Конго Демократиялық Республикасының Гомбе коммунасы

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.

Gombe is strategically positioned in the northeastern region, sharing its border with the Republic of the Congo. The boundary commences from the point nearest to the confluence of the Congo River and the Gombe River, stretching to the closest juncture where the Congo River meets the Funa River. From there, the demarcation follows the course of the Funa River until it intersects with the Matadi–Kinshasa Railway.

Towards the southwards, it tracks the railway to the Bitshiaku Tshiaku River, marking an essential transition along the southern periphery. 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. 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

REGIDESO, the DRC's water utility company, is located on Boulevard Du 30 Juin in Gombe. Société Nationale d'Électricité is the national electricity company of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with its headquarters situated in Gombe. Gare de l'Est is the main train station conveniently located 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. Société Commerciale des Transports et des Ports (SCPT) is a state owned transportation and port management company located in Gombe. Collège des Hautes Études de Stratégie et de Défense (CHESD) is the premier institution for training in strategy and national defense, strategically located in Gombe. Hôtel du Gouvernement is a government administrative building located along Boulevard du 30 Juin in Gombe that serves as the headquarters for several central government ministries and accommodates various 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.