Kinshasa, November 5th, 2025 (CPA). The launching of renovation work on the Congolese Cultural Centre Le Zoo, located north of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was the focus of the first meeting of the management committee of this public building, the CPA learned on Wednesday from official sources. ‘The launch of the renovation work on the Congolese Cultural Centre the Zoo is imminent. The first meeting of the newly appointed management committee of the Congolese Cultural Centre Le Zoo (CCCZ) was an opportunity to take stock of this Congolese cultural space,’ said Paul Ngoie Kabongo, Director General, during a discussion. ‘The main mission of the CCCZ is to promote and disseminate Congolese culture. After several years of observation, the Minister of Culture, having noted that the center was no longer fulfilling its missions due to a lack of resources, deemed it necessary to re-launch its activities by appointing a new committee,’ he said, adding that: ‘The latter has been given a specific mission to revitalize it, which must not only be rehabilitated and equipped to better fulfil its role as a space for the creation and dissemination of Congolese talent.’
He added that ‘each director must already set to work to bring innovative projects to participate in the re-launching of the activities of the Zoo Cultural Centre.’ Taking stock of the situation at the Zoo Cultural Centre, each director made proposals to restore this cultural infrastructure to its former glory. The action plan consisted of discussing the recovery plan proposed by the general management. This plan focused primarily on the renovation of the auditorium and the center’s infrastructure. The idea is to clean up and sustainably enhance the environment, landscape the grounds, manage water ecologically and improve the lighting. It also aims to improve the visitor experience and offer young people a setting for artistic training, he said. « This plan will be supported and financed by public and private partners to equip the center. There will certainly also are benefits for the partners, who will be promoted as contributors to Congolese cultural influence. Certain institutions have already been approached to help us achieve this goal. The ultimate goal is to have a renovated and dynamic center in a green and welcoming environment with young people trained and integrated into the arts profession. And the center will offer a diverse program,‘ Paul Ngoie Kabongo added, specifying that with ’good management, we can achieve financial autonomy ». At the end of the meeting, the committee of the Congolese Cultural Centre Le Zoo announced that work would begin in early December 2025. ACP/