Son of the Congo - by Athanase Kadita Tshibaka (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Before one can reach a destination, one must begin the journey . . .

Athanase Tshibaka's world was torn apart at age three when his father died after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a grieving widow and five children. He was the youngest--and life, as he knew it, would never be the same.

In the heart of the Congo, where poverty raged and tribal conflict threatened to consume everything, A.T.'s future should have been defined by loss. But God was writing a different story.

From near expulsion as a truant student to earning top honors at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business, A.T.'s path defied every expectation. His journey unfolds through the shadows of bloody coup d'états, wrongful imprisonment, extortion, and boardroom intrigue--but also through the joys of love, fatherhood, career triumph, and unwavering faith.

Through it all, A.T. witnessed the quiet, miraculous hand of God--rescuing, redirecting, redeeming. His life became a testament to the truth that when we walk by faith, even the most broken roads can lead to divine destinations.

Son of the Congo is a sweeping, soul-stirring memoir spanning six continents and nearly eighty years. It's a story of hardship transformed into hope, despair into purpose, and survival into sacred calling. You'll come away inspired to believe again--that God is still in the business of turning ashes into beauty and the forgotten into the favored.

Review Quotes

Son of the Congo belongs on the desk of every corporate executive who wonders whether integrity, humility, and purpose can still thrive in today's competitive--and often cutthroat--corporate culture. A.T.'s life offers a compelling blueprint for how leaders can steward their platforms with character and conviction. His journey is a powerful reminder that true leadership is forged not only in boardrooms, but in the crucible of adversity. This book is a masterclass in leading with purpose and will inspire executives seeking to balance profit with principle.

--DIPAK RASTOGI, former group executive of Citigroup and CEO of Citi Venture Capital International at Citibank N.A.

Son of the Congo is a narrative of breathtaking scope. It is the story of a fatherless boy who, through a mother's fierce love and unimaginable sacrifice, escapes a destiny of poverty and obscurity. A.T.'s professional life reads like a thrilling saga set against the backdrop of a volatile Africa and a changing global banking landscape.

The most powerful thread woven through this entire tapestry is that of faith. This is not merely a story of a man who achieved worldly success; it is a narrative of a man relentlessly pursued by God.

--CAMILLE NTOTO, visionary and co-founder of Africa New Day/Un Jour Nouveau

Son of the Congo is an inspiring account of faith, resilience, and leadership. Kadita Tshibaka--whom we fondly call A.T.--takes us on a remarkable journey from his childhood in Congo, marked by loss, hardship, and political turmoil, to positions of global influence in Citigroup, Lloyds TSB, and international development.

As one of the first generation of African leaders to attain senior executive roles in global banking, A.T. not only carried Africa's hopes into the boardroom but also demonstrated that integrity and perseverance can overcome the most daunting obstacles. For me personally, A.T. was a mentor and trailblazer at Citigroup whose example helped open doors for the generations that followed. This memoir is more than a personal story; it is a testament to the power of faith and purpose to transform lives and shape legacies of service.

--ADE AYEYEMI, former group CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

Son of the Congo is more than a memoir. It is a testament to God's grace, to the resilience of the human spirit, and to a man whose life has been lived with purpose. I respected A.T. deeply when I first met him. After reading this book, I respect him even more. A remarkable story of perseverance, history, finance, and faith.

--BRENT MEKOSH, CEP and CFP of Mekosh Financial Services

Son of the Congo: A Journey of Tragedy, Triumph, and Transformation, is one of the most inspiring works I've come across in years.

Born into poverty, displaced by conflict, and raised in scarcity, A.T. could have become a footnote in history. Instead, his life became a testimony to faith, resilience, and unshakable passion.

What stands out to me is this: Passion is the common thread. It's what carried A.T. from hardship to hope. It's what fueled his decades-long career in finance and his service to others through microfinance. And it's what continues to drive him today as a mentor, leader, and author. Reading A.T.'s story reminded me again that passion is contagious. It inspires, it lifts, and it endures.

--KAREN ROBINSON COPE, managing director, Mara6, and former board member of Opportunity International

A.T. Tshibaka has lived a life that makes dramatic fiction seem boring by comparison. From the mighty rivers and forests of the Congo, through the sedate halls of Ivy League American institutions, to the high streets and gilded boardrooms of high finance, with detours to the seamy dungeons of volatile state actors, Tshibaka has delivered an autobiography of extraordinary authenticity, range and depth, woven together by family, love, belief, and the unmistakable guiding hand of the Divine. In parts, Son of Congo presents a lived perspective far richer, and nuanced than the journalistic reporting that has defined most narratives from that magnificent and storied country.

--CHINEDU IKWUDINMA, chief risk officer of Ecobank Transnational Inc., Lome, Togo

In Son of the Congo, Kadita Tshibaka finds God's grace in a journey through a hard and inspiring life. He traveled from Congolese tribal warfare to immigration to America, to an Ivy League education and a career in finance. Then he turned his energies to giving opportunities to the poor in Africa. In his life, love and faithfulness produce resilience and redemption. This inspiring story will make you more resilient too."

--DR. LARRY ARNN, president of Hillsdale College

The book you are about to read is fascinating. It unveils a truly exceptional life story, painting a vivid picture of resilience and steadfast integrity. Rising from humble beginnings in the Congo, A.T. from his very early years navigated a path through profound personal challenges, worked hard on his education, and ultimately managed to achieve a very distinguished career in international banking. His narrative is a powerful testament to principled leadership, showcasing an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct even when confronted with political turmoil, military coups, and immense corporate pressures. A.T.'s uniquely strong moral compass and devotion to God have guided him in his every decision.

Son of the Congo is a story that commands deep respect and provides a timeless example of true leadership. I hope you will find it as inspirational as I did.

--MR. ZDENEK TUREK, chief risk officer of Citigroup

Tracing A.T.'s gripping story from poverty to global leadership and from political persecution to Kingdom impact, Son of the Congo is a tour de force testament to God's unstoppable grace. If you're struggling with trusting God, read this book and believe.

--KEVIN SORBO, director and actor

About the Author

Athanase Kadita Tshibaka--known affectionately as A.T.--is a son of the Congo, a descendant of Bena Kadiamba chieftains, and a living testimony to the power of divine grace, resilience, and unwavering faith.

Born into hardship, displaced by conflict, and raised amid scarcity, A.T. could have become a footnote in history. Instead, God wrote a different story--one of ascent, service, and purpose. Over a distinguished four-decade career in international finance, he rose through the ranks of Citigroup, eventually overseeing Corporate Risk Management across 77 emerging markets. He later served in executive roles at Lloyds TSB in London and the U.S.

In 2008, answering a deeper call, A.T. brought his leadership to Opportunity International, a global Christian microfinance organization. There, as senior leader and interim CEO, he championed dignity, hope, and economic empowerment in some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

A trusted advisor and board member for corporate and nonprofit institutions alike--including as an IFC Nominee Director for Ecobank and currently Chair of the Audit Committee for Equity Banque Commerciale du Congo--A.T. continues to lead with integrity and a Kingdom-minded heart.

Educated at Dartmouth and the Tuck School of Business, he is a devoted husband to Priscilla Madlyn, proud father to Niki and Mara, and joyful grandfather of seven.

His journey is living proof that adversity can birth purpose, that ashes can bloom with grace, and that the most extraordinary endings often begin with broken beginnings--anchored always in an unwavering belief in God's faithfulness and providence.