{{Infobox settlement | name = Limete | official_name = ''Commune de Limete'' | type = Commune | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | perrow = 2/2 | caption_align = center | image1 = Tour de l'Échangeur en 2018.jpg | image2 = Parc de la tour de l'Échangeur, 2.jpg | image3 = Petit Boulevard de Limété Ouest, Kinshasa.jpg | image4 = A beautiful tree next to a building.jpg | image5 = }} | imagesize = 250px | image_caption = | image_map = | map_caption = | image_map1 = | map_caption1 = | mapsize1 = 270 | mapframe = yes | mapframe-custom = {{maplink | frame = yes | plain = yes | frame-align = center | frame-width = 270 | frame-height = 250 | frame-coordinates = SWITCH:{{Coord|-4.37255|15.33}}###{{Coord|-4.3501|15.3510}}###{{Coord|-4.4806|15.8313}} | zoom = SWITCH:11,12,8 | type = shape-inverse | fill = #AAAAAA | stroke-width = 1 | stroke-color = #777777 | id = Q3838 | title = Shaded areas are outside Kinshasa city-province. | type2 = line | stroke-width2 = SWITCH:4,5,2 | id2 = Q3241048 | title2 = Limete Border | switch = city center, commune, city-province }} | mapframe-caption = Limete on map of Kinshasa city-province | pushpin_map = Democratic Republic of the Congo | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in DR Congo | coordinates = {{coord|4|21|0|S|15|21|4|E|dim:5000_region:CD|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <ref name=osm /> | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|DR Congo}} | subdivision_type1 = City-Province | subdivision_name1 = Kinshasa | leader_name = Nathalie Alamba | leader_title = Burgomaster | leader_name2 = {{unbulleted list|{{nobr|Therese Masengo}}{{wbr}} Muabuanga| {{nobr|Jean Désiré Mbonzi}}{{wbr}} {{nobr|Wa Mbonzi}} |{{nobr|Gerard Mulumba}}{{wbr}} {{nobr|Kongolo Wa Kongolo}}}} | leader_title2 = {{abbr|PDs|Provincial deputies}} | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 67.6 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_as_of = 2018 est. | population_total = 1321274 | population_density_km2 = auto }}
'''Limete''' is one of the 24 communes of Kinshasa, located in the eastern part of the city between Pool Malebo along its southwestern shoreline and Boulevard Lumumba. At its creation, the commune covered 23.78 square kilometers and later expanded to 67.60 square kilometers following Ordinance-Law No. 68-018 of 2 December 1968.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Osumbe |first=Tarquin Likoli |date=2015 |title=Niveau de connaissance des habitants de la commune de Limete face à la gestion de leur environnement comme cadre de vie: Cas du quartier Ndanu de janvier à juillet 2015 |trans-title=Level of knowledge among residents of the Limete municipality regarding the management of their environment as a living space: Case study of the Ndanu neighborhood from January to July 2015 |url=https://www.memoireonline.com/11/15/9287/m_Niveau-de-connaissance-des-habitants-de-la-commune-de-Limete-face--la-gestion-de-leur-environnemen6.html |access-date=24 April 2026 |publisher=Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Kinshasa (ISTM-Kin) |language=fr |publication-place=Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Institut National de la Statistique–RD Congo |title=Annuaire Statistique RDC 2017 |date=2019 |url=http://ins.mkbco.pro/Portals/0/OpenContent/Files/19172/ANNUAIRE_STATISTIQUE_2017_.pdf#page=36 |accessdate=9 Sep 2020 |at=p. 36 Tableau 1.2 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614222103/http://ins.mkbco.pro/Portals/0/OpenContent/Files/19172/ANNUAIRE_STATISTIQUE_2017_.pdf#page=36 |archivedate=14 June 2020 |language=fr |url-status=live}}</ref> It is bordered by Barumbu to the north, Matete and Lemba to the south, Masina to the east, and Kalamu and Makala to the west.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Mukendi |first=Sylvain |date=2020 |title=1.1.7. Aperçu historique |trans-title=1.1.7. Historical Overview |url=https://www.memoireonline.com/11/22/13474/m_tude-pour-la-mise-en-place-d-un-rseau-local-dans-une-entit-dcentralise-Cas-de19.html#toc275 |access-date=30 April 2026 |publisher=Institut Supérieur Technique SongHwa |language=fr |publication-place=Limete, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref> Limete had an estimated population of 375,726 people as of 2014, including 372,261 nationals and 3,465 foreigners.