Scientific Field Mission in the Karst Region of Kongo Central – 2026

This field mission was conducted in Kongo Central (Democratic Republic of the Congo) from July 26 to August 8, 2026, as part of the first field campaign of Nadège Ngala’s PhD research and the research activities of Jojo Mazama, both scholarship holders under the GeoRes4Dev project. The mission was supervised by Dr. Imen Arfaoui (RMCA), accompanied by Dr. Hardy Nkodia (UMNG, GeoRes4Dev postdoctoral fellow).

The fieldwork primarily focused on the karst region of Mbanza-Ngungu, with investigations carried out in several caves. Activities included geological and karstological observations, as well as the collection of rock, speleothem, sediment, and water samples, to acquire new data on the geology and evolution of the region’s karst systems.

The mission also provided an opportunity to continue the training and supervision of young Congolese researchers in the field. Two scientific seminars were organized in Mbanza-Ngungu and Kinshasa to present research conducted within the GeoRes4Dev project and to strengthen scientific exchanges and collaboration with local research partners.