Gombe (formerly known as Kalina), also known as La Gombe, or Downtown Kinshasa, is one of the
24 communes of
Kinshasa
Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the Capital city, capital and Cities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-grow ...
, in the western part of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Republic of the Congo), is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is t ...
. Encompassing a vast area of approximately 29.33 square kilometers (11.32 square miles), it is home to an approximate population of 49,024 residents (2014).
Functioning as both a
residential area
A residential area is a land used in which housing predominates, as opposed to industrial and commercial areas.
Housing may vary significantly between, and through, residential areas. These include single-family housing, multi-family residen ...
and a
central business district
A central business district (CBD) is the Commerce, commercial and business center of a city. It contains commercial space and offices, and in larger cities will often be described as a financial district. Geographically, it often coincides wit ...
, Gombe houses several key government institutions of the DRC, including the
''Palais de la Nation'', the
Central Bank of the Congo
The Central Bank of the Congo (, ), colloquially known by its acronym BCC, is the central bank of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its headquarters are located on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in Gombe, Kinshasa, surrounded by significant inst ...
, various
ministries
Ministry may refer to:
Government
* Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister
* Ministry (government department), a department of a government
Religion
* Christian mi ...
,
media organizations, and
diplomatic representations. Gombe serves as the epicenter for the DRC's leading financial establishments, the hub of its business activities, and the headquarters of the
(MONUSCO).
Originally housing colonial administrative offices, ''cités indigènes'', neighborhoods meant for non-colonists, formed around the area. Now it is Kinshasa's fastest-growing commune. According to a 2014 study by the U.S. research firm
Mercer
Mercer may refer to:
Business
* Mercer (automobile), a defunct American automobile manufacturer (1909–1925)
* Mercer (consulting firm), a human resources consulting firm headquartered in New York City, US
* Mercer (occupation), a merchant or tra ...
, Gombe is the most expensive place to live in
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
and globally. Development has increased significantly following 2015 with many new buildings being constructed near Avenue de Colonel Tshatshi including
Le Premier, the
Kinshasa Financial Center, Galeries la Fontaine, and the
Galleria Mall.
Geography
Location
The geographical boundaries of Gombe were formally established through Order No. 69-0042, promulgated on June 23, 1969. This legal decree delineates the commune's perimeters, marked by both natural and anthropogenic features:
Northeast
To the north and east, Gombe's boundaries are defined by the natural border of the
Congo River
The Congo River, formerly also known as the Zaire River, is the second-longest river in Africa, shorter only than the Nile, as well as the third-largest river in the world list of rivers by discharge, by discharge volume, following the Amazon Ri ...
. The delineation originates at the point closest to the confluence of the
Congo River
The Congo River, formerly also known as the Zaire River, is the second-longest river in Africa, shorter only than the Nile, as well as the third-largest river in the world list of rivers by discharge, by discharge volume, following the Amazon Ri ...
and the Gombe River, extending to the nearest junction where the Congo River converges with the Funa River.
From this juncture, the boundary follows the course of the Funa River until it intersects with the
Matadi–Kinshasa Railway
The Matadi–Kinshasa Railway ( French: ''Chemin de fer Matadi-Kinshasa'') is a railway line in Kongo Central province between Kinshasa, the capital of Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the port of Matadi.
The Matadi–Kinshasa Railway was bu ...
.
South
Towards the southwards, it tracks the railway to the Bitshiaku-Tshiaku River, marking an essential transition along the southern periphery.
The border then traces the Bitshiaku-Tshiaku River to Tabora Avenue's extended axis. It continues to Avenue du Télégraphe, merging with Avenue Bokasa, then Avenue Rwakadingi, Village, Lualaba, Wangata, and Mont des Arts Avenues. It connects to Avenue Victimes de la Rébellion, Avenue Du 24 Novembre, ending at Camp Lt Col Kokolo.
