Willy Mulamba: Rebuilding Trust and Accelerating Equity BCDC’s Transformation

Since his appointment as Managing Director of Equity BCDC in November 2024, Willy Mulamba has been leading a new phase of transformation for one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s major banking institutions. With more than 25 years of experience in finance, including 20 years in banking, he is bringing a clear focus to the role: rebuilding trust, strengthening internal capacity and aligning the bank more closely with the realities of the Congolese market.

A career shaped across the DRC, Europe and the United States

Willy Mulamba was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he completed his primary and secondary education. He later pursued university studies in Belgium, earning a master’s degree in economics, before continuing his training in the United States.

His professional journey began in the financial sector, where he worked for about ten years before returning to the DRC and joining Citibank Congo. There, he held several strategic positions, starting as treasurer before becoming Deputy Managing Director and later Managing Director of Citibank Congo.

After more than 17 years with the institution, he joined the Equity Group in February 2024 in Nairobi as a consultant in the office of the Group CEO, Dr James Mwangi. In November 2024, he was appointed Managing Director of Equity BCDC.

Rebuilding trust as a top priority

For Willy Mulamba, the first priority at Equity BCDC has been to restore trust. This means trust with clients, financial authorities and the broader banking ecosystem.

When he took office, relations with monetary authorities were complex. Together with his teams, he worked actively to improve the situation and rebuild a more constructive dialogue.

But trust is not built only through institutional engagement. It also requires direct contact with clients. This is why Equity BCDC’s leadership went into the field to meet customers in several cities and territories, including Kananga, Mbujimayi, Durba, Beni and Lubumbashi.

This approach helped the bank better understand local realities, client expectations and the practical needs of economic actors across the country.

A transformation rooted in the country’s realities

Equity BCDC’s transformation is not just an internal process. It is also an effort to connect the bank more closely with the realities of the DRC.

By engaging directly with clients across different regions, the bank is ensuring that its transformation is grounded in real economic and social conditions.

In a country as vast and diverse as the DRC, proximity to clients is a key driver of performance, innovation and credibility.

Aligning with Equity Group standards

Another major part of the transition has been the alignment of Equity BCDC with the standards of the broader Equity Group. This includes making better use of existing technological tools and ensuring that they are effectively integrated into the bank’s operations.

The goal is to optimize systems, improve efficiency and support the group’s long-term ambitions in the Congolese market.

However, technology alone is not enough. Willy Mulamba also emphasizes the human dimension of transformation. The bank has had to strengthen internal skills, recruit new talent and structure teams capable of managing tools and responsibilities effectively.

Clarifying responsibilities to improve execution

Successful banking transformation also depends on organizational clarity. At Equity BCDC, one of the key challenges has been to better define responsibilities both locally and within the broader institutional framework.

This clarification improves decision-making, strengthens coordination and increases operational efficiency.

In a fast-changing banking environment, this internal discipline is essential to respond effectively to client needs and regulatory expectations.

A vision focused on sustainable performance

Willy Mulamba’s leadership is based on a structured and progressive transformation agenda. His approach is built around three key pillars: trust, technology and talent.

By strengthening teams, modernizing tools and rebuilding dialogue with both clients and authorities, Equity BCDC is working to consolidate its position in the Congolese banking sector.

This momentum represents an important step not only for the bank, but also for the broader financial sector in the DRC, where trust, innovation and proximity remain essential foundations for sustainable growth

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