Yves Bawa is the President and Co-Founder of Kumbuka Afrika and oversees the organisation in his role as CEO. Yves was previously Country Director of DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda for the US NGO, Pact, and the Regional Technical Director for all Pact’s mining sector projects in the region. Yves has been integral to the implementation of ITSCI since its inception, playing a key role in its roll-out and expansion, liaising with national governments and supporting local partners.
Nkulu Kankote is the Vice-President and the Chief Finance and Operations Officer of Kumbuka Afrika. Nkulu was previously the Finance, Operations and Grants Director for the US NGO, Pact, in the Great Lakes Region with more than 20 years of experience in finance, grant, admin, and operations management with bilateral and private sector donors, including international aid agencies, governments, foundations, and industry associations.
Vincent Songe is the Country Director of Kumbuka Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Previously, for over a decade, Vincent was the ITSCI Program Manager in the DRC for US NGO, Pact. A highly experienced program manager, trainer, and researcher, Vincent brings to the team more than 20 years of technical experiences focused on ASM, social development and agriculture. During his career, he has led the programmatic and financial management of a range of community development, humanitarian, and emergency activities in many of the most high-risk and conflict affected areas in Eastern DRC.
Ildephonse Niyonsaba is the Country Director of Kumbuka Afrika in Rwanda. Previously, as Project Manager for the US NGO, Pact, he executed a leadership role for ITSCI in Rwanda for over a decade, overseeing all project operations and ensuring engagement of key stakeholders in both private and public sectors, especially the Government of Rwanda and the Rwanda Minerals Board (RMB). Ildephonse has played a leadership role in building the capacity of stakeholders to achieve DDG compliance as part of the successful implementation of ITSCI.
Jean Baptiste is the Kumbuka Afrika Country Director in Burundi. Previously, Jean Baptiste was the ITSCI Country Manager in Burundi for US NGO, Pact. With more than 15 years of technical experience in ASM in the GLR, Jean Baptiste has focused specifically on the challenges of ASM in terms of DDG and responsible supply chains for the successful delivery of ITSCI. He is also widely experienced in other aspects of the ASM sector including management including exploration, water pollution, environmental impacts, Occupational Health and Safety, gender, governance, and market issues.