He made a name for himself with his impersonations of the public prosecutor and his punchlines, which went viral on social media. Today, Congolese comedian Ange Boueya 1er is no longer content with just making people laugh: he is also demanding a place for humour in the African cultural industry. Portrait of an artist who wants to professionalise laughter.
Congolese comedian Ange Boueya 1er has been making waves on social media for several months. His sketches blend satire, caricature, and legal comedy in a style uniquely his own. He frequently uses Lingala expressions such as “oyali mabeeeee” – meaning you are bad – or “loi ekolakisa yo”, meaning the law will hit you, which have become emblematic of his performances.
“I’m very happy to be on Africa24, thank you, but boyali mabé. My beginnings were very modest, because like all beginnings, you start from the bottom. We would sometimes perform improvised shows in schools, small emulations where at the end of the school year, students were chosen to make others laugh, including parents attending the school event. That’s how it started, and then we gradually grew. After the Bac exam, we arrived in Brazzaville, joined Brazza Comedy Show, took courses at the French Institute, trained in comedy, and today, by the grace of God, it’s going well.”
Ange Boueya 1er, Comedian – Congo
A former law student, he advocates for the creation of an African comedy industry where young talents can express themselves and make a living from their art. On 4 October 2025, he tested the “parquet du rire” in front of over 1,500 spectators at the Palais des Congrès in Brazzaville during a unique show. Its success has now fuelled continental ambitions, with an African tour in preparation.
“The upcoming projects are numerous. As an artist, I have already launched my production company, Premier Prod, which co-produced the show with Pemba Mabika at the Palais des Congrès. I want this company to grow. The project also includes taking the parquet du rire on tour across Africa. The ‘parquet du rire’ will travel everywhere, because in Africa we face problems and societal issues, and through comedy, this powerful tool, we want to expose, raise awareness, and above all, bring joy to the population.”Ange Boueya 1er, Comedian – Congo
Combining cultural engagement and legal humour, Ange Boueya 1er is establishing himself as one of the most creative faces of the new Congolese comedy scene. With his “parquet du rire”, he hopes to champion authentic African humour that is exportable and recognised beyond Congo’s borders.
