Oscar Nkolo Kanowa C.I.C.M. (born 8 September 1957) is a Congolese Catholic prelate who is the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mweka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 18 February 2017. Before that, from 19 July 1987 until he was appointed bishop, he was a priest of the Order of Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was appointed bishop on 18 February 2017 by Pope Francis. He was consecrated as bishop on 28 May 2017.
He was born on 8 September 1957 in Mbuji-Mayi, Kasai-Oriental, DRC. He attended elementary school in Kamilabi-Kananga. He then studied at the Minor Seminary in Kabwe, for his secondary school education. He studied Philosophy at the Interdiocesan Major Seminary of Kasai-Kabwe. He entered the novitiate of the CICM Missionaries in Mbudi, Kinshasa in 1981. From 1998 until 1999 he studied as formator at the Saint Louis University in the United States.
He professed as a member of the Order of Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) in September 1982. He took his perpetual vows as a member of that Order in September 1986. He was ordained a priest of the same religious Order on 19 July 1987. He served as a priest until 18 February 2017.
While a priest, he served in various roles including as:
On 18 February 2017, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Mweka in the Democratic Republic of Congo, presented by Bishop Gérard Mulumba Kalemba. The Holy Father appointed Reverent Father Oscar Nkolo Kanowa, C.I.C.M. as the new Local Ordinary of the diocese of Mweka. He was consecrated and installed at Mweka on 28 May 2017 by the hands of Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbishop of Kinshasa assisted by Archbishop , Archbishop of Kananga and Bishop , Bishop of Boma. He continues to serve as the bishop of Mweka Diocese as of 2022.