Hon. Bestine Kazadi Ditabala

Bestine Kazadi is the Minister Delegate for International Cooperation and Francophonie at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where she oversees international cooperation and Francophonie. She is also a lawyer, writer, activist, and business leader, having made significant contributions across various fields.

Born in Belgium and raised in the DRC, Bestine later returned to Europe to study law. Upon her return to the DRC in 2002, she dedicated herself to promoting and advancing democracy and fundamental rights by founding the Bureau of Reflections and Congolese Studies (BREC). She is also the leader of the Congolese Women's Civil Society, a platform focused on promoting women's leadership.

In addition to her legal and political work, Attorney Bestine KAZADI is an accomplished author of poems and short stories and has composed a peace anthem.

She made history by becoming the first woman to preside over one of the DRC’s largest football clubs. In a landmark achievement for African football, Bestine Kazadi was elected as the fifth vice-president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in March 2025, becoming the first Congolese woman to serve on CAF's executive committee.