Bwanga Bangwa · Professor Emeritus PUL

Prof. Martin
Nkafu Nkemnkia

African Philosopher · Theologian · Founder of NCDEIF

Born on 11 November 1950 in Cameroon, bearer of the traditional title of Bwanga Bangwa — sacred and medicinal authority within the Bangwa territory — and the hereditary title of Nkem, head of family and notable of the Bangwa Kingdom. In 1969 he personally met Chiara Lubich at the inauguration of the Mary, Health of Africa Hospital in Fontem. He became the first Bangwa focolarino, building a unique bridge between African tradition, Christian thought and Western philosophy.

Pontifical Lateran University Focolare · Fontem 1969 Boston Global Forum Synod of Bishops · 1994–2010 Italian Geographical Society Vitalogy
Vitalogy → Institutional Roles
Professor Emeritus · PUL Rome
The Thought

Vitalogy

Vitalogy is the original philosophical system developed by Prof. Nkemnkia: an African philosophy that places life — vitality, growth, relationship, community — at the heart of every ethical, political and spiritual reflection. It is born from the encounter between the Bangwa cosmology, Christian thought and European academic philosophy, synthesizing three traditions in an original and universal framework.

"Life is not a given. It is a task. It is a responsibility towards those who come after."

— Prof. Martin Nkafu Nkemnkia, African Vitalogy: A Step Forward for African Thinking

Core Principle
Life as Supreme Value
Every human action must be judged by its contribution to the life of the community and of future generations.
Ethical Application
Vitalogical Governance
Political, economic and technological decisions must pass an ethical test based on vital KPIs: dignity, growth, diversity, critical thinking.
Global Dimension
Africa as a Laboratory
Africa can leapfrog Western dystopian models and build an ethical and sustainable model directly, as it did with M-Pesa.
Curriculum

Institutional Roles & Education

Pontifical Lateran University

Professor Emeritus

History of African Philosophy and Religion. Rome · Full career.

Synod of Bishops · Vatican

Translation Supervisor

Supervisor of Translators and Translations. 1994 – 2010.

Focolare Movement

First Bangwa Focolarino

Inter-religious Dialogue. Since 1969 · Consecrated.

Italian Geographical Society

Co-Chair CRA-SGI

Scientific Committee — Centre for Relations with Africa.

Boston Global Forum / AIWS

MoU Partner

AI World Society. MoU signed in the Vatican · 14 Nov 2023.

Gregorian University · Rome

Lecturer in African Philosophy

African Philosophy and Theology. Gregorian and Urbaniana Universities.

Works

Main Publications

2005
African Vitalogy: A Step Forward for African Thinking
Foundational work on Vitalogy. Paulines Publications Africa.
2014
African Thought: Resources and Challenges
Critical analysis of contemporary African philosophical thought. PUL Press, Rome.
2018
Vitalogy and Globalisation
How the African philosophy of life can respond to the challenges of globalisation.
various
Academic Articles and Essays
Contributions to international journals of African philosophy, theology and inter-religious dialogue. Member of the Scientific Committee of New Humanity — Focolare.
All Publications →
Contact

Academic & Institutional Enquiries

For academic collaborations, conferences, lectures and institutional enquiries, please contact the NCDEIF Foundation.

Registered Office

Via Carlo Fea 4
Rome 00100, Lazio, Italy

African Operational Office

Fontem, Lebialem Division
South West Region, Cameroon

Website

nkemnkia.org
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