Kinshasa, March 30th, 2026 (CPA).– The first edition of the “Betsaleel” fair aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among students was held on Sunday by the youth department of the Protestant Parish of the University of Lubumbashi (PP-Unilu) in Haut-Katanga province, southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a statement consulted Monday by CPA. “This exchange forum enabled students and alumni to showcase their activities, take part in conference sessions and highlight their know-how within a genuine entrepreneurial ecosystem of sharing,” the statement from the Protestant Parish of Unilu read. In his address, Reverend Chaplain Me Stanislas Kalombo, Pastor of PP-Unilu, as quoted in the statement, praised the initiative as meaningful and hopeful. He urged young people to cultivate academic excellence in order to undertake business ventures with integrity. According to him, the success of a business model must necessarily be based on honesty and Christian values, making each young person a responsible manager before God and society. The source indicated that Mr. Abdon Patrick Tshibangu, provincial president of youth of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC-Katanga), commended the organization of this inaugural edition, which constitutes a powerful lever for innovation and highlights the disruptive talents of young Christians while boosting their entrepreneurial spirit.
Strategic workshops to support innovation
Furthermore, the source indicated that strategic workshops aimed at supporting innovations by Christian students in their entrepreneurial journey were showcased and highlighted during the fair. Speakers addressed key themes ranging from the ideation phase to fundraising, including administrative structuring. The first panel, led by Deacon Ali Mulashe and Mr. Adrien Fariala, engaged the audience on a central issue: “How to transform a conceptual vision into a sustainable and structured enterprise?” They shared practical tools to validate a value proposition and navigate the complexities of legal formalization with the State. The second panel focused on: “How to finance your project or business,” led by Mr. Timothée Ngoie and Mr. Christian Fataki, who outlined the prerequisites for obtaining financing from banks or microfinance institutions.
The source reported that the “Holiness to the Lord” temple, transformed for the occasion into a real exhibition hub, hosted numerous stands showcasing the diversity of sectors invested in by students, including agribusiness, locally processed food products, services and crafts, decoration, fashion design, tailoring and painting. Other sectors included technical services and maintenance, computer engineering, printing services and construction solutions, as well as well-being and health, including local medical services and beauty care. The Betsaleel fair concluded on a note of hope, laying the foundations for a strong networking platform among young Christian value creators in the city of Lubumbashi, the source concluded.