West
Heading westwards, the boundary goes from Camp Lt Col Kokolo to the high voltage line, descending to the Gombe River and its tributary meeting the Congo River. A conduit links the tributary to the Republic of Congo's nearest border point.
Administrative division
Statutorily, both the city and the commune operate as decentralized administrative units vested with juridical personhood, whereas neighborhoods (''quartiers'') function solely as administrative subdivisions lacking representation or independent legal standing (pursuant to Article 82-006). Each neighborhood is further partitioned into sub-entities known as avenues.
Gombe is divided into 10
quarters () and 198 avenues:
History
Before
Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...
an
colonialists
Colonialism is the control of another territory, natural resources and people by a foreign group. Colonizers control the political and tribal power of the colonised territory. While frequently an imperialist project, colonialism can also take ...
arrived, the fishing village of
Nshasa (now
Kinshasa
Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the Capital city, capital and Cities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-grow ...
) was founded and inhabited by the
Teke
Teke or Tekke can refer to:
People
* Teke (tribe), a tribe of southern Turkmenistan
* Teke people or Bateke, a Central African ethnic group
* Fatih Tekke (born 1977), Turkish footballer
* Kent Tekulve (born 1947), American baseball player
Places ...
and Humbu people along the
Congo River
The Congo River, formerly also known as the Zaire River, is the second-longest river in Africa, shorter only than the Nile, as well as the third-largest river in the world list of rivers by discharge, by discharge volume, following the Amazon Ri ...
.
Henry Morton Stanley
Sir Henry Morton Stanley (born John Rowlands; 28 January 1841 – 10 May 1904) was a Welsh-American explorer, journalist, soldier, colonial administrator, author, and politician famous for his exploration of Central Africa and search for missi ...
established a trading post adjacent to the village and named it
Léopoldville
Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, with an estimated population of 17 million ...
(modern-day
Kinshasa
Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the Capital city, capital and Cities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-grow ...
) after signing a treaty with the Teke chief Ntsuvila in 1887.
With the completion of the
Matadi-Kinshasa Railway, connecting the post to the
port of Matadi near the
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the ...
in 1898, and the construction of an oil pipeline in 1914, Léopoldville grew into a city.
The city extended eastward, covering the entire right bank of the
Boulevard Du 30 Juin
The Boulevard du 30 Juin ("Boulevard of June 30th") is a major 5‑km street in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is the city center's main transport artery, connecting the southern area of La Gombe with Kintambo and the Ngalie ...
, stretching from the
Kinshasa Central Station to the
National Pedagogical University.
An exclusive European-style district, accessible only to
white people
White is a Race (human categorization), racial classification of people generally used for those of predominantly Ethnic groups in Europe, European ancestry. It is also a Human skin color, skin color specifier, although the definition can var ...
, was established and named the "Kalina District," honoring Lieutenant E. Kallina, an
Austro-Hungarian
Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military and diplomatic alliance, it consist ...
soldier who served in the
Force Publique
The ''Force Publique'' (, "Public Force"; ) was the military of the Congo Free State and the Belgian Congo from 1885 to 1960. It was established after Belgian Army officers travelled to the Free State to found an armed force in the colony on L ...
.
In 1957, Léopoldville underwent administrative division into
communes
A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to:
Administrative-territorial entities
* Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township
** Communes of ...
, and the former Kalina District became one of the inaugural 13 communes of Léopoldville.
The transformation was formalized through the March 26, 1957 decree, appointing Belgian Robert Van Heck as the
burgomaster
Burgomaster (alternatively spelled burgermeister, ) is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chief magistrate or executive of a city or town. The name in English was derived from the Dutch .
In so ...
(fr. ''bourgmestre'') of the Kalina commune. Later, Mr. Ikama assumed leadership on June 30, 1960, following post-independence changes, a role he dutifully fulfilled until 1968.
Gombe derives its name from the Gombe River, which encircles seven communes at the heart of the city, a term borrowed from the traditional ruler "Humbu," who once governed the contemporary territory of
Selembao
Selembao is one of the 24 Communes of Kinshasa, communes that are the administrative divisions of Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Covering over 12 square kilometers and with an estimated population of 1,038,819 ...
in Kinshasa's southwest.
