HR Excellence Spotlight: Burundi's Best

HR Excellence Spotlight is our flagship digital publication, highlighting the top 25 HR professionals in every African country.

Celebrating leaders who are driving change

This recognition celebrates leaders who are driving change, setting standards, and inspiring the next generation of HR talent.

Each edition of HR Excellence Spotlight not only celebrates excellence but also fosters dialogue and knowledge sharing among HR leaders through the HR Excellence mindset video series, making it a must-read for those passionate about HR's evolving role in Africa. Read on to explore the leadership mindsets that sets the best HR leaders apart.

Recognizing Burundi's Best:

Sandrine Iyamuremye

Director of Human Capital Department Burundi Interbank

Sandrine Iyamuremye has been the Director of Interbank Burundi's Human Capital Department since March 2020. She focuses on enhancing talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies while aligning HR initiatives with the bank's strategic goals.

Previously, she was the Regional Human Resources Business Partner at the International Rice Research Institute, managing HR policies across East Africa. She was an HR Officer at Catholic Relief Services, overseeing talent acquisition and workforce development.
Sandrine holds a degree in Administration and Management from Université Lumière de Bujumbura and an HRM certification from the Global University of Science and Technology, demonstrating her commitment to effective human capital management.

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Fleurette Nimubona

Country Head of HR Ecobank

Fleurette Nimubona is an accomplished HR leader with over a decade of experience in human resources management across top Burundi organisations. She serves as the Country Head of HR at Ecobank Burundi, where she has led the development and implementation of HR strategies, policies, and compliance frameworks since March 2022.
Previously, Fleurette was Head of HR and Administration at Finbank Burundi, where she contributed to talent acquisition, employee engagement, and HR policy design from 2020 to 2022. She also served as an HR Business Partner at Brasserie Limonaderie du Burundi (BRARUDI), where she managed HR services for the leadership team and improved HR service quality for the head office.
Fleurette holds an MBA from the United States International University - Africa and is recognised for her expertise in performance appraisal, organisational development, leadership development, talent management, and compliance with employment standards.

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Eman D.

HR Manager Sogea-Satom

Eman D is an experienced HR professional and business development specialist, currently serving as HR Manager at Sogea-Satom in Burundi since 2019. With a focus on strategic HR management and development, Eman brings over five years of expertise. Additionally, Eman has been a Business Development Specialist with BD Consulting in Addis Ababa since 2018, enhancing growth strategies and client relations.
Previously, Eman held HR and finance administration positions across organisations in Kenya and the UK, including roles as a Human Resource Officer at Dich Trading in Nairobi and Assistant Finance Administrator and Marketing Officer in London. Eman holds a postgraduate diploma in international human resource management from Kingston University and a foundational background in commerce from the London School of Commerce.

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Desire Barenzi

Human Resources Director, The HEINEKEN Company

Kennedy Pomerayi is an accomplished human resources executive with over 12 years of experience at Delta Beverages Pvt Ltd, where he has been instrumental in driving HR strategies that support organisational growth and employee engagement.  
 

As an HR Executive, Kennedy has overseen talent management, performance improvement, and workforce planning, contributing significantly to the company’s success. His long-standing commitment to HR excellence has made him a key leader in fostering an inclusive, productive work environment aligned with Delta Beverages’ strategic goals. 

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Jean Marie Baranyizigiye

Human Resources Associate World Food Programme

Jean Marie Baranyizigiye is an accomplished human resources professional with over 15 years of experience in the humanitarian sector, focused on workforce development, strategic HR management, and emergency response. Currently a Human Resources Associate with the World Food Programme in Burundi, he has played a crucial role in enhancing recruitment processes, onboarding, and talent development, reducing time-to-hire by 80% and raising retention rates by 15% annually. Jean Marie previously served as HR Manager at World Vision, where he optimised HR information systems, managed high-risk cases with a 100% resolution rate, and developed a compensation and benefits strategy that improved employee retention by 20%.
Before specialising in HR, he supported community development with roles such as Community Development Specialist at Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services International, focusing on conflict resolution and poverty reduction initiatives. Jean Marie holds a Master’s degree in Leadership and Organisational Management from Université Lumière de Bujumbura, where his research examined the socio-economic impacts of NGO interventions in rural Burundi. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Institute of Social Work in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

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Imanishimwe Marina

HR Business Partner (HRBP) for Supply Chain at Brasseries et Limonaderies du Burundi (Brarudi SA)

