A Tribute in Brazzaville for a Respected Figure of the AET
The Association of Former Child Soldiers (AET) of Congo held a final tribute on January 14 in Brazzaville for AET Claude Kipemesso. He passed away on December 24 in Brazzaville, according to the association’s report.
A Life Journey Recalled by His Peers
During the ceremony, the eulogy presented Claude Kipemesso as a disciplined and highly regarded member of the AET community. His journey, from childhood to his professional and civic engagements, was recounted, highlighting a profile shaped by study and service.
From Kibangou to the Military Preparatory School
Claude Kipemesso was born on December 3, 1953, in Kibangou, in the Niari department. After primary school in Kibangou, he entered the General Leclerc Military Preparatory School (EMPLG) in 1966. He and his classmates formed the class known as the “Emery Patrice Lumumba Promotion.”
Academic Path and Orientation Towards Economics
His peers described him as discreet but cheerful during his years as a young child soldier. He obtained the BEMG and continued his studies at the Lycée technique d’État du 1er mai, where he earned a baccalaureate in commercial techniques. He then pursued higher education focused on economics and law.
Training at INSSEJAG and Entry into Professional Life
His academic journey continued at the Institute of Economic, Legal, Administrative, and Management Sciences (INSSEJAG), where he earned a degree in economic sciences. With this background, he began a professional career that his colleagues presented as stable, technical, and based on strong financial and administrative skills.
A Career in Hotel Finance and Internal Control
Claude Kipemesso first worked as an internal auditor and head of the control department at the Mbamou Palace hotel. He later became assistant to the financial director and head of accounting and financial services. He ultimately held the position of financial director of the hotel, reflecting a progression of responsibilities.
Public Engagement During the National Transition
Beyond the private sector, speakers recalled his civic involvement. He participated in the Sovereign National Conference and later served as a deputy during Congo’s transition period. This chapter of his life was presented as an expression of citizenship and a willingness to contribute to public life.
Theological Studies and Continued Community Service
The eulogy also noted his training at the Bérérée Theological Academy, where he obtained a master’s degree in theological ministry management. For those who knew him, this additional qualification illustrated a personal commitment to learning and to roles that combine leadership and service.
Consultancy Work on Programs Supported by the Global Fund
His involvement with NGOs and civil society later led him to roles in project management and strategic monitoring. According to the report read during the tribute, Claude Kipemesso served as a national consultant for the National Coordination Committee for projects funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
A Farewell Marked by Remembrance and Institutional Pride
The January 14 ceremony brought the AET community together around a common narrative: that of a man shaped by national institutions, tested by professional responsibilities, and engaged in civic and social initiatives. In honoring Claude Kipemesso, the association highlighted the values of discipline, training, and commitment oriented towards the public interest.
Congo-Brazzaville: BantuHub Unveils the BantuLab Incubator
The BantuHub Foundation has launched BantuLab, an incubator presented as a tailored program to help high-potential Congolese founders grow. The initiative is accompanied by a one-million-euro investment vehicle, co-financed with Groupe L’Archer, and positions itself as a practical boost for local entrepreneurship.
The first call for applications targets fintech startups and runs from January 14 to 24. For Congo’s growing startup scene, the opening of a structured program with dedicated capital is described by the organizers as a significant milestone in the national entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Economic Diversification and a Practical Tool for Local Talent
BantuLab is presented as part of a broader effort to strengthen Congo’s economic diversification, with the incubator designed to transform local talent into sustainable businesses. The program’s messaging emphasizes measurable impact and operational support over grand promises, reflecting a results-oriented approach to startup building.
The underlying diagnosis is familiar to many entrepreneurs: talent exists across sectors, but growth is often hampered by limited structured support and funding that doesn’t always match startup realities. By bundling selection, mentorship, and investment into a single mechanism, BantuLab aims to bridge this gap in a direct way.
Véroné Mankou’s Entrepreneurial Journey Shapes the Program
BantuLab is initiated by Véroné Mankou, described by the organizers as a visionary engineer and pioneer associated with the first “made in Africa” smartphones and tablets. His involvement places a recognizable figure of African innovation at the center of the incubator’s identity and ambition.
In the project’s presentation, Mankou’s experience is presented as a guide for building businesses under real-world conditions. The incubator is positioned as an extension of this mindset: testing ideas, refining products, and aiming for traction, with support calibrated to each startup’s development stage.
€1 Million Co-Financed Fund and Equity Investment Model
At the heart of BantuLab is a dedicated one-million-euro fund, financed by the BantuHub Foundation and Groupe L’Archer. The vehicle is designed to invest directly in selected startups through equity stakes, with amounts and terms meant to reflect maturity, growth potential, and broader economic and social impact.
L’Archer is presented as a financing and investment player focused on Central Africa. In the narrative surrounding the partnership, the co-financing is portrayed as a private-sector bet on creating local value, aligned with the idea of building national champions rather than relying solely on imports or extractive rents.
Fintech Focus: Inclusion, Digitization, and Scalable Services
The program’s first cycle focuses on fintech, defined here as businesses using digital innovation to broaden access to financial services. This choice is described as strategic: fintech solutions can support the digitization of the economy and enhance financial inclusion through more accessible and potentially lower-cost services.
Applications close on