Gombe, Kinshasa

Gombe (formerly known as Kalina), also known as La Gombe, or Downtown Kinshasa, is one of the 24 communes of Kinshasa, in the western part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 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 and a central business district, Gombe houses several key government institutions of the DRC, including the Palais de la Nation, the Central Bank of the Congo, various ministries, 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 United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

Originally housing colonial administrative offices, cités indigènes, neighborhoods meant for non-colonists, formed around the area. Now it is the fastest-growing municipality (commune) in Kinshasa. According to a 2014 study by the U.S. research firm Mercer, Gombe is the most expensive place to live in Africa and globally.

Development has increased significantly following 2021 with many new buildings being constructed near Avenue de Colonel Tshatshi including the newly constructed Kinshasa Financial Center and the Galeries de la Fontaine Shopping Mall.

Geographic 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 delineation originates at the point closest to the confluence of the Congo River 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.

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.

History
Before European colonialists arrived, the fishing village of Nshasa (now Kinshasa) was founded and inhabited by the Teke and Humbu people along the Congo River. Henry Morton Stanley established a trading post adjacent to the village and named it Léopoldville (modern-day Kinshasa) 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 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, stretching from the Kinshasa Central Station to the National Pedagogical University. An exclusive European-style district, accessible only to white people, was established and named the "Kalina District," honoring Lieutenant E. Kallina, an Austro-Hungarian soldier who served in the Force Publique.

In 1957, Léopoldville underwent administrative division into communes, 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 (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 in Kinshasa's southwest. Following the nation's independence from Belgium and the city's renaming to Kinshasa during Mobutu Sese Seko'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 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. MONUSCO, the United Nations peacekeeping 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 in Gombe, whereas the Société Nationale d'Électricité (SNEL), the national electricity company, also has its headquarters here. Gare de l'Est, the principal train station, is conveniently situated in Gombe. The Kinshasa Financial Center, housing significant institutions such as the Ministries of Finance 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 (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.

Académie des Beaux-Arts (ABA)
The Académie des Beaux-Arts (Academy of Fine Arts), located in Gombe, is an educational institution that focuses on teaching visual and applied arts. 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 sculptures, oil paintings, 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 workshop due to the abundance of wood in the region. In 1949, the Saint Luc school was relocated to Léopoldville (Kinshasa) and was renamed "Académie des Beaux-Arts" in 1957. Over time, new options were added, including painting (1950), ceramics (1953), Beaten Metal (1971), advertising (1970), interior decoration (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, is a bustling and dynamic marketplace in Gombe. It is one of the liveliest markets in Kinshasa with market activity spilling over into the neighboring streets of the Kinshasa and Barumbu communes. The market is well known for its wide assortment of products, including fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, locally sourced meat and fish, clothing, fabrics, shoes, accessories, and household goods. The market also offers unique Congolese handicrafts and souvenirs for tourists and visitors alike.

Jardin Botanique
The Jardin Botanique is a botanical garden in Gombe, opposite the Jardin Zoologique. Covering an area of seven hectares, It features a diverse collection of 286 plant species, including baobabs, mangoes, bananas, papayas, and coffee. The garden is maintained by the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature; ICCN). Initially established in 1933 under the name Fernand De Boeck Park in the capital of the Belgian Congo, it was neglected for many years until the early 2000s when it was restored with the help of various organizations such as the European Union, International Union for Conservation of Nature, National Botanical Garden of Belgium, and NGO Friends of Nature and Gardens. Now, 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 between Kinshasa and Brazzaville. 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 (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 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.

Economy
Gombe is a bustling economic center that hosts numerous influential companies and organizations. 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 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 and Congolese entrepreneurs, plays a vital role in fostering economic and commercial ties between French and Congolese enterprises in Gombe. The most prominent development bank in the country, Société Financière de Développement (SOFIDE), also has its headquarters in Gombe.

The commune is a hub for essential services 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 specializing in palm oil and agricultural products, also has its base in Gombe. The RTNC Congo Building, which houses the headquarters of Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise (RTNC), is also strategically located in Gombe.

Transportation and logistics thrive in Gombe, with the headquarters of Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (SCTP), a key player in rail, river, and port operations. In addition, Gombe accommodates the headquarters of Congo Airways—the state-owned flag carrier airline of DRC—and Stellar Airways. In the financial sector, it is home to the Central Bank of the Congo, the country's central monetary authority responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policies.

Gombe is also a regional headquarters for several international and African companies and organizations, including Huawei, Vodacom Congo, Airtel Congo, and Orange RDC. 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 Kenyan Equity Group Holdings, has its headquarters in Gombe. The United Nations' MONUSCO 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, a Belgian international school, is in Gombe.