Imanishimwe Marina is an accomplished HR professional with a diverse background in human resources, law, and social work. She currently serves as the HR Business Partner (HRBP) for Supply Chain at Brasseries et Limonaderies du Burundi (Brarudi SA), having previously held the position of HRBP for Support and Commerce. Starting with Brarudi as a Management Trainee in 2021, she quickly progressed to her current leadership roles.
Before joining Brarudi, Imanishimwe was a fellow in the AU-UNDP Young African Women Leaders Program in Togo, where she focused on empowering young women in leadership. She also gained international experience as an intern with LANDESA in Beijing, China, and served as an Assistant Magistrate at the Court of First Instance in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Imanishimwe holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, specializing in Women’s Leadership, from China Women’s University, where she was active in women empowerment initiatives. She also earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Cavendish University. Her unique combination of HR expertise, legal knowledge, and dedication to gender empowerment equips her with a holistic approach to workplace development and employee engagement.

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Mr. Alexandre Sindayigaya

Head of Operations Diamond Trust Bank

Mr. Alexandre joined Diamond Trust Bank Burundi in 2009 as Head of Operations. With over thirty-five years of experience in the banking industry, he is currently Head of Business Development. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law and is a director of Jubilee Insurance Company of Burundi. Prior to joining the bank, Mr. Alexandre was Deputy Head of Business Development in Banque de Crédit de Bujumbura.
Bachelor’s in Law from the University of Burundi and is pursuing a Master’s in Human Resource Management from IU International University of Applied Sciences.

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Mr. Icare Gafurero

Director of Banking Operations

He joined the Bank in March 2013 as Senior Manager in charge of operations and control. In 2018, he was promoted to Head of Risk and Compliance Department of CRDB Bank Burundi SA. Before joining CRDB Bank, he worked at Finbank SA, a subsidiary of Access Bank Plc (Nigeria), from 2010 to 2013 where he worked as Internal Control and Compliance Officer and Head of Human Resources. He holds a Professional Banking Diploma - Institut des Techniques Bancaires (ITB) and a BA in International Business Administration from the United States International University - Africa (Kenya).

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Japheth ACHOLA

Group Human Resource Director KCB

Japheth was appointed the Group Human Resource Director, KCB Group PLC on July 8, 2019. He has over 19 years’ of work experience spanning executive and key roles including Africa Regional HR Director (Allianz Africa), Group HR Business Manager – Operations and Technology and Head of HR eProcess International (Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Accra-Ghana), Head of HR Operations & Employee Shared Services (Safaricom Ltd), West & Central Africa Human Resource Head (Citibank N.A Ltd, Dakar, Senegal), Senior Division Human Resource Generalist- Sub Sahara Africa Division (Citibank N.A Ltd, Johannesburg, South Africa), Acting Country Human Resource Officer (CHRO) - Citibank Tanzania (Citibank N.A Ltd, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania) and Compensation and Benefits Manager – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (Citibank N.A Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya).
Japheth holds a Master’s degree of Science (Human Resource Management & Training) from University of Leicester – London, UK; Post Graduate Certificate (Human Resource Management) from university of Wales – London, UK and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed. Science) from Kenyatta university – Nairobi, Kenya.

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Kaneza Laurette

Human Resources Manager/ICAP at Columbia University

Kaneza Laurette is a seasoned HR professional with expertise in recruitment, employee relations, and strategic HR management. She is currently the Human Resources Manager at ICAP at Columbia University in Burundi, where she oversees policy development, recruitment, and employee engagement. Previously, she served as HR Business Partner for East African countries at the International Rice Research Institute, leading HR policy implementation and development initiatives. Kaneza holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counseling, bringing a strategic and people-focused approach to her work.

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Alice Kanyange

Human Resources and Administration Director at Turame Community Finance S.A

Alice Kanyange is an accomplished HR and administrative leader with over a decade of experience in human resource management and organisational operations. She currently serves as the Human Resources and Administration Director at Turame Community Finance S.A, overseeing HR strategy, policy development, and administrative management.
Previously, Alice held roles as a human resources manager at Turame Community Finance S.A. and a human resources officer at World Vision Burundi, where she contributed to talent management and HRIS implementation. Her career also includes administrative roles at BlueSquare.org and A&C Trading.
Alice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economic and Administrative Sciences from the University of Burundi, bringing a strategic and people-focused approach to her work.