Following the nation's independence from
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
and the city's renaming to Kinshasa during
Mobutu Sese Seko
Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa za Banga ( ; born Joseph-Désiré Mobutu; 14 October 1930 – 7 September 1997), often shortened to Mobutu Sese Seko or Mobutu and also known by his initials MSS, was a Congolese politician and military officer ...
's ''
authenticité''-driven policies, the name Kalina was replaced with Gombe In October 1971.
Some notable former burgomasters of Gombe are
Catherine Nzuzi Wa Mbombo (1968-1970),
Marie-Rose Kasa-Vubu (1971-1974), Mabanza Tukalakiese (1977-1982), and
Albert-Joseph Kasongo Wa Kapinga (1982-1988).
Government and infrastructure
Gombe accommodates some of the DRC's principal governing bodies, including the ''
Palais de la Nation'' and the
Central Bank of the Congo
The Central Bank of the Congo (, ), colloquially known by its acronym BCC, is the central bank of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its headquarters are located on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in Gombe, Kinshasa, surrounded by significant inst ...
on the Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi. Various ministries, diplomatic and media organizations are also situated in Gombe. Kinshasa's City Hall and
Provincial Assembly are both located in Gombe. Parenthetically, the
DGM of the
Ministry of the Interior and Security is located in Gombe, as well as the headquarters of the
BPEA, an agency of the
Ministry of Transport and Channels of Communication
Ministry of Transport and Channels of Communication () is a ministry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Charles Mwando Nsimba is the minister.
The ''Bureau Permanent d’Enquêtes d’Accidents et Incidents d’Aviation (BPEA), Bureau Perma ...
.
MONUSCO
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or MONUSCO (an acronym based on its French name ), is a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A planned withdraw ...
, the
United Nations peacekeeping
Peacekeeping by the United Nations is a role of the United Nations's Department of Peace Operations and an "instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace". It is ...
force, is strategically located in Gombe. The
Boboto College is a prominent education institution located in Gombe
The
Régie de Distribution d'Eau (
REGIDESO), the national water utility enterprise, is located on
Boulevard Du 30 Juin
The Boulevard du 30 Juin ("Boulevard of June 30th") is a major 5‑km street in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is the city center's main transport artery, connecting the southern area of La Gombe with Kintambo and the Ngalie ...
in Gombe, whereas the
Société Nationale d'Électricité
Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL) is the national electricity company of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its head office building is located in the district of La Gombe in the capital city, Kinshasa. SNEL operates the Inga Dam fa ...
(SNEL), the national electricity company, also has its headquarters here.
Gare de l'Est
The Gare de l'Est (; English: "Station of the East" or "East station"), officially Paris Est, is one of the seven large mainline railway station termini in Paris, France. It is located in the 10th arrondissement, not far southeast from the Ga ...
, the principal
train station
A train station, railroad station, or railway station is a railway facility where trains stop to load or unload passengers, freight, or both. It generally consists of at least one platform, one track, and a station building providing suc ...
, is conveniently situated in Gombe. The
Kinshasa Financial Center, housing significant institutions such as the
Ministries of Finance
A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position .
A ministry of finance's portfoli ...
and Budget, various General Directorates, the General Inspectorate of Finance, the General Secretariat of Finance, and the Development Bank, is the largest financial complex in the DRC and is based in Gombe.
Kinshasa General Hospital, one of the largest and most well-known hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is headquartered in Gombe.
The state-owned
Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports
The Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (Contraction (grammar), contracted as SCTP), formerly known as the Office d'Exploitation des Transports Coloniaux 1935–1959, then Office d'Exploitation des Transports au Congo 1960–1970, an ...
(SCPT) is headquartered in Gombe, overseeing transportation and port management. The
Collège des Hautes Études de Stratégie et de Défense (CHESD) is the premier institution for strategic and defense studies, strategically positioned in Gombe.
