decades, building its roads, water and power, and at its peak the area supplied most of the world's industrial diamonds. In 1960 the city briefly became the capital of the secessionist Mining State of South Kasai.
Today Mbuji-Mayi handles most of the diamond mining, panning and production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and its Avenue Inga is lined with diamond buyers. Despite its size, the city remains remote, with few road links to Kinshasa or Lubumbashi, and it is served by Mbuji Mayi Airport. Its landmarks include the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bonzola and the University of Kasai.
What Mbuji-Mayi is known for
- Diamond mining
- Mbuji-Mayi River
- University of Kasai
- Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bonzola
- Luba culture
- Avenue Inga diamond trade
Landmarks
- Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Bonzola
- Mbuji-Mayi River
- University of Kasai
- Avenue Inga
- Mbuji Mayi Airport
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mbuji-Mayi?
About 2.9 million people live in the Mbuji-Mayi urban area (2,892,000 in 2023). The exact population is not known for certain, and estimates have ranged widely, from about 1.5 million to about 3.5 million. That makes Mbuji-Mayi one of the largest cities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What is Mbuji-Mayi famous for?
Mbuji-Mayi is famous as the traditional centre of diamond mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, built on top of one of the largest known diamond deposits in the world. It is the capital of Kasaï-Oriental Province and the heart of Luba culture, and its name means 'goat-water' in the local Tshiluba language.
Where is Mbuji-Mayi located?
Mbuji-Mayi is in the south-central Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the Mbuji-Mayi River in the land of the Luba people. It is the capital of Kasaï-Oriental Province and lies between Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, though it is remote and poorly connected by road. Its coordinates are 6.13° S, 23.60° E.
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Keep exploring
- Democratic Republic of the Congo — the country Mbuji-Mayi is in
- Kinshasa — another city in Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Lubumbashi — another city in Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kananga — another city in Democratic Republic of the Congo
- All cities in Democratic Republic of the Congo
- All countries — the full list
Sources & last updated
Last updated: . Figures are shown with their year; where sources disagree, the value is left out rather than estimated.