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Alice Nsengiyumva

Human Resources and Administration Coordinator Oxfam

Alice Nsengiyumva is a seasoned HR and Administration expert with extensive experience across international organisations, including Oxfam, Food for the Hungry, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). She designs HR strategies, fosters organisational growth, and ensures compliance in diverse, high-risk environments.

Alice is certified in Hostile Environment Awareness and is committed to building inclusive, high-performing teams that thrive even in challenging contexts.

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Angelo Nahimana

Country Head of Human Resources, KCB Bank Burundi LTD

Angelo Nahimana is an accomplished HR leader with over a decade of experience across banking, international NGOs, and the private sector in Burundi. Since 2020, he has served as the Country Head of Human Resources at KCB Bank Burundi LTD, driving workforce planning, talent management, and compliance.
Previously, Angelo held HR leadership roles at Ecobank Burundi, Population Services International (PSI), and Global Port Services Burundi, where he excelled in recruitment, performance management, and organisational development. Known for his strategic vision and cultural awareness, Angelo is committed to fostering talent and promoting organisational excellence.

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Irakoze Inès

Head HR and Communication Auxfin Burundi

Irakoze Inès is an experienced professional with expertise in HR management and communications spanning over five years. As the HR and Communication Manager at Auxfin Burundi since April 2022, Inès oversees HR strategies and communication initiatives. Prior to this, she worked as a Communication Officer at the same organisation, strengthening internal and external communications.
Her previous roles include HR Business Partner at Econet Wireless Burundi and Front Office Assistant at Deloitte. Inès holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences with a specialisation in Communication for Development from Université Lumière de Bujumbura. She is passionate about driving organisational success through effective communication and HR practices.

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Melchiade Basabose

Procurement and HR Specialist Chemonics International

Melchiade Basabose is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in procurement, human resources, and administration. As the Procurement and HR Specialist at Chemonics International since March 2023, Melchiade has played key roles within the organisation, including as an Activity and Administrative Coordinator.
Prior to this, Melchiade worked with renowned organisations such as the World Food Programme as a Business Operation Strategy Assistant, the European Union Delegation to Burundi in administrative roles, and UNFPA as a Logistics Consultant. Earlier in his career, he held positions at the Lake Tanganyika Authority and RBP+, focusing on administration and finance.
Melchiade holds a Master’s degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid from Kalu Institute and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Administrative Sciences from the University of Burundi. He is highly skilled in optimising operations, resource management, and supporting organisational goals.

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Joel Kabuzoya

HR Business Partner Econet

Joel Kabuzoya is an accomplished HR professional with a diverse human resources, public relations, and operations management background. He currently serves as the HR Business Partner at Econet Wireless Burundi SA, where he focuses on fostering workplace equality, enhancing employee relations, and driving organisational culture initiatives.
Before joining Econet, Joel worked as the Human Resources Manager at Groupe ESB Energie Services Burundi, leading HR strategies for over three years. His prior roles included public relations and operations manager at ACCESS Burundi and operations manager at Augustine Tours, where he managed budgets, administrative tasks, and external communications. Earlier, he served as a Field Team Leader for Augustine Tours Ltd, collaborating with the United States Marine Corps on logistical planning.
Joel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management and Business Administration from LIGHT University of Bujumbura. His expertise spans strategic HR management, operational efficiency, and building strong stakeholder relationships.

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Audrey Igiraneza

Snr HR Assistant at UNHCR Burundi

Audrey Igiraneza is a skilled HR professional with over five years of experience at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. She currently serves as a Senior HR Assistant, a role she has held since August 2021, supporting human resources functions in Bujumbura, Burundi. Audrey previously worked as an HR Assistant at the same organisation from 2019 to 2021, contributing to recruitment, employee support, and HR operations.

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Jean-Bosco Bigirimana

Senior People and Culture Business Partner

Jean-Bosco Bigirimana is an experienced HR and communications professional. He currently serves as a Senior People and Culture Business Partner at World Vision International Burundi, a position he assumed in February 2024. Previously, he worked at Village Health Works, where he held dual roles as Human Resources Manager and Coordinator of Communications and Public Relations from 2022 to 2024. Jean-Bosco holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from Université Lumière de Bujumbura.

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Valère NDAYIZEYE

Human Resources Business Partner Unicef

Valère Ndayizeye is an accomplished HR professional with over a decade of experience across international organizations. He is currently a Human Resources Officer at UNICEF, a role he has held since July 2022. Before this, he served as a People and Culture Business Partner at World Vision and held leadership roles at the Office Burundais des Recettes and the International Rescue Committee. Valère holds an MBA with a double major in Human Resources Management and Project Management from International Leadership University and a Licentiate degree in Business Administration from Université du Burundi.

