The city of Kinshasa has had a different status under each of the different regimes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa was alternatively a commune, a city, a region, and a city-province hybrid. Consequently, the political leaders of the city have born different titles between 1960 and this day.

Bourgmestre of Léopoldville

• Daniel Kanza (1960–1962)
• Zoao Boniface (1963–1965)

Governor of Léopoldville (1966–1968)

• Colonel Bangala
• Paul Nauwelaerts

Governor of the Kinshasa region (1969–1980)

• Jean Foster Manzikala
• Ndjoku E'Yobaba
• Sakombi Inongo
• Mandungu Mbula Nyati
• Mabolia Inengo Tra Buato

Regional President of the MPR for the Kinshasa Region

• Kisombe Kiaku Mwisi (1980–1981)
• Sakombi Ekope (1981–1983)
• Kabaydi wa Kabaydi (1983–1985)
• Nzita Puati interim (1984–1985)
• Tshimbombo Mukunda (1985–1986)
• Catherine Nzuzi wa Mbombo (1986)
• Konde Vila Kikanda (1987–1989)
• General Gabriel Amela Lokima Bahati (1989–1990)
• Moleka Nzulama (1990)

Governor of Kinshasa

• Fundu Kota (1991–1992)
• Kibabu Madiata Nzau (1992)
• Bernardin Mungul Diaka (1992—1996)
• Mujinga Swana (January—February 1996)
• Nkoy Mafuta (August 1996—May 1997)
• General Gabriel Amela Lokima Bahati (April—May 1997)
• Théophile Mbemba Fundu (1997—2001)
• Christophe Muzungu (May 2001—November 26, 2001)
• Loka Ne Kongo [fr] (November 26, 2001—June 5, 2002)
• David Nku Imbié (June 2002—May 16, 2004)
• Jean Kimbunda (May 16, 2004—November 15, 2005)
• Kimbembe Mazunga (November 15, 2005—October 16, 2006)
• Admiral Baudoin Liwanga (October 16, 2006 ^[1]—March 16, 2007)
• André Kimbuta)^[2] (March 16, 2007–2019)
• Gentiny Ngobila Mbaka^[2] (May 7, 2019– )