Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology

Dr. Martial De-Paul Ikounga was born on 27th June 1949 in Dolisie, Congo-Brazzaville. He had his primary and secondary education in Congo, and obtained a High School Diploma in Mathematics in 1968. After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in 1971 and a Master’s Degree in Physics in 1972, he specialized in Fluids mechanics and became a Water Engineer (EIH-INP Grenoble) in 1974. Thereafter, he completed a Hydrologist Certificate course from ORSTOM in 1977 and a Doctorate in Water Engineering Sciences in 1978 from Université Paris VI in 1978.

Dr. Ikounga conducted extensive research and published five papers including his PhD thesis entitled “Analyse fine du ruissellement sur sols ferralitiques sous forêt” (Detailed Analysis of run-off on ferralitic soils in forests) published in 1978; “Study of natural convection in a vertical plane (thermal exchange)” published in 1975 and “Note on the Kouilou_Niari watershed” published in 1977. He carried out several surveys and projects in the field of drinking water supply in Congo and Cameroon, in collaboration with several institutions such as ORSTOM (IRD), WHO, Société Nationale de Distribution d’Eau (S.N.D.E).

Dr. Ikounga also proved to be a talented novelist who published several novels, including “Journeys of Initiation” and Dieke’s death, published in 2010. He published books written in “Yaka”, his mother tongue, including 'Proverbes de la sagesse yaka” (Proverbs of Yaka wisdom). Dr. Ikounga distinguished himself in the area of scientific innovation through the invention of teaching tools as well as devices for water studies. He founded the Association of Congolese Inventors. In 1988, he organized an exhibition for the contest dubbed “Inventer pour aider la Femme” (Inventing to Help Women).

Dr. Ikounga started his professional career as a teacher of Mathematics and Physics from 1966 to 1978. Later on, he joined the S.N.D.E where he worked as Technical Director, and as Director of Operations and Planning from 1978 to 1991. This time, he published a book entitled "Jargon de l'hydraulicien pour le profane" (Jargon of water engineers for laymen).Throughout this period, he succeeded in combining his responsibilities with his academic activities as he was a non-permanent lecturer at the University of Brazzaville.

He started a brilliant political career in 1989 in the parliament in Congo Brazzaville as a civil society representative (community of academics and scientific associations). In 1992, he was elected Member of Parliament for a 5-year term of office. From 2007 to 2012, as a Member of Parliament, he became the Chairman of the Education, Culture, Science and Technology Commission of the National Assembly of Congo.

Dr. Ikounga also entered the Government where he occupied several ministerial positions including Secretary of State and Minister of Science and Technology from 1991 to 1992, Minister at the Presidency of the Republic, Director of Head of State’s Cabinet, Minister of National Education, Scientific and Technological Research in charge of Technical Education from 1995 to 1997, Minister of High and Technical Education from 1996 to 1997, Minister of Reconstruction and National Heritage in 1997. Though he was a member of Government, Dr. Ikounga also worked with several NGOs in his country.

In 2008, he founded and presided over the Association of former Ministers of the Republic. His expertise and experience at the national level propelled him in the international scene; and in 2013, he was appointed Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology at the African Union Commission headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Dr. Ikounga speaks both English and French and belongs to several associations including the Association of Former Ministers of Congo and the Federation of African Inventors Association. He was granted several distinctions including: Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Congo, Commander of the Order of Merit of the French Republic, and Officer of the Order of Merit in Agriculture of the Republic of Congo.

Married and father of five, Dr. Ikounga also has six grandchildren.