This study presents a geospatial analysis of fuel station distribution and a systematic evaluation of compliance with safety standards in the commune of Kasa-Vubu and the Funa district of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Based on an approach combining geographic information systems (GIS), digital cartography and field observations, this research draws on data from the Ministry of Hydrocarbons (September 2024), OpenStreetMap data and a complementary study by Target SARL (2025). The objective is to assess the extent to which the current location of fuel stations complies with national and international safety standards (NFPA 30, IFC 2009, World Bank guidelines) and to analyse the implications of their spatial distribution for urban organisation, the environment and population safety. The results reveal a disproportionate concentration of fuel stations in densely populated areas, with 66.7% of establishments located less than 100 metres from sensitive infrastructure (schools, markets, health facilities). The regulatory compliance analysis shows that only 17.5% of stations comply with the minimum safety distances prescribed by Congolese regulations. These findings confirm the hypothesis that the location of fuel stations is primarily driven by economic and urban-mobility logics, to the detriment of safety and land-use planning standards, thereby exposing populations to significant environmental and health risks.
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