# Samy Badibanga

Samy Badibanga Ntita (born 12 September 1962) is a Congolese politician who was Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from November 2016 to May 2017. He was also on the ballot for the 2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election as a presidential candidate.

## Early life and education

Samy Badibanga Ntita, born on September 12, 1962, in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a prominent political figure who served as the country's Prime Minister from November 2016 to May 2017. ​
He is the sixth child of Samuel Badibanga, a notable figure from the Grand Kasaï region. The family primarily resided in the upscale Binza Ma Campagne neighborhood of the Mont-Ngaliema commune in Kinshasa. ​
In 1986, Badibanga graduated from the Higher Institute of Human Sciences in Geneva. He furthered his education in gemology at the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (High Council of Diamonds) and the International Gemological Institute, both located in Antwerp.
Badibanga's political journey began in 2011 when he was elected as a deputy in the National Assembly. He led the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) parliamentary group until 2016. His tenure as Prime Minister, from November 2016 to May 2017, was part of a transitional government aimed at addressing political tensions in the country. ​Congo Belge - Province de l'Equateur
In the 2018 general election, Badibanga was a presidential candidate, reflecting his continued commitment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo's political landscape. ​
Throughout his career, Badibanga has been recognized for his contributions to both the economic and political spheres of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

## Career
### Professional

His career began in 1986 when he became a managing director of SOCODAM SPRL. He also became the director and managing director of SAMEX TRADING SPRL in 1995.
He later became a consultant for BHP Billiton from 2005 to 2010, participating in the introduction of the company in the country, particularly in partnerships with public enterprises. In 2006, he created the Federation of Explorers and Extractors (FEE) in the country to promote good governance in natural resources management. He was also a senior lecturer at iPAD DRC meetings in the mining sector from 2005 to 2009.

### Political

Badibanga is an honoury member of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress since 1994.
Badibanga was closely associated with opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi before the November 2011 presidential election and was elected national deputy the same year. Tshisekedi, alleging that the official results were fraudulent, ordered the newly elected UDPS deputies, Badibanga among them, to boycott the National Assembly. Badibanga took his seat anyway, becoming President of the UDPS and Allies Parliamentary Group and thereby creating a rift between himself and Tshisekedi.
In October 2016, Badibanga participated in a dialogue between the government and some elements of the opposition regarding the timing of the next election. The dialogue resulted in an agreement for Kabila to remain in office beyond the normal end of his term (December 2016) to allow time for the organization of the next election, which was delayed until April 2018, while also stipulating that a representative of the opposition would serve as Prime Minister during the period leading up to the election. President Joseph Kabila then appointed Badibanga as Prime Minister on 17 November 2016. In doing so, he bypassed a more prominent representative of the opposition who also participated in the dialogue, Vital Kamerhe, contrary to general expectations. More radical elements of the opposition, associated with Étienne Tshisekedi, opposed any deal with the government allowing Kabila to remain in office. Shortly after his appointment, he was accused of being a Congolese-Belgian dual citizen by Olivier Kamitatu, the former president of the National Assembly, which is forbidden in the DRC. On 19 December 2016, he formed his cabinet.
Badibanga resigned in April 2017 after Kabila announced that he planned to appoint a new prime minister from the opposition. Kabila appointed Bruno Tshibala as Prime Minister on 7 April.
On 27 July 2019, Badibanga was elected vice-president of the upper house of the DRC parliament, The Senate.

## Personal life

He is the father of Béni Badibanga, a professional footballer.