Our Team
NFI’