Judith Suminwa Tuluka Is DR Congo's First Female Prime Minister

Judith Suminwa Tuluka becomes DR Congo’s first female prime minister.

Judith Suminwa Tuluka has been appointed Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo by President Félix Tshisekedi.

With her appointment on April 1, 2024, she becomes the nation’s first female prime minister.

Tuluka takes over as prime minister from Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, following President Felix Tshisekedi’s sweeping re-election on December 20.

She will lead Congo’s new administration following Tshisekedi’s resounding victory in the December elections. Despite the rapid expansion of Congo’s economy, which is fueled by the thriving copper industry, the country is dealing with growing conflicts in its eastern areas and managing Congo’s significant natural resources.

Armed with over 20 years of national and international experience in Democratic Governance and Peace Consolidation, Judith Tuluka obtained a master’s degree in applied economics at the Free University of Brussels and is a graduate of accounting from the School of Promotion and Continuing Education (EPFC) in Brussels.

She worked in the banking sector before joining United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme where she was a national expert in a community support project in the east of the country.

She then worked in the Ministry of the Budget before becoming the deputy coordinator of the Presidential Strategic Watch Council (CPVS).

Before her recent appointment as prime minister, Tuluka was appointed Minister of Planning in the Sama Lukonde government on March 24, 2023.

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