The
Hôtel du Gouvernement, an administrative edifice along Boulevard du 30 Juin, serves as the headquarters for numerous central government ministries and public services. Incidentally, Gombe houses Lycée Bosangani (Bosangani High School), Institut National de Sécurité Sociale (INSS), Centre Médical de Kinshasa (CMK), and Palais de la Justice.
Attractions
Académie des Beaux-Arts (ABA)
The
Académie des Beaux-Arts
The (; ) is a French learned society based in Paris. It is one of the five academies of the . The current president of the academy (2021) is Alain-Charles Perrot, a French architect.
Background
The academy was created in 1816 in Paris as a me ...
(Academy of Fine Arts), located in Gombe, is an
educational institution
An educational institution is a place where people of different ages gain an education, including preschools, childcare, primary-elementary schools, secondary-high schools, and universities. They provide a large variety of learning environments a ...
that focuses on teaching
visual
The visual system is the physiological basis of visual perception (the ability to detect and process light). The system detects, transduces and interprets information concerning light within the visible range to construct an image and buil ...
and
applied arts
The applied arts are all the arts that apply design and decoration to everyday and essentially practical objects in order to make them aesthetically pleasing."Applied art" in ''The Oxford Dictionary of Art''. Online edition. Oxford Univ ...
. The academy encompasses the areas of Avenue de la Libération, Avenue de La Science, and Avenue de la River and is surrounded by a park where visitors can view original
sculpture
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
s,
oil painting
Oil painting is a painting method involving the procedure of painting with pigments combined with a drying oil as the Binder (material), binder. It has been the most common technique for artistic painting on canvas, wood panel, or oil on coppe ...
s, and other student-made objects on display. Additionally, tourists can witness artists at work and engage in conversations with them.
The academy was established in 1943 by Belgian missionary Marc Stanislas Wallenda in
Gombe-Matadi in the
Kongo Central Province.
Originally called "École Saint-Luc," it started as a
sculpture
Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...
workshop
Beginning with the Industrial Revolution era, a workshop may be a room, rooms or building which provides both the area and tools (or machinery) that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods. Workshops were the only ...
due to the abundance of wood in the region.
In 1949, the Saint Luc school was relocated to Léopoldville (
Kinshasa
Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the Capital city, capital and Cities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-grow ...
) and was renamed "Académie des Beaux-Arts" in 1957. Over time, new options were added, including
painting
Painting is a Visual arts, visual art, which is characterized by the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called "matrix" or "Support (art), support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with ...
(1950),
ceramic
A ceramic is any of the various hard, brittle, heat-resistant, and corrosion-resistant materials made by shaping and then firing an inorganic, nonmetallic material, such as clay, at a high temperature. Common examples are earthenware, porcela ...
s (1953),
Beaten Metal (1971),
advertising
Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a Product (business), product or Service (economics), service. Advertising aims to present a product or service in terms of utility, advantages, and qualities of int ...
(1970),
interior decoration
Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. With a keen eye for detail and a creative flair, an interior d ...
(1970), and the
conservation and restoration of works of art (2013).
Today, the academy provides a training environment and a platform for experimentation and exhibitions in Gombe, allowing students to develop their artistic personalities.
Marché Central
The
Kinshasa Central Market, referred to as the ''Zando'' in
Lingala
Lingala (or Ngala, Lingala: ) is a Bantu languages, Bantu language spoken in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the northern half of the Republic of the Congo, in their capitals, Kinshasa and Brazzaville, and to a lesser de ...
, is a bustling and dynamic
marketplace
A marketplace, market place, or just market, is a location where people regularly gather for the purchase and sale of provisions, livestock, and other goods. In different parts of the world, a marketplace may be described as a ''souk'' (from ...
in Gombe. It is one of the liveliest markets in Kinshasa with market activity spilling over into the neighboring streets of the
Kinshasa
Kinshasa (; ; ), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (), is the Capital city, capital and Cities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-grow ...
and
Barumbu
Barumbu is a commune in the Lukunga District of Kinshasa, located strategically in the northern region of the city. As of 2015, Barumbu had an estimated population of 413,628, making it one of Kinshasa's more densely populated communes.
