- Koffi Olomide
Antoine Koffi Olomide (born August 13, 1956), is a Congolese soukous singer, producer, and composer. Born in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo to a Congolese mother and Ghanaian father, Koffi grew up in Kinshasa.<br> He went to France to study, while in Paris, he began playing the guitar and writing songs. On his return to Congo he was a member of Viva la Musica, Papa Wemba's band. Koffi repopularized the slower style of soukous, which had fallen out of fashion.
- Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, more commonly known as Dikembe Mutombo (born June 25 1966), is a basketball player in the NBA, playing at the position of center for the Houston Rockets. He is generally regarded as one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players of all time, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times.
- Peter Piot
Dr. Peter Piot is Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the UN specialized agency UNAIDS. In 2004, he was awarded the Vlerick Award. "From UNAIDS.org Bio:" <blockquote> Executive Director of UNAIDS since its creation in 1995 and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations, …
- Pepe Kalle
Pepe Kalle (November 30 1951 - November 28, 1998) was a soukous singer, musician and bandleader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pepe Kalle was born Kabasele Yampanya in Kinshasa, but later assumed the name of his mentor, Grand Kalle. With a multi-octave vocal range and a dynamic stage presence, the 190 cm (6 feet 3 inches) and 136 kg (300 pound) vocalist recorded more than three hundred songs and twenty albums during his two decade-long career.
- Étienne Tshisekedi
Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba is the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has also been Prime Minister of the country (then Zaire) on three separate occasions. Tshisekedi was born in Luluabourg (now Kananga), Kasai-Occidental on December 14, 1932. He obtained a diploma in 1961 at the Lovanium University School of Law in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa).
- Chéri Samba
Chéri Samba or Samba wa Mbimba N’zingo Nuni Masi Ndo Mbasi is a painter from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the most famous contemporary African artists, with his works being included in the collections of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He has been invited to participate in the 2007 Venice Biennale. His paintings almost always include text in French and Lingala, …
- Johnny Wakelin
Johnny Wakelin (born 1939, Brighton, Sussex, England) is a British Pye Records recording artist. He had his first outings in clubs in his hometown but without big success. Then he got the idea of writing a homage to the boxing champion Muhammad Ali who fought on 30 October 1974 in Kinshasa against George Foreman gaining victory in the eighth round. In January 1975 Wakelin's "Black Superman" reached the charts.
- André-Philippe Futa
André Philippe Futa Mudiumbula Tshitumbu Tshipadi, only son of Kabongo wa Mfuta wa Kalubi and Tshiambuaya Marie-Madeleine, was born in Miabi, Democratic Republic of Congo, on August 26, 1943. Futa is married and is the father of ten children. Futa is a member of the royal family of Bena Mbayi and Bakwa Dishi. He is planned to be recognized as the Traditional Chief (rank of King) of the Bakwa Dishi clan.
- Bodo
Camille-Pierre Pambu Bodo, known as Bodo (b. 1953), is a painter from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Born and raised in Mandu, Bodo left high school to move to Kinshasa in 1970; he participated in the exhibit "Art Partout" that same year. He converted to Christianity in 1980, and has since become Pentecostal. He lives, works, and preaches in Kinshasa.
- Steve Mandanda
Steve Mandanda is a French footballer of Congolese ancestry. He currently plays as a goalkeeper for Le Havre AC, a club in Ligue 2. Mandana made his league début for Le Havre in August 2005, and it wasn't until his fourth match that he conceded his first goal. He played 30 league matches that season and 37 in 2006-07.
- Ntumba Luaba
Ntumba Luaba is the Human Rights Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR of the Congo). Prior to his current appointment, Ntumba was a Professor of Public International Law in Kinshasa. He was one of the persons, who represented the DR of the Congo at the International Court of Justice at the Hague. In May 2003, Ntumba was forced to seek refuge at UN controlled facilities during a local bloodbath that killed more than 112 people.
