“Africa is also driving innovation,” says Tendresse Lompala, MMB Packaging

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Tendresse Lompala is a Congolese entrepreneur based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Trained as a nurse and nutritionist, she is the founder and Managing Director of MMB Packaging (Mwana Mboka Tolia ya Biso), a company specialising in the design, manufacturing and customisation of packaging for food and cosmetic products. The young woman is also behind Tendrelac, a brand of nutritious cereals. Tendresse was selected for the Future Leaders Class of 2027 by Paris Packaging Week.

What made you choose packaging as a career, and what inspires you about the sector?

Tendresse Lompala – My journey into packaging started with a problem I faced when launching my own food brand, Tendrelac.

I noticed that many Congolese entrepreneurs were making quality products but had huge difficulties finding packaging that was suitable, professional and affordable. Some local products struggled to compete. The reason wasn’t their quality, but simply how they were presented.

That reality really struck me. I realised that good packaging could transform how a product is perceived, build consumer trust and open the door to new markets. That’s how my belief was born: “Package well to sell well.”

Today, I don’t see packaging as just a container. For me, it’s a real tool for economic development.

This year’s Paris Packaging Week theme is “In the Spotlight”. In your view, which challenge or opportunity in the packaging sector deserves more attention?

Tendresse Lompala – I believe the international packaging industry should pay more attention to the challenges faced by African entrepreneurs.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo , we have talented producers, raw materials and immense entrepreneurial potential. Yet access to modern packaging technologies, industrial equipment and sustainable solutions remains limited, which sometimes prevents our products from reaching international markets.

For me, one of the biggest opportunities is to develop a packaging industry that is accessible, innovative and adapted to African realities. Africa should not only be seen as a consumer market, but also as a key player in innovation and production.

What would you like to change in the packaging industry?

Tendresse Lompala – I would like to help make professional, sustainable packaging accessible to small businesses. Today, many entrepreneurs have excellent products but can’t order certain packaging because of minimum order quantities or high costs.

I want to help create an ecosystem where a small business can get quality packaging without needing significant capital. I also want to encourage the development of more environmentally friendly solutions.

My ambition is to make MMB Packaging a company that supports African producers all the way from designing their packaging to reaching international markets.

Which packaging innovation or trend excites you the most?

Tendresse Lompala – I’m particularly interested in eco-friendly, recyclable and smart packaging. The integration of digital technologies is an exciting development, especially QR codes that give consumers access to product information.

I’m also interested in innovations that reduce the use of plastic while keeping food products safe and well preserved.

I’m convinced that the future of packaging rests on three pillars: innovation, accessibility and sustainability.

Who or what has inspired you in your career, and what is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from it?

Tendresse Lompala – My journey has been shaped by many entrepreneurs who managed to turn difficulties into opportunities. But my greatest the realities I face every day

Being an entrepreneur in the DRC takes a lot of courage, patience and perseverance. It taught me one fundamental lesson: you shouldn’t wait for all the conditions to be right before you start. Sometimes you have to start with the rey step. Every difficulty can become an opportunity to innovate

What advice would you give to the next generation of packaging professionals?

Tendresse Lompala – I would tell them never to underestimate the importance of their work. Packaging plays an essential role in product safety, preservation, marketing and environmental impact.

I would also advise them to be curious, to invest in their training and to always look for solutions to the problems consumers and businesses face.

To young Africans who want to start a business in this sector, I would say: don’t wait until you have all the rebuild your future gradually

What does being selected as a Future Leader mean to you?

Tendresse Lompala – Being selected as a Paris Packaging Week Future Leader means much more than personal recognition. It’s an immense

This selection shows that young African entrepreneurs have the ideas, skills and ambition to contribute to the evolution of the global packaging industry. It’s also a responsibility: to keep learning, innovating and inspiring other young people, especially women entrepreneurs.

I want to use this opportunity to build international partnerships, discover new technologies and help modernise the packaging sector in Africa.

My dream is to one day see more products made in the DRC on international supermarket shelves, in quality packaging designed and produced locally.