First Lady Denise Nyakeru Launches ‘Fondation Lona’ at 6th Excellentia

Democratic Republic of Congo First Lady Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi has rebranded her flagship education charity as “Fondation Lona” during the 6th edition of the Excellentia scholarship awards, reaffirming her commitment to promoting excellence and equal opportunities for Congolese youth.

The awards ceremony, held on Thursday at the Cultural and Artistic Center of Central African Countries in Kinshasa, was attended by President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, National Assembly President Vital Kamerhe, and other senior officials.

The Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi Foundation has been renamed Fondation Lona, a Lingala word meaning “to sow.” The First Lady said the new identity reflects the organisation’s mission to “sow excellence in people to build a better Congo.”

His new stage is about creating a fairer and more equitable Congolese society where excellence and equal opportunities are pillars,” she told guests.

• Recognising the 2025 Laureates

• The 6th edition honoured 206 new scholarship winners:

• 79 under the Excellentia Programme

• 64 under Excellentia Lualaba Bora

• 63 under Excellentia Wantashi

Addressing the laureates, the First Lady described them as “young seeds sown, ready to germinate, grow, and bear fruit that will beautify the land of Congo and become solutions for its people.”

Since the programme’s launch in 2020, 574 young people from all provinces have received scholarships to pursue their education.

Education as a Driver of Change

This edition marks the end of a chapter and the opening of a new, more ambitious one, so our youth can always aim higher,” she said. “I am proud of the path travelled, grateful to our partners and to the families who believe in this vision. Education is the key to transforming our country and changing the world. Dear laureates, you are the elite of tomorrow and the ambassadors of Congolese hope. Continue to shine.”

The Minister of Youth and Patriotic Awakening, Grace Kutino, also attended the event, praising the programme’s role in inspiring young Congolese to excel.

Background

The Excellentia programme was established to identify and support outstanding students across the DRC, offering scholarships for studies both at home and abroad. With its rebranding to Fondation Lona, the initiative aims to expand its reach and reinforce its focus on education as a foundation for national development.