- Diblo Dibala
Diblo Dibala, often known simply as Diblo, is a Congolese soukous musician, known as "Machine Gun" for his speed and skill on the guitar. He was born in 1954 in Kisangani. He moved to Kinshasa as a child, and aged 15 won a talent competition which led to him playing guitar in Franco's TPOK band. Dibala remained with the group for only a short period, going on to play with Vox Africa, Orchestra Bella Mambo and Bella Bella, …
- Floribert Ndjabu
Floribert Ndjabu is leader of the Nationalist Integrationist Front (Le Front des nationalistes et intégrationnistes - FNI) in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He draws most of his support from the Lendu ethnic group. In March 2005 the Security Council condemned the FNI's attack on a patrol of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) which occurred on 25 February 2005 near the town of Kafé, …
- Kimbembe Mazunga
Kimbembe Mazunga is born in Kinshasa on Dec 11th 1956; he is Civil Engineer in Mechanis and has been working at "Office des routes" since 1986; he has been the governor of the city-province of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, since November 15, 2005. Originally from the province of Bas-Congo (now Kongo Central as of the 2005 Constitution), he is a member of the People's Party for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD), the party of the DRC's current president, …
- Théophile Mbemba Fundu
Théophile Mbemba Fundu is the interior minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is interior minister since 2001. He was governor of Kinshasa before that. He is a professor.
- Gaby Mudingayi
Gaby Mudingayi (born 1 October, 1981 in Kinshasa, Zaire) is a Congolese-Belgian football (soccer) player. In international level, Mudingayi played for Belgium in U21 level of 2004 UEFA U-21 Championship Qualifying. He has been called-up to the senior team since 2003.
- Samba Mapangala
Samba Mapangala born in Matadi in what is now Congo. He spent early 70's with various bands in Kinshasa, before moving to to Uganda in 1975 where he and some other Congolese musicians formed the Les Kinois band. They moved to Nairobi in 1977. He formed a new band, the Orchestra Virunga, in 1981. The band is named after Virunga volcano located in Congo.
- Claude Makélélé
Claude Makélélé (born February 18, 1973 in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) is a French international football player, who currently plays defensive midfield for Chelsea in the English Premiership. He is married to the French supermodel Noémie Lenoir with whom he has three sons named Kelyan, Hayden and Sam. Prior to joining Chelsea, Makélélé played for Nantes (1992-1997), Olympique de Marseille (1997-1998), Celta Vigo (1998-2000), …
- Gary Kikaya
Gary Kikaya (born February 4, 1980 in Kinshasa) is an athlete competing internationally for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 400 metres. He graduated in sociology at University of Tennessee. His father, Ambassador Kikaya bin Karubi was the Information Minister in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is now Special Assistant to H. E. President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, based in Kinshasa.
- Félicien Kabuga
Félicien Kabuga is a Rwandan businessman, accused of bankrolling and participating in the Rwandan Genocide. Kabuga was born in Muniga, in the commune of Mukarange, prefecture of Byumba, Rwanda. A multimillionaire, he was closely connected to Juvénal Habyarimana's MRND party. In June 1994, after Rwanda was conquered by the RPF, Kabuga fled the country. He first attempted to enter Switzerland, but was ordered to leave.
- Yannick Nyanga
Yannick Nyanga (born 19 December 1983 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo) is a professional rugby union player who plays for Toulouse and France. He was a part of the victorious French team of the 2006 Six Nations Championship. Nyanga plays at flanker in the style of a classic 'fetcher' with explosive pace from the scrum and excellent ability to support backs in later phases of play, …
- Vicky Longomba
Vicky Longomba (Born December 13, 1932, died March 12, 1988 in Kinshasa) was the lead singer and founder of Tout puissant OK Jazz, a Congolese rumba group. He later formed his own group, Lovy du Zaire. He was the father of Lovy Longomba (member of Super Mazembe) and Awilo Longomba, both popular musicians.
- Guy-Patrice Lumumba
Guy-Patrice Lumumba, also known as Patrice Lumumba Guy, is the son of murdered Congolese Prime Minister and Pan-Africanist Patrice Émery Lumumba. His arrest in December 2005 was mentioned by the British House of Commons. He ran independently for President of Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2006, but received only about 0.42% of the vote. The World Socialist Website indicates he has signed a complaint regarding the elections, …
- Fabrice Muamba
Fabrice Muamba (born 6 April 1988 in Kinshasa) is an English footballer who currently plays in midfield for Birmingham City.
- Yannick Yenga
Yannick Yenga (born April 10, 1985 in Kinshasa) is a Congolese football striker currently playing for Dijon FCO in the French Ligue 2.
- James Kabare
James Kabare was the Tutsi chief military strategist in Laurent-Désiré Kabila's rebel Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (ADFL) during the 1996/1997 stage of the Second Congo War (including the capture of Kinshasa). Although Kabare claimed to originate from North Kivu, he is widely believed to be a native Rwandan, and is a Rwandan national.
