Lydie Pongault

Lydie Pongault (born 1959) is a Congolese museum director, financier and politician, who was appointed Minister of Cultural Industry, Tourism, Arts and Leisure of the Republic of Congo on 24 September 2022.

Biography Born Marie-France Lydie Hélène Pongault in 1959, she studied for diplomas in accounting, management and private law, and subsequently held positions in finance for several years within several Congolese companies, before changing career to focus on culture and the arts.

One of her first roles as financial director was at Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. She was also a financial director for GKM Audit & Conseil. During her tenure she curated several exhibitions, including one on the Kébé-Kébé dance.

On 24 September 2022, following a cabinet reshuffle, Pongault joined the second Makosso government as Minister of Cultural Industry, Tourism, Arts and Leisure, replacing Dieudonné Moyongo [ fr] and Destinée Doukaga, who had held the respective positions of Minister of Culture and Arts and Minister of Tourism and Leisure in the first Makosso government. As minister she has reiterated the importance of Congolese investment in the arts and tourism for the government.