Located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Novotel Kinshasa La Gombé has recently been awarded the Green Key certification, an international recognition of the hotel’s environmental responsibility and a guarantee of its commitment to sustainable operations.
Sustainable Practices at Novotel Kinshasa
Accor has long been committed to sustainability, and Novotel Kinshasa has embraced this mission by embedding sustainable practices into its daily operations, setting an example for hospitality in Kinshasa. A wide range of initiatives have been introduced, from food waste reduction to responsible purchasing.
The property is now fully LED-equipped, and staff members can rely on environmentally friendly cleaning products. Initiatives to reduce water consumption have also been implemented: in housekeeping, guests are encouraged to reuse sheets and towels to help conserve significant amounts of water. Meanwhile, the technical team closely monitors leaks or malfunctioning taps to prevent waste.
Novotel Kinshasa has also adopted more responsible purchasing habits, such as sourcing food from local markets, avoiding endangered species, and choosing sustainable alternatives wherever possible. The hotel is now plastic-free—described by the property as “a particularly meaningful achievement in a country where plastic is still widely used.” While implementing these changes was not without challenges, the hotel’s determination and consistent effort have paid off.
Team Efforts and Engagement
In Kinshasa, sustainability awareness remains at an early stage. Recycling and sustainable practices are not yet widespread, but Novotel Kinshasa’s team has become deeply engaged and passionate about sustainability. Through training and day-to-day practice, they have embraced initiatives such as food waste reduction and plastic elimination in guest-facing areas.
Reaching this level of engagement required months of preparation, onboarding, and reinforcement. For example, when implementing waste sorting, staff needed ongoing reminders to ensure compliance. Similarly, sorting plastics required significant adjustments, but the team demonstrated remarkable commitment to change.
Staff members continue to take part in workshops and training sessions to deepen their understanding of sustainability and its importance. These efforts illustrate that meaningful change in the tourism sector relies heavily on the dedication of employees working behind the scenes.
Events, Collaboration, and Partnerships
Over the past two years, Novotel Kinshasa has organised and participated in several sustainability events. A city clean-up day mobilized staff to collect waste, which was then delivered to one of the few recycling companies in Kinshasa. For Earth Day, the hotel planted trees—a symbolic gesture reflecting its long-term commitment. These initiatives were made possible through collective and enthusiastic team participation.
The hotel has also forged impactful partnerships. With FANYA Association, an NGO dedicated to promoting sustainability and youth engagement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Novotel Kinshasa has carried out awareness-raising actions such as street clean-ups. Another partnership with Green Africa / AfriFuture ensures that used cooking oils from the hotel are collected and transformed into new products such as soaps and green fuels. Through these collaborations, Novotel Kinshasa continues to reinforce its role as a leader in responsible hospitality while contributing to local environmental initiatives.
A Milestone for Hospitality in Kinshasa
With the Green Key certification, Novotel Kinshasa La Gombé establishes itself as a benchmark for sustainable hospitality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The hotel not only enhances the guest experience but also contributes to the local community by actively advancing sustainable tourism.
About Novotel Kinshasa La Gombé
Opened just two years ago, Novotel Kinshasa La Gombé, part of the Accor Group, is a modern hotel designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers, with a strong commitment to sustainability. Located in the heart of Gombe, Kinshasa’s business and diplomatic district, the hotel offers contemporary accommodations, refined dining options, and versatile meeting spaces.
Visit Novotel Kinshasa La Gombé here. Novotel Kinshasa La Gombe, Hotel in Democratic Republic Of Congo - ALL