Jacques Masangu, originating from Katanga, attended the Solvay Institute of the Université Libre de Bruxelles where he graduated in sociology and diplomatic law in 1960.

[3] On 11 July 1960, Katangese provincial president Moïse Tshombe declared the mineral-rich province independent as the State of Katanga.

Masangu and his Paris-based colleague Dominique Diur convened in Milan with Joseph Iléo, Mario Cardoso, and Julien Kasongo, representatives of the central government, to obtain Tshombe's and Kimba's release.

[9] Back at the service of the Léopoldville government, Masangu moved to Washington, D.C. as a Minister Counselor for Congo, where he only stayed for two months.

[10] In 1963, Masangu was appointed as a Deputy Prime Minister charged with social affairs in the government of Cyrille Adoula and, in that capacity, attended the State funeral of John F. Kennedy.

His Chef de Cabinet, Oscar Mudiay, was later appointed by the Léopoldville government as a special commissioner charged with the installation of institutions in Northern Katanga.

[15] During his time in Italy, Congolese President Mobutu Sese Seko appointed him as the chairman of the board of directors of Air Congo.

[23] Furthermore, the brother of Jacques Masangu's spouse, Roger Kabulo, was the Chef de Cabinet of Balubakat politician Jason Sendwe.