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Osumbe |first=Tarquin Likoli |date=2015 |title=1.1.3. Evolution de la population |trans-title=1.1.3. Evolution of the population |url=https://www.memoireonline.com/02/19/10582/m_Niveau-des-connaissances-des-habitants-de-la-commune-de-Limete-face--la-gestion-de-leur-environnem7.html |access-date=24 April 2026 |publisher=Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Kinshasa (ISTM-Kin) |language=fr |publication-place=Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref> By 2018, the population had increased to 1,321,274, including 1,315,041 nationals and 6,233 foreigners.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Mukendi |first=Sylvain |date=2020 |title=Étude pour la mise en place d'un réseau local dans une entité décentralisée. Cas de la commune de Limete |trans-title=Study on the Implementation of a Local Area Network in a Decentralized Entity: The Case of the Municipality of Limete |url=https://www.memoireonline.com/11/22/13474/m_tude-pour-la-mise-en-place-d-un-rseau-local-dans-une-entit-dcentralise-Cas-de20.html |access-date=30 April 2026 |publisher=Institut Supérieur Technique SongHwa |language=fr |publication-place=Limete, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref>
The commune is administratively divided into 14 quarters (''quartiers''). French serves as the official administrative language, while Lingala is the predominant national language in daily communication.<ref name=":1" /> The main ethnic groups include Luba, Mongo, Kongo, Suku, Teke, Tetela, and Yaka.<ref name=":1" />
== Geography ==
Limete lies on a sandy and marshy plain interspersed with patches of woodland.<ref name=":1" /> The commune is located south of the Pool Malebo between the mouths of the Funa and Ndjili rivers. The eastern boundary is the Ndjili going south down to Boulevard Lumumba ({{ill|National Road No. 1 (Democratic Republic of the Congo))|lt=RN1|fr|Route nationale 1 (Congo-Kinshasa)}}). The western boundary from the north follows the Funa, Boulevard Lumumba, and Avenue de L'Université down to Avenue Kikwit. From there the southern boundary rejoins Boulevard Lumumba to the east via Avenue Sefu and the Limete Tower interchange.<ref name=osm>{{cite web |title=Relation: Limete (388599) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/388599 |website=OpenStreetMap |accessdate=24 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite web |last=Mukendi|first=Sylvain|date=2020|title=Chapitre deuxième: Présentation du milieu d'étude et étude du système d’information existant|trans-title=Chapter Two: Presentation of the Study Environment and Analysis of the Existing Information System|url=https://www.memoireonline.com/11/22/13474/m_tude-pour-la-mise-en-place-d-un-rseau-local-dans-une-entit-dcentralise-Cas-de18.html#toc267|access-date=30 April 2026|publisher=Institut Supérieur Technique SongHwa|language=fr|publication-place=Limete, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PolitikI |first=Tryphon Nzofo |last2=Ng'Okwum |first2=Bernadette Ngeka |last3=G |first3=Kumpel Onkan Vania Lame |last4=Nzfofo |first4=La Vie |last5=Makalay |first5=Emmanuel Biey |date=March 2025 |title=Contribution du système d'information géographique (SIG) dans la gestion des déchets solides: commune de Limete–Kinshasa |trans-title=Contribution of the Système d'Information Géographique (SIG) in the management of solid waste: Commune of Limete–Kinshasa |url=https://www.revue-irs.com/index.php/home/article/download/631/419/1097 |access-date=1 May 2026 |website=Revue-irs.com |publisher=Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique (Revue-IRS) |page=959 |language=fr |issn=2958-8413}}</ref> thumb|center|Limete on map of city communes Limete has a tropical climate with notable rainfall, with precipitation occurring fairly consistently throughout the year. The Kingabwa area, situated along the Congo River, has distinctive climatic conditions due to its proximity to the river.<ref name=":1" /> Like Kinshasa and the rest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Limete experiences two main seasons: a dry season and a rainy season.<ref name=":1" />
