Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country frequently impacted by humanitarian and climate crises, solidified his dedication to often-marginalized rural communities.

Joseph Tsongo is a Congolese entrepreneur dedicated to social and environmental causes, a commitment rooted in his upbringing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country frequently impacted by humanitarian and climate crises.

He is the founder and CEO of Jambo Lab, a tech startup launched in 2022. The company focuses on protecting vulnerable communities from the effects of climate change. Jambo Lab developed a web platform, also named Jambo Lab, that uses artificial intelligence and an SMS alert system. The platform aims to strengthen the adaptation of rural populations in the DRC by providing practical information on sustainable farming techniques.

Accessible even without a smartphone or internet connection, the platform allows residents, including Indigenous peoples and those displaced by war in the eastern part of the country, to interact and exchange information using basic mobile phones.

In parallel, Tsongo co-founded Jambo Radio in 2022, a mobile community media outlet where he serves as a storyteller. This media produces and broadcasts programs in local languages, combining online podcasts with group listening sessions followed by debates within listener clubs. The goal is to raise awareness of climate and environmental issues, combat disinformation, and promote fact-based local advocacy.

Tsongo's civic engagement predates these initiatives. In 2016, he established Amani-Institute ASBL, a youth movement with a socio-cultural mission focused on peacebuilding in eastern DRC. From 2014 to 2021, he also managed a community radio station that highlighted environmental issues within the Virunga Landscape.

By Melchior Koba,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji