Jean-Marie Kanda Ntumbato | Director
Centre Africain d'Excellence pour les Batteries (CAEB)

Dr. Jean Marie Kanda Ntumba is a highly respected figure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with extensive expertise in mineral processing and industrial chemistry. He holds a PhD in Mineral Processing (Engineering) from the University of Liège, Belgium, and a Civil Engineering degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Lubumbashi. A professor at the Polytechnic Faculty of the University of Lubumbashi, Dr. Kanda Ntumba has been teaching in the Department of Industrial Chemistry for over 24 years, as well as in other faculties of the university. He served as Dean of the Polytechnic Faculty from December 2020 to September 2023. His professional experience includes serving as Technical and Sales Representative for Cytec–Solvay Group’s Mineral Processing division in the DRC and West Africa region (2015–2022). Since April 2022, he has been the Coordinator and Director of the African Centre of Excellence (CAEB), focusing on innovation, research, and training in the battery value chain and energy transition. In February 2023, he was appointed by presidential decree (Order N23/015) as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Congolese Battery Council (CCB). His research interests include flotation reagent optimization and qualification, electrolyte formulation, battery precursor characterization, and water treatment.