Historic ...
communes. The market is well known for its wide assortment of products, including fresh
fruit
In botany, a fruit is the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants (angiosperms) that is formed from the ovary after flowering.
Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate their seeds. Edible fruits in particular have long propaga ...
s,
vegetable
Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. This original meaning is still commonly used, and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including edible flower, flo ...
s,
spice
In the culinary arts, a spice is any seed, fruit, root, Bark (botany), bark, or other plant substance in a form primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of pl ...
s, locally sourced
meat
Meat is animal Tissue (biology), tissue, often muscle, that is eaten as food. Humans have hunted and farmed other animals for meat since prehistory. The Neolithic Revolution allowed the domestication of vertebrates, including chickens, sheep, ...
and
fish
A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...
,
clothing
Clothing (also known as clothes, garments, dress, apparel, or attire) is any item worn on a human human body, body. Typically, clothing is made of fabrics or textiles, but over time it has included garments made from animal skin and other thin s ...
,
fabrics
Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, and different types of fabric. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not ...
,
shoe
A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but ...
s,
accessories
Accessory may refer to:
* Accessory (legal term), a person who assists a criminal
In anatomy
* Accessory bone
* Accessory breast
* Accessory kidney
* Accessory muscle
* Accessory nucleus, in anatomy, a cranial nerve nucleus
* Accessory nerve ...
, and
household goods
Household goods are goods and products used within households. They are the tangible and movable personal property placed in the rooms of a house, such as a bed or refrigerator.
Economic role
Businesses that produce household goods are categori ...
. The market also offers unique Congolese handicrafts and
souvenir
A souvenir ( French for 'a remembrance or memory'), memento, keepsake, or token of remembrance is an object a person acquires for the memories the owner associates with it. A souvenir can be any object that can be collected or purchased and trans ...
s for tourists and visitors alike.
Jardin Botanique

The
Jardin Botanique is a
botanical garden
A botanical garden or botanic gardenThe terms ''botanic'' and ''botanical'' and ''garden'' or ''gardens'' are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word ''botanic'' is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is ...
in Gombe, opposite the
Jardin Zoologique. Covering an area of seven hectares, It features a diverse collection of 286
plant species
Flora (: floras or florae) is all the plant life present in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring ( indigenous) native plants. The corresponding term for animals is ''fauna'', and for fungi, it is '' funga''. Sometimes ...
, including
baobabs,
mango
A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree '' Mangifera indica''. It originated from the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' has been cultivated in South and Southeast As ...
es,
banana
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large treelike herbaceous flowering plants in the genus '' Musa''. In some countries, cooking bananas are called plantains, distinguishing the ...
s,
papaya
The papaya (, ), papaw, () or pawpaw () is the plant species ''Carica papaya'', one of the 21 accepted species in the genus '' Carica'' of the family Caricaceae, and also the name of its fruit. It was first domesticated in Mesoamerica, within ...
s, and
coffee
Coffee is a beverage brewed from roasted, ground coffee beans. Darkly colored, bitter, and slightly acidic, coffee has a stimulating effect on humans, primarily due to its caffeine content, but decaffeinated coffee is also commercially a ...
.
The garden is maintained by the
Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (''Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature''; ICCN). It serves as a platform for environmental education activities and boasts over 100 species of trees.
Beach Ngobila
Beach Ngobila (referred to by locals as simply ''Beach'') serves as a port for passengers traveling across the
Congo River
The Congo River, formerly also known as the Zaire River, is the second-longest river in Africa, shorter only than the Nile, as well as the third-largest river in the world list of rivers by discharge, by discharge volume, following the Amazon Ri ...
between Kinshasa and
Brazzaville
Brazzaville () is the capital (political), capital and largest city of the Republic of the Congo. Administratively, it is a Departments of the Republic of the Congo, department and a Communes of the Republic of the Congo, commune. Constituting t ...