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Audrey Akimana

Human Resources Coordinator Amazi Water

Audrey Akimana is a dynamic professional with a strong human resources, customer care, and education background. She is currently a Human Resources Coordinator at Amazi Water, a role she assumed in June 2024. Previously, she served in HR and personal development at Brarudi S.A. and worked as a Customer Care Officer at Neza Lab Technologies. Audrey also has extensive experience in education, having been a Young Learners Coordinator at My Ivy Mentors and a Lead Teacher at Haishu District Learning Center in China.
Audrey holds a Master's in Public Administration from Zhejiang Normal University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ningbo University, both in China. Her diverse expertise includes HR management, employee development, and organisational coordination.

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Erika Kantabaze

Country People & Talent Manager Enabel

Erika Kantabaze is an accomplished HR professional with over eight years of experience in talent management, compensation, and HR operations. She is currently the Country People & Talent Manager at Enabel, a position she assumed in October 2024. Before this, Erika spent more than eight years at Brarudi S.A., where she held various roles, including Human Resources Business Partner, Compensation Benefits Manager, Payroll Manager, and HR Management Trainee, demonstrating her growth and expertise within the organisation.
She also gained experience as an HR Assistant at OIM - ONU Migration early in her career. Erika is skilled in employee relations, payroll management, and strategic HR initiatives, making her a valuable leader in the HR field.

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Armel Bigiramigabo

Human Resources Manager, TechnoServe

Armel Bigiramigabo is a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of diverse experience spanning human resources, communications, and project management. He is the Human Resources Manager at TechnoServe, overseeing HR operations, including compliance, recruitment, payroll, and staff development. Before this, he contributed as a Human Resources Consultant at TechnoServe, enhancing personnel management tools and recruitment frameworks.
Armel has held key HR roles at FHI 360, including Senior Human Resources Officer, where he managed HR policies, contracts, benefits, and compliance. At Population Services International (PSI), he revamped performance review systems and managed payroll. Earlier in his career, he worked in communications as a Communication Assistant at PSI and a Program Coordinator at Menya Media.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences from Université Lumière de Bujumbura and is skilled in HR management, employee relations, and strategic planning.

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Frank Olivier Masumbuko

Acting Human Resources Manager at Global Port Services Burundi

Frank Olivier Masumbuko is an experienced professional with over a decade of expertise in human resources, procurement, and marketing. He has been the Acting Human Resources Manager at Global Port Services Burundi since January 2022, where he oversees HR operations and strategic personnel management.
Previously, Frank served as a Human Resources Officer for nearly eight years, managing employee relations and HR processes. His earlier roles include Procurement and Stock Management Officer, where he optimised inventory systems, and Marketing Agent, focusing on client engagement and promotional strategies.
Frank holds a Licence in Law from Université Sagesse d'Afrique and a Diplôme des Candidatures in Law from Université du Lac Tanganyika. His academic foundation in law complements his versatile career in HR and operational management.

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Donavine Kamikazi

Human Resources Director Liquids sprl

Donavine Kamikazi is a seasoned human resources professional with over 15 years of experience in HR management and administration. She has been the Human Resources Director at Liquids sprl since May 2019, where she leads strategic HR initiatives and oversees employee management.
Donavine's career includes international experience with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) France as an expatriate HR specialist in Jordan and as an HR and Administrative Officer at Oxfam Novib, where she managed HR policies and organisational administration. Before these roles, she worked with HealthNet TPO for over a decade, progressing from Executive Assistant to HR and Administrative Officer, gaining deep expertise in team coordination and policy development.
She holds an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from the International Leadership University (ILU), equipping her with advanced leadership and organisational skills. Donavine is recognised for her strategic HR approach and ability to foster productive workplace environments.

 

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Théogène Ndayishimye

Head Human Resources Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB)

Théogène Ndayishimye is an accomplished HR professional with over a decade of experience in HR leadership, public administration, and education. He is the Head of Human Resources at the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB), where he has led HR strategy and policy implementation since 2017.
Previously, Théogène held roles as HR Department Manager at BRB, HR Supervisor at the Gitega Provincial Health Office, and Administrative and Financial Manager at the Muyinga Provincial Health Office. He also has teaching experience at the Polytechnic University of Gitega and Lycée de Rugari.
He holds an MBA in HR Management from CESAG, Senegal, and a Bachelor’s in Political Economy from the University of Burundi.

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