Honoring the Life of Dikembe Mutombo
At Opportunity International, we believe that an end to poverty can be achieved within our lifetime—but that dream is only achievable if great leaders choose courage and generosity over all else. Dikembe Mutombo is one of those leaders.
Today, we join the world in mourning and reflection for the incredible legacy of a man who transformed millions of lives. A longtime friend of former Opportunity International CEO AT Tsibaka and member of Opportunity’s Board of Advisors, Dikembe’s passion and personal mission to expand opportunity for his home country directly contributed to our presence in the DRC today.
Long before his legendary NBA career, Dikembe was deeply familiar with the challenges of life in Kinshasa, where he lived a life similar to the people we serve every day—selling bread, soda, and cheese in local markets to support himself and pay for his education. These early experiences shaped his resolve to give back and create a better future for others.
In 2007, Dikembe founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which broadened his impact on the world and deepened his commitment to his home country. Through his foundation, Dikembe built hospitals, schools, and economic opportunity for his fellow Congolese. His influence in the DRC was pivotal in the establishment of our first microfinance bank in Kinshasa, just a few hundred meters from the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named in honor of Dikembe’s mother.
It’s no coincidence that these two institutions were neighbors. Dikembe knew that health, economic empowerment, and financial inclusion are fundamentally interconnected. He understood that by providing access to these critical resources, we could transform not just individuals, but entire communities.
Upon the opening of Opportunity Bank DRC, Dikembe captured the essence of our partnership. “Opportunity International gives the people of Africa hope,” Dikembe said. “As a Congolese native, I am proud to see Opportunity International’s dream of bringing a bank to the DRC become a reality and a source of hope for the working poor.”
Since 2011, our efforts have released over $82 million in capital for smallholder farmers, teachers, school proprietors, and microbusiness owners—impacting the lives of over 110,000 Congolese families and half a million children. This extraordinary impact would not have been possible without Dikembe’s vision and heart.
He was, and will always be, a true champion for the poor—a man who devoted his life to lifting up those who are too often left behind.
“To eradicate poverty, we all need to do our part,” he once said. “I believe that microfinance banking and access to savings accounts is the only way that Africa will emerge from poverty.”
We honor Dikembe’s legacy and his profound love for his country. May his memory be a blessing, and may his dream of an Africa free from poverty inspire us all to continue his work.