Hydrographically, Limete is intersected or bordered by several waterways, most notably the Funa River, Congo River, Matete River, N'djili River, and Yolo River.<ref name=":1" /> Five of its ''quartiers,'' like Kingabwa, Mbamu, Nzadi, Ndanu, and Salongo, lie within the N'djili River basin and therefore often experience flooding, with Kingabwa being the most exposed and facing the highest level of flood risk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muteba |first=Dieudonné Luboya Kasongo |date=2002 |title=Étude systémique du bassin versant de la rivière N'Djili à Kinshasa |trans-title=Systemic Study of the N'Djili River Watershed in Kinshasa |url=https://www.memoireonline.com/11/13/8017/m_Etude-systemique-du-bassin-versant-de-la-riviere-N-Djili--Kinshasa59.html |access-date=1 May 2026 |publisher=École Régionale Postuniversitaire d'Aménagement et de Gestion intégrés des Forêts et Territoires tropicaux (ERAIFT) |language=fr |publication-place=Lemba, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo}}</ref>
== Demographics ==
=== Population === {{See also|Demographics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Languages of the Democratic Republic of the Congo}} Limete is home to a diverse and heterogeneous population composed of nationals and foreigners from various ethnic and national backgrounds. The principal ethnic groups include the Luba, Mongo, Kongo, Suku, Teke, Tetela, and Yaka.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> French is used as the official language of administration, while Lingala serves as the main national language of daily communication. Other national languages are also spoken within the commune.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
In 2013, the total population was 250,183, with nationals making up 248,402 (99.3%) and foreigners 1,781 (0.7%). In 2014, the population was estimated at 375,726, including 372,261 nationals and 3,465 foreigners.<ref name=":1" /> By 2018, according to municipal records, the population had risen to 1,321,274, including 1,315,041 nationals and 6,233 foreigners.<ref name=":2" />
== History == During the colonial era, the capital of the Belgian Congo was known as Léopoldville (now Kinshasa). As independence drew nearer, the city underwent rapid expansion driven by a growing rural exodus, with large numbers of people leaving the countryside for the capital.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22" /> At the same time, increasing political pressure for independence weakened colonial authority, which gradually lost its ability to regulate this population movement as effectively as before.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22" /> Léopoldville consequently experienced a sharp rise in population, which prompted colonial administrators to look for ways to ease the strain on what had become a highly centralized system of governance.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22" />
The colonial administration adopted a policy of expanding the city's administrative structure and that of other fast-growing urban areas to bring governance closer to the population through a more efficient and responsive system. As part of this reform, several communes were established in major cities to decentralize administration and respond to the growing desire among Congolese to manage their own national affairs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22" /> Limete was created in this context in 1958 through a decree-law issued by Governor-General Durkheim, who represented the King of Belgium in the colony. The king remained in Belgium, while the Governor-General operated from the colonial capital. Like other communes in Kinshasa, Limete is governed under Decree-Laws No. 131/97 of 8 October 1997 and No. 081/98 of 2 July 1998, which revised earlier ordinances concerning the country's territorial administration and the status of Kinshasa.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":22" />
== Government ==
{{further |Subdivisions of the DR Congo#Governance}} The administration of Limete is led by an unelected government appointed burgomaster ({{langx|fr|bourgmestre|links=no}}). As of 2023 the burgomaster is Nathalie Alamba.<ref>{{cite news |title=Le personnel de la maison communal de Limeté exhorté au professionnalisme |url=https://acpcongo.com/index.php/2023/01/09/le-personnel-de-la-maison-communal-de-limete-exhorte-au-professionnalisme/ |access-date=13 January 2023 |publisher=Agence congolaise de presse (ACP) |date=9 January 2023 |language=fr}}</ref> The reform of having burgomasters elected by communal councils awaits the inaugural election of these councils.
