Jocelin Patrick Mandzela

Jocelin Patrick Mandzela (born 4 November 1992) is a Congolese public and political figure, entrepreneur who is the president of the international autonomous non-profit organization AfricaCentrum, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Congo in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region (Russia), Honorary President of the Gymnastics Federation of the Republic of Congo, Honorary President of the Judo Federation of the Republic of Congo, Honorary President of the Congolese Chess Association.

Early life

He was born November 4, 1992, in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2016, he graduated from the Technological Institute in Brazzaville, Congo, with a degree in commercial banking, accounting, and financial management. He speaks Russian, English, and French.

Career

Business

In 2014, Jocelin Patrick Mandzela co-founded DAMALA SARL in Brazzaville (Damala.fr), a company specializing in the import of food products and construction materials. Until 2018, Mandzela was responsible for the development of the company.

From 2018 to 2022, he served as Advisor to the General Director for Development at the Russian company OOO "ZHD TRANS", which specializes in the production and supply of spare parts and components for railway equipment.

Since September 2022, he has served as Advisor to the General Director for Development at Modern Rail Systems LLC, which develops and implements rail fastening technologies and track superstructure elements in the Russian market.

In 2022, he became an investor in Mayweather Boxing and Fitness, an international chain of fitness clubs and boxing studios founded by boxer Floyd Mayweather. Jocelyn-Patrick Mandzela made a significant contribution to the project's launch in the United Arab Emirates: he is responsible for business development and regional marketing, leveraging his experience in promoting new brands in international markets.

Consular and public activities

On August 25, 2022, he was appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Congo to the Russian Federation. He assumed his duties on April 15, 2023.

Based at the international autonomous non-profit organization, the African Center (AfricaCentrum) provides assistance in conducting state, official, and working visits from the Republic of the Congo to the CIS countries.

In July 2023, together with gastronomic expert Alexander Sysoev, organized the "Stars of Africa" gastronomic festival as part of the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg. The main idea of the project was to introduce the Russian public to the cultural heritage of the African continent through gastronomy.

In 2024, he participated in the Russian presidential elections as an international expert and observer.

In 2024, he participated in organizing the Republic of Congo national team's visit to the "Alina 2024" festival.

In August 2024, Mandzela announced growing interest in Russian education in Africa. He, in turn, is helping Russian universities promote their educational initiatives and programs in African countries.

On February 28, 2025, Jocelin Patrick Mandzela was appointed Honorary President of the Gymnastics Federation of the Republic of Congo. This appointment was made in connection with his participation in organizing an internship for young Congolese gymnasts in Sochi. The main goal of the project was to improve the athletes' level of training and their competitiveness on the international stage. In an interview with Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, Jocelyn-Patrick Mandzela stated: "My future actions will be aimed at inspiring young athletes from the Republic of Congo to work even harder, develop their abilities, and become competitive on the international stage."

In March 2025, he was appointed Honorary President of the Congolese Federation of Judo and Related Disciplines in recognition of his contribution to youth and sports development in the Republic of the Congo. That same month, with the support of Patrick Mandzela and his international autonomous non-profit organization, AfricaCentrum, a two-week internship was organized for the Republic of the Congo's national judo and sambo teams at Russian training centers in Sochi and Armavir. The internship took place ahead of international competitions in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea, as well as the African School Games in Algeria, where the Congolese athletes won two bronze medals.

In March 2025, Mandzela spoke of the need to raise the level of Congolese gymnasts on the international stage.

In May 2025, he participated in the 13th Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, organized by the Russian Security Council, where he presented the international autonomous non-profit organization "Africa Center" (AfricaCentrum) and outlined the key areas of its work. According to the center's head, such presentations are part of a systematic effort to build a meaningful dialogue based on mutual respect.

In May 2025, the African Center (AfricaCentrum) facilitated the participation of athletes from the Republic of the Congo in the "Strike to Power" tournament.

In August 2025, the African Center (AfricaCentrum) facilitated the participation of a Congolese student from Bashkortostan in the World Mas-Wrestling Championship.

Recognition

• Letter of gratitude from Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Yury Ushakov for his active participation in the preparation and conduct of events during the Second Russia-Africa Summit, 2023.
• Gratitude for cooperation during the Second Russia-Africa Summit, as well as for his personal contribution to the development of relations between St. Petersburg and the Republic of the Congo, from St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Dmitrievich Beglov, 2023.
• Honorary Badge of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, 2024.
• Medal of the Security Council of the Russian Federation for services in strengthening information security, 2025.