. It is located near the islet Ile aux Pierres and the Kinshasa East railway station. The port is managed by
Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports
The Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (Contraction (grammar), contracted as SCTP), formerly known as the Office d'Exploitation des Transports Coloniaux 1935–1959, then Office d'Exploitation des Transports au Congo 1960–1970, an ...
(SCPT) in partnership with the former Agence Transcongolaise des Transports to ensure smooth operations.
''Mémorial du Soldat Congolais''
The ''
Mémorial du Soldat Congolais'' is a
memorial
A memorial is an object or place which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects such as home ...
located at the FORESCOM Roundabout in Gombe. It was erected to commemorate the
Congolese soldiers who were instrumental in shaping the country's history. It represents remembrance, honor, and patriotism, and offers visitors a space to reflect on and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. Every year on May 17, it is commemorated with great reverence.
Other tourist sites
Economy
Gombe is a bustling economic center that hosts numerous influential
companies
A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of legal people, whether natural, juridical or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specifi ...
and
organization
An organization or organisation (English in the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth English; American and British English spelling differences#-ise, -ize (-isation, -ization), see spelling differences) is an legal entity, entity—such as ...
s. Among them, the CMCT TCG is the country's first integrated marketing and communication agency group, offering personalized services. Gombe is home to the
Congo Trade Center, a towering skyscraper and one of the largest shopping centers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Parenthetically, Congo Tech Network ASBL, a
non-profit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...
dedicated to promoting and supporting the burgeoning Congolese
tech ecosystem, fosters innovation and technology in the area.
The Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie Franco-Congolaise à Kinshasa (CCIFC), a non-profit organization established in 1987 by
French
French may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France
** French people, a nation and ethnic group
** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices
Arts and media
* The French (band), ...
and
Congolese entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is the creation or extraction of economic value in ways that generally entail beyond the minimal amount of risk (assumed by a traditional business), and potentially involving values besides simply economic ones.
An entreprene ...
, plays a vital role in fostering economic and commercial ties between French and Congolese enterprises in Gombe. The most prominent
development bank
Development finance institution (DFI), also known as a Development bank, is a financial institution that provides risk capital for economic development projects on a non-commercial basis.
DFIs are often established and owned by governments or ...
in the country, Société Financière de Développement (SOFIDE), also has its headquarters in Gombe.
The commune is a hub for essential
services
Service may refer to:
Activities
* Administrative service, a required part of the workload of university faculty
* Civil service, the body of employees of a government
* Community service, volunteer service for the benefit of a community or a ...
and
industries. The headquarters of the
Congolese Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, a pivotal player in the nation's communication infrastructure, is based in Gombe.
Feronia Inc., a
multinational corporation
A multinational corporation (MNC; also called a multinational enterprise (MNE), transnational enterprise (TNE), transnational corporation (TNC), international corporation, or stateless corporation, is a corporate organization that owns and cont ...
specializing in
palm oil
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp (reddish pulp) of the fruit of oil palms. The oil is used in food manufacturing, in beauty products, and as biofuel. Palm oil accounted for about 36% of global oils produced from o ...
and
agricultural products, also has its base in Gombe. The
RTNC Congo Building, which houses the headquarters of
Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise
Radio Télévision nationale congolaise (RTNC) is the national broadcaster of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is government controlled in a country with a poor record on press freedom. Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise currentl ...
(RTNC), is also strategically located in Gombe.