=== Electoral district === With 295,768 on its voter rolls Limete is an electoral district for both the election of a thirteen-member communal council and that of three deputies of the Provincial Assembly of Kinshasa. Both elections are by open list. For the National Assembly Limete is part of the Kinshasa III district (Mont Amba).<ref>{{cite web |title=Annexes a la loi portant adoption de la repartition des sieges par circonscription electorale pour les elections legislatives |url=https://www.ceni.cd/assets/bundles/documents/cadre-legal/cadre-legal_1531157427.pdf |website=www.ceni.cd |publisher=CENI |accessdate=10 Sep 2020 |pages=4-5,20-21,29 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920234927/https://www.ceni.cd/assets/bundles/documents/cadre-legal/cadre-legal_1531157427.pdf |archivedate= 20 September 2018 |url-status=live |language=fr}}</ref>
Nationwide communal council elections were scheduled for 22 September 2019 but did not take place. In December of that year President Tshisekedi declared that these elections would be held sometime in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Musau |first1=Mathy |title=Enfin, les élections urbaines et locales en 2020, promet Fatshi |url=http://www.forumdesas.org/spip.php?article23133 |accessdate=8 May 2020 |work=Forum Des As |date=12 December 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508163014/http://www.forumdesas.org/spip.php?article23133 |archivedate=8 May 2020 |url-status=live |language=fr}}</ref>
The Provincial Assembly election was held as part of the general elections on 30 December 2018. Therese Masengo Muabuanga (UDPS/Tshisekedi), Jean Désiré Mbonzi Wa Mbonzi (MLC), and Gerard Mulumba Kongolo Wa Kongolo (UDPS/Tshisekedi) are the deputies representing Limete in the new legislature.<ref>{{cite news |last1= Bosengele |first1= Merdi |title=Législatives provinciales/Kinshasa Liste des députés provinciaux: revoici les noms, l’âge et la famille politique des élus ! |url=https://laprosperite.online/index.php/elections-en-rdc/1110-legislatives-provinciales-kinshasa-liste-des-deputes-provinciaux-revoici-les-noms-l-age-et-la-famille-politique-des-elus |accessdate=9 Sep 2020 |work=La Prospérité |date=10 March 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704112846/https://laprosperite.online/index.php/elections-en-rdc/1110-legislatives-provinciales-kinshasa-liste-des-deputes-provinciaux-revoici-les-noms-l-age-et-la-famille-politique-des-elus |archivedate=4 July 2019 |url-status=live |language=fr}}</ref>
=== Administrative divisions === In 2014 Limete was divided into the following 14 quarters ({{langx|fr|quartiers|links=no}}):<ref>{{cite book |last1=Institut National de la Statistique–RD Congo |title=Annuaire statistique 2014 |date=July 2015 |url=https://www.cd.undp.org/content/dam/dem_rep_congo/docs/MDG/Anuaire%20Statistique%20RDC%202014.pdf#page=32 |accessdate=9 Sep 2020 |page=33 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312081453/https://www.cd.undp.org/content/dam/dem_rep_congo/docs/MDG/Anuaire%20Statistique%20RDC%202014.pdf#page=32 |archivedate=12 March 2019 |url-status=dead |format=PDF |language=fr}}</ref> {{columns-list|colwidth=15em| * Agricole * Industriel * Kingabwa * Masiala (Général Masiala) * Mateba * Mayulu * Mbamu * Mfumu-Mvula * Mombele * Mososo * Ndanu * Nzadi * Residentiel * Salongo }}
== Economy == It has an agro-industrial vocation and hosts several industries, most of which are located in the Industriel and Kingabwa ''quartiers''. Many of the port facilities of the city-province of Kinshasa are also found in Limete.<ref name=":1" />
Limete features several notable attractions, such as the Limete Interchange (''L'échangeur de Limete'') and the Kinshasa International Fair (''Foire internationale de Kinshasa''; FIKIN), whose main entrance is situated on the Lemba side.<ref name=":1" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Limete (Kinshasa)|Limete}} {{Communes of Kinshasa}}
Category:Communes of Kinshasa Category:Mont Amba District