Judith Suminwa Tuluka Congolese first Female PM

Judith Suminwa Tuluka, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first female prime minister, was sworn in on Wednesday 12 of June 2024. This is huge considering that the DRC is among the 10 African countries with the lowest number of women in government

During the presentation of her action agenda on Tuesday afternoon, Tuluka expressed her pride in being the first female Congolese prime minister and shattering the “glass ceiling”.
“By assuming this position, I am fully aware of the historical importance of this moment and the symbolism of this appointment for the Congolese nation. I feel both the weight of the responsibility on me and an immense pride in the idea of representing within the Republic, the culmination of the efforts of all Congolese men and women tending to break the famous ‘glass ceiling’,” the new Prime Minister stated.

As Prime Minister, she promised to create 2.6 million jobs and establish an academy of mathematics and artificial intelligence in Kinshasa, as part of a broader mission to usher in an “emerging Congo.”

She also outlined steps to address climate change, public services, infrastructural connectivity, economic diversification, and national security.

Judith Tuluka Suminwa (57) was appointed head of government by Félix Tshisekedi on Monday 1ᵉʳ April. A first in the history of the DRC.

Mrs Suminwa, who was born in Kongo-Centrale in October 1967, graduated from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) with a master’s degree in Applied Economics, specialising in financial management, and completed her course with a diploma of further studies in Work in Developing Countries.

Before climbing the political ladder, Judith Suminwa honed her skills in the banking sector, laying the foundations for what was to be an exceptional career. Her commitment to the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as a national expert in a community support project in the east of the country, bears witness to her dedication to the cause of development and stability.

She made the transition to politics at the Ministry of the Budget, where she held a strategic position before being promoted to deputy coordinator of the Presidential Strategic Watch Council (CPVS). Judith Tuluka Suminwa went on to distinguish herself in this role, landing the post of Minister of Planning in the Lukonde II government in March 2023.