Minister Profile

Jean-Lucien Bussa Tongba is a prominent political figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known for his role in economic reform and the promotion of foreign trade. Born on March 26, 1962, in Likaw (South-Ubangi), he is a graduate of the University of Kinshasa, where he is pursuing a doctorate in economics. He began his career as a financial auditor at the National Electricity Company (SNEL) before becoming a lecturer in auditing and management at the Higher Institute of Commerce. Active in politics since the 1990s, he served as a national deputy starting in 2006 and founded the *Courant des Démocrates Rénovateurs* (CDER) party in 2013. He also coordinated the *Coalition des Démocrates* (CODE). Bussa has held several key government positions: Minister of Planning in 2016, followed by Minister of Foreign Trade from 2017 to 2024. Since June 2024, he has served as Minister of State Portfolio in Judith Suminwa's government.

At the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Jean-Lucien Bussa has undertaken significant reforms to modernize the sector: strengthening import regulations, upgrading OCC laboratories, establishing the National Export Promotion Agency (ANAPEX), and actively participating in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)—with over 6,000 Congolese products registered. On the international stage, he has represented the DRC at events such as the 2022 US-Africa Summit, advocating for better economic opportunities for the continent. His leadership, integrity, and pragmatic vision make him a key figure in the DRC’s economic transformation, capable of mobilizing stakeholders to boost the country’s competitiveness in regional and global trade.