- Kaysha
Hip hop/Zouk artist Kaysha is the stage name of Edward Mokolo Jr (born January 22, 1974 in Kinshasa). One of the most eclectic rappers and producers to work on places like the West indies, South America and Africa. He was born in Democratic Republic of Congo but immigrated to France with his parents at the age of seven. Kaysha is very well known for his first hit single which uses a sample from West Indian band Kassav's "Oulé" in a song called "Bounce Baby", …
- Kiki Musampa
Kiki Kizito Musampa (born July 20 1977 in Kinshasa, DR Congo) is a Dutch international footballer who currently plays for Trabzonspor. Musampa first started off in the famous Ajax Amsterdam youth academy where he played a total of 31 games in two seasons and scored six goals.
- Leroy Lita
Leroy Halirou Lita (born 28 December 1984 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo) is an English U21 international footballer, currently playing for Reading in the English Premier League.
- Cedric Makiadi
Cedric Makiadi (born 23 February 1984 in Kinshasa) is a Congolese football player, who currently plays for VfL Wolfsburg. Although he was born in DR Congo, Makiadi and his family moved to Germany when he was eight years of age. There were calls for Makiadi to be called up to the German national side, and he even rejected a call to the Congolese national side for the African Cup of Nations, furthering speculation that he was in line for a call up. However, …
- Mwadi Mabika
Mwadi Mabika (born July 27, 1976 in Kinshasa, Zaire (present Democratic Republic of the Congo)) is a Congolese basketball player and an All-Star in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She studied biology and chemistry at the Massamba School in Kinshasa. She was brought to the United States by NBA star and fellow countryman, Dikembe Mutombo, and his brother Tshitingo Mutombo, …
- Blaise N'Kufo
Blaise Isetsima N'Kufo is a Swiss soccer player of Congolese (DRC) origin. He currently plays as a striker for FC Twente in the Netherlands. He stated to have found peace and rest at Twente after a nomadic existence career, in 2006 he signed a new contract that keeps him at the club until 2009. In March 2007 he was asked in an interview for the biggest Dutch football magazine (VI) why Ricardo Cabanas, who only scored one goal in the 2. Bundesliga this season, …
- Depara
Lemvo Jean Abou Bakar Depara, known as Depara (1928-1997), was an Angolan-born photographer who worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Depara purchased his first camera to record his wedding in 1950; four years later, he was made official photographer to the Zairian singer Franco. In 1975 he became official photographer to the National Assembly of Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Gabriel Zakuani
Gabriel "Gabby" Zakuani (born May 31 1986 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo) is a professional footballer currently playing for Fulham. Zakuani moved to London in 1992 where Leyton Orient spotted him playing in one of his school matches as a 14 year old. After two seasons in the Youth Team, the 16-year-old was given his first team debut in a match against Bury in March 2003. In the 2004/5 and 2005/6 seasons he become a regular in Martin Ling's plans, …
- Youssuf Mulumbu
Youssuf Mulumbu (born on 25 January 1987 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo is a footballer, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain FC. His position is midfield.
- Chiguy Lucau
Chiguy Lucau (born 4 August 1984 in Kinshasa) is a Congoese-French footballer. As of 2006 plays for Le Mans Union Club 72. He also played for PSG.
- Christian Kinkela
Christian Fuanda Kinkela (born 25 May 1985 in Kinshasa) is a Congolese football defender. He was a member of the Congolese 2006 African Nations Cup team, who progressed to the quarter finals, where they were eliminated by Egypt, who eventually won the tournament.
- Frédéric Cardinal Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi
Frédéric Cardinal Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi, C.I.C.M. (December 3 1930, Belgian Congo - January 6 2007, Leuven, Belgium) was the Archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the DRC's top Roman Catholic prelate from 1991 to his death.
- Carlos Alberto Fernandes
Carlos Alberto Fernandes, (born December 18, 1979 in Kinshasa), is a Portuguese football goalkeeper, who plays for Boavista FC. Until december 2006 he played for Steaua Bucharest in Romania. He is the first ever Portuguese player to have played in Liga I.
- Leki
Karoline ‘Leki’ Kamosi is a Congolese and Belgian R&B artist now living in Belgium. She is the sister of Manuela 'Ya Kid K' Kamosi. Her first single, 'Breakin' Out', reached the top 10 in Belgium, while failing to crack the top 50 in France. Her second single, 'Crazy', from her self-titled album 'Leki', reached the top 30 in Belgium. Her nickname "Leki", is the lingala word "lɛ́ki", meaning the “younger sibling”.