Bruno Jean Richard Itoua was appointed Minister of Hydrocarbons on May 15, 2021, following an extensive ministerial career. He previously served as Minister of Higher Education (April 30, 2016), Minister of Scientific Research (December 12, 2011), Minister of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation (September 25, 2012), and Minister of Energy and Water Resources (January 21, 2005), after leading the National Petroleum Company of Congo (SNPC) for seven years.

A Member of Parliament for the 1st Constituency of Ollombo since June 24, 2007, Mr. Itoua was born on October 6, 1956, in Pointe-Noire. He is married and the father of six children.

A graduate of Marien Ngouabi University in Brazzaville with a degree in Applied Mathematics, Mr. Itoua also holds engineering diplomas in Mechanical-Electrical Engineering from ESTP Paris, in Reservoir Development and Production from ENSPM (IFP School) in Rueil-Malmaison, France, and an MBA/DESS in Business Administration from CIAE, Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris.

He began his professional career in 1984 at the National Electricity Company (SNE) as an engineer, later becoming Head of Technical Control. He joined Elf Congo in 1985 and held several key technical and managerial roles:

1985–1987: Head of Statistical Methods – Production
1987–1988: Assistant Sector Head – Production
1988–1992: Deputy Sector Head – Production
1992–1993: Tchendo Project Manager
1993–1995: Sector Head – Production
1995–1997: Head of Methods Service – Operations Division
From 1999 to 2005, he served as Advisor to the President of the Republic for Hydrocarbons, Mines, Energy, and Water Resources.

A visionary leader and strategic thinker, Mr. Itoua founded and served as the President and CEO of SNPC from its creation in 1998 until 2005. Under his leadership, SNPC became a cornerstone of the Congolese economy.

In parallel, he held numerous high-level positions, including:

Secretary General of the Deposit and Guarantee Fund
Director General of CORAF
Chairman of the Boards of SNE, SNDE, INTEL’S CONGO, and several SNPC subsidiaries
Member of multiple boards, including SOCOTRAM
Mr. Itoua has received several distinctions, such as:

African Manager of the Year (2000), awarded by CIMA
WQC Gold Category Award (World Quality Commitment)
African Management Award (2005)
He was also decorated as a Grand Officer of the Congolese Order of Merit for his outstanding service to the nation.

From May 2007 to November 2009, he served as President of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and was subsequently elected Chair of the Governing Council of the African Water Facility (AWF). He simultaneously chaired the Council of Ministers of CICOS (International Commission of the Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin) until January 12, 2012.

As Minister of Energy and Water Resources, he worked to implement national strategies for sustainable access to electricity and clean water.

From 2011 to 2016, as Minister of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation, he aimed to reposition the ministry as a key driver of Congo’s path toward emergence.

In 2016, upon becoming Minister of Higher Education, his focus shifted to elevating academic standards, aligning training with labor market needs, and advancing Congolese universities through digital transformation, in line with the President’s vision.

He was awarded the title of Commander of the International Order of Academic Palms by CAMES on November 10, 2020.

Beyond government, Mr. Itoua was elected President of the Congolese Basketball Federation in November 2016.

Currently, as Minister of Hydrocarbons, his mission is to boost oil and gas production, promote a favorable investment climate through new petroleum regulations, and strengthen local human capital within the sector.