The Congo of tomorrow is being built today. On September 27 and 28, 2025, Paris will host the 7th edition of Congo Na Paris – Tonga Mboka, a major cultural and socio-economic event bringing together artists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and diaspora communities around one shared mission: “building the nation.” After Paris, Kinshasa and Kolwezi will carry forward the momentum of this historic gathering.
A Stage for a Rising Congo
On September 27 and 28, 2025, Paris will become the stage for a unique event: the 7th edition of Congo Na Paris – Tonga Mboka. More than a trade fair, it is a living manifesto. An invitation to imagine the Congo of tomorrow, driven by its diaspora and its allies. This year, the event takes on an unprecedented dimension: alongside Paris, Kinshasa and Kolwezi join the map, proving that the project now transcends borders.
“Tonga Mboka,” in Lingala, means “build the nation.” The message could not be clearer. This is not simply a gathering to celebrate Congolese culture—it is a collective effort to shape a shared future.
The event was born in 2017 with a simple ambition: to show the world a strong, resilient, and united Congo. Since then, it has welcomed more than 185,000 visitors across six editions, becoming the must-attend event for Congolese communities across Europe and friends of Congo alike. Congo Na Paris is now recognized as a crossroads between Africa and Europe, where cultural, political, economic, and civic actors come together.
This 7th edition, titled Tonga Mboka, marks a turning point. The event is designed as both a socio-economic forum and a pop culture festival. Discussions will focus on Congo’s future, its role within the region, and its relationship with the diaspora. At the same time, the country’s boundless creativity will be celebrated through fashion, music, literature, cinema, and dance.
The choice of Paris, Kinshasa, and Kolwezi is far from accidental. Paris remains the beating heart of the Congolese diaspora. Kinshasa, the cultural and political capital, reminds us that Congo remains central to African dynamics. Kolwezi, in the heart of Katanga, symbolizes the economic and mining challenges shaping the country’s future.
By connecting these three spaces, Tonga Mboka builds a bridge between the diaspora and the homeland. It demonstrates that the Congo of tomorrow cannot be imagined without dialogue between those living in the country and those carrying its vision abroad.
Socio-economic forum: six roundtable discussions will explore today’s major challenges:
- public-private partnerships,
- the role of the diaspora in investment,
- cultural and creative industries as drivers of inclusion,
- tourism as a lever for sustainable development,
- innovation and digital transformation,
- bilateral and multilateral cooperation for a resilient Congo.
Pop culture festival: the “Congo of Tomorrow” talent competition, fashion shows, concerts, performances, stand-up comedy, film screenings, and debates. A space where young people can express their visions and dreams through art.
Tonga Mboka Village: artisan booths, art galleries, a bookstore, children’s areas, and VIP spaces. A showcase of Congolese creativity, balancing tradition and modernity.
In total, the event is expected to welcome more than 237 exhibitors, 130 speakers, and 18,500 visitors.
At the heart of Tonga Mboka lies the diaspora. This 7th edition emphasizes its strategic role as an interface between Congo and the world, a force for ideas and investment, and a cultural and economic bridge. Deeply rooted in local realities while connected to international networks, the Congolese diaspora is called upon to become a key actor in the country’s development.
For founder Charlotte Kalala, the event carries a clear invitation:
“Tonga Mboka is a space where we can build together, think differently, and act concretely. It is where the stories of tomorrow begin to take shape.”
More Than an Event: A Movement
What sets Tonga Mboka apart is its ability to unite beyond divisions. Ministers and artists, entrepreneurs and activists, diplomats and creators all meet here. It is a place where narratives are reinvented, where cooperation becomes a vehicle for influence and legacy.
The 2025 theme, “The Congo of Tomorrow,” speaks volumes. The event seeks to showcase a Congo grounded in sovereignty, innovation, and dignity. In a world shaken by geopolitical and climate crises, Tonga Mboka asserts that Congo is not merely a land of resources—it is a land of solutions.
Because Tonga Mboka is where Congo tells its story differently. It is an opportunity to meet the people driving change, discover artists, reflect on the defining challenges of our time, and experience the vibrant pulse of Congolese culture.
It is also a space of opportunity: for entrepreneurs, a place for business development and networking; for young people, a stage for expression and creativity; for families, an immersion into the traditions and innovations of a multifaceted Congo.
See You in Paris, Kinshasa, and Kolwezi
The 7th edition of Congo Na Paris – Tonga Mboka will take place on September 27 and 28, 2025, in Paris, before continuing in Kinshasa and Kolwezi. A historic three-city journey dedicated to building a stronger, more visible, and more sovereign Congo together.
Come celebrate, debate, and create. Come help write the story of the Congo of tomorrow.