Transport
Transport (in British English) or transportation (in American English) is the intentional Motion, movement of humans, animals, and cargo, goods from one location to another. Mode of transport, Modes of transport include aviation, air, land tr ...
ation and
logistics
Logistics is the part of supply chain management that deals with the efficient forward and reverse flow of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the Consumption (economics), point of consumption according to the ...
thrive in Gombe, with the headquarters of
Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports
The Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (Contraction (grammar), contracted as SCTP), formerly known as the Office d'Exploitation des Transports Coloniaux 1935–1959, then Office d'Exploitation des Transports au Congo 1960–1970, an ...
(SCTP), a key player in
rail
Rail or rails may refer to:
Rail transport
*Rail transport and related matters
*Railway track or railway lines, the running surface of a railway
Arts and media Film
* ''Rails'' (film), a 1929 Italian film by Mario Camerini
* ''Rail'' (1967 fil ...
,
river
A river is a natural stream of fresh water that flows on land or inside Subterranean river, caves towards another body of water at a lower elevation, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. A river may run dry before reaching the end of ...
, and
port
A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Hamburg, Manch ...
operations. In addition, Gombe accommodates the headquarters of
Congo Airways
Congo Airways S.A. is the state-owned flag carrier airline of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). With a paid-up capital of US$90 million, it started operations on 20 October 2015. It is banned from flying into the EU.
History
C ...
—the state-owned flag carrier airline of DRC—and
Stellar Airways. In the
financial sector
Financial services are economic services tied to finance provided by financial institutions. Financial services encompass a broad range of service sector activities, especially as concerns financial management and consumer finance.
The financ ...
, it is home to the
Central Bank of the Congo
The Central Bank of the Congo (, ), colloquially known by its acronym BCC, is the central bank of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its headquarters are located on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in Gombe, Kinshasa, surrounded by significant inst ...
, the country's central monetary authority responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policies.
Gombe is also a regional headquarters for several
international
International is an adjective (also used as a noun) meaning "between nations".
International may also refer to:
Music Albums
* ''International'' (Kevin Michael album), 2011
* ''International'' (New Order album), 2002
* ''International'' (The T ...
and
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
n companies and organizations, including
Huawei
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Huawei" sometimes stylized as "HUAWEI"; ; zh, c=华为, p= ) is a Chinese multinational corporationtechnology company in Longgang, Shenzhen, Longgang, Shenzhen, Guangdong. Its main product lines include teleco ...
,
Vodacom Congo,
Airtel Congo, and
Orange RDC
Orange RDC (formerly Congo Chine Télécoms or CCT) is a telecommunications company operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The company was originally a joint venture of Chinese company ZTE, who owned 51%, and the Congolese state, who ...
. Consequently, the commune serves as a hub for telecommunications, enhancing connectivity and communication across the region.
Equity Banque Commerciale du Congo (EquityBCDC), a subsidiary of the
Kenya
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...
n
Equity Group Holdings
Equity Group Holdings Limited (EGHL), formerly Equity Bank Group, is a financial services Bank holding company, holding company based in the African Great Lakes region. EGHL's headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya, with subsidiaries in Kenya, Uga ...
, has its headquarters in Gombe. The
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
'
MONUSCO
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or MONUSCO (an acronym based on its French name ), is a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A planned withdraw ...
also has its headquarters in Gombe.
Education
Both campuses of the French international school,
Lycée Français René Descartes Kinshasa, are in Gombe: Site Gombe and Site Kalemie; the latter is across from the residence of the Ambassador of France.
Lycée Prince de Liège
Lycée Prince de Liège (LPL) is a Belgian international school in Gombe, Kinshasa, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It serves Walloons, Francophone Belgians and other Francophones of the ages 2–21. , a Belgian international school, is in Gombe.
[Accueil]
." Lycée Prince de Liège
Lycée Prince de Liège (LPL) is a Belgian international school in Gombe, Kinshasa, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It serves Walloons, Francophone Belgians and other Francophones of the ages 2–21. . Retrieved 26 October 2015. "Lycée Prince de Liège (Ecole belge), Av. de la Gombe, Kinshasa (Gombe)"
Demographics
References
{{Communes of Kinshasa
Communes of Kinshasa