Director of Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in a group based in Congo, Charlotte Kalala is also the founder of the “Congo Na Paris” fair, a socio-economic forum and pop culture festival that takes place every year in Paris. The 2022 edition will take place from April 16 to 17 on the theme “Tonga Mboka-Building the country: Congo, lung of the planet”.
Could you please introduce yourself?
I am Charlotte KALALA, communication and CSR director in an African group located in Congo, and serial entrepreneur. I am also a mother, a full time job: it is the one I prefer.
I first obtained a literary baccalaureate. I then went on to study administration and international exchanges at the University of Paris 12. Afterwards, I did a 2-year training in marketing at a business school: INSEEC BACHELOR.
When I became a mother, I was not able to continue my studies. But I was able to resume them, 10 years later, during the pandemic. Thus, in 2021, I validated my Master’s degree in management and management of organizations and companies at the IFG.
What motivated you to create “Congo Na Paris” (CNP)? What is the particularity of this event and what are its objectives?
In 2015, I couldn’t find any positive narrative about Congo. Everything I saw through search engines was quite negative. When I went to Congo for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. The Africa I had been told was not the Africa I was discovering. It was much more beautiful, much richer, much happier! I therefore sought, by different means, a way to show another view of the Congo and, by extension, of Africa.
The particularity of Congo Na Paris is that it is both a socio-economic fair and a pop culture festival. For a weekend, visitors embark to visit the Congo Basin without leaving Paris. The show is organized by young people in love with Bantu culture who want to show the best of Congo: The Congo that wins, A resilient Congo, The strong Congo!
The fifth edition of CNP will be held on April 16 and 17 on the theme “Tonga Mboka-Building the country: Congo, lung of the planet. Why the choice of this theme?
After the editions Zonga Mboka, return to the country, we launched “Tonga Mboka” which means cons-build the country. It is in the continuity. We return to visit, discover, invest. But, above all, to build the country. The Congo has an enormous potential thanks to its forests, its rivers, art, minerals and its demography which does not stop growing. This country-continent is even unavoidable. It is a real economic, societal and environmental lung in the heart of the concerns of this world. The subjects on this artistic breeding ground, and green lung are often treated without taking into account the freedoms of the Congolese. It is essential to get out of ideology and not to leave these subjects only in the hands of politicians. It is even ESSENTIAL that companies and civil society get involved in the discussions and debates.
Could you remind us of the content of the previous editions and what assessment could you make of these editions?
We started with the Salon de la Culture Congolaise and then the Zonga Mboka editions. During the first edition, we were able to put the spotlight on the actors of the diaspora who are the pride of the world of culture in France. We also had the intervention of French elected officials and the International Organization of the Francophonie. We had addressed several themes including “How to bridge the gap between the land of origin and the land of welcome”. Several round tables had punctuated the day and the weekend had ended with a festival with a concert, parade and a stage animated by comedians. The following editions have received more and more visitors but also speakers who came from the conti-nent only to participate in the fair.
In 2019, a delegation of 20 Congolese companies came to represent the DRC and 3 of them represented the DRC.
The edition of Congo Na Paris which took place online in 2020, allowed us to reach a wider target and to exchange on concrete topics for the diaspora such as: Investing in the Congo, the diaspora offers of insurance and banks … There is so much to say about each edition. They were unique and exceptional! If I could summarize, I would say that the diaspora is in demand of meetings like Congo Na Paris. It wants to be heard. It wants to actively participate in development. Congo Na Paris is THE platform that connects the diaspora to Congo DRC and Congo Brazaville. This platform offers credible interlocutors to answer the questions of this diaspora but also of those who love Africa.
Finally, I am really proud when a visitor tells me that the moment when he is most proud to be Congolese is when he comes to our event Congo Na Paris!
Do you think you have reached your objectives? What has been the impact and what are the results obtained in the 5 sectors that interest CNP. Namely: business, tourism, culture, social dynamics and gastronomy?
The first objective was to show a different image of the Congo. The second was to convince people from Congo and Africa that they are capable of working together and to offer a trade show that meets the standards of major institutional trade shows.
Our third challenge was to federate the diaspora and friends of the Congo around a territory and its 5 universes. The fourth target is the one we are working on now. It is about connecting the diasporas to the Congo.
Since our first edition, we have received more than 6000 visitors! That is to say a qualified database of more than 7000 people of Congolese origin or interested in business opportunities, tourism, Congolese culture…
Today, we are happy to be able to count on the contribution and encouragement of Congolese and French institutions and governments, even though we are an apolitical organization.
Our interlocutors have seen our efforts to show that not everything is about politics, corruption, violence and sexual crimes when it comes to the Congo. Of course, these are realities that should not be hidden. But they do not define the country! Congo should also be associated with positive and hopeful notes.
Apart from the annual event, how does the CNP concept work in other ways? Do you organize other activities?
We organize Meet up(s), socio-professional meetings in person or online. We also publish an online magazine and a paper version that is published every six months. CNP Magazine is published in 3000 copies. We also offer consultancy for other events, putting in touch our dias-poras and companies located in Congo.
We are currently preparing a Tonga Mboka trade show to be held in Congo. At the end of 2022, we will also offer a new service for the diasporas. I won’t say more about it and I’ll see you in December!
After 4 years of existence, what are the innovations to bring in CNP and what are your projects?
After several years of existence and four consecutive editions, we have a better understanding of our subject and are now able to solicit partners who can provide concrete solutions and a safe and reliable support to our visitors.
This 5th edition will see the launch of our award ceremony! Thus, 8 distinctions will be awarded to men and women who have distinguished themselves in different categories and who deserve, according to us, to have the spotlight on them.
Congo Na Paris is also about celebrating men and women who are the pride of Congo and Africa and offering future generations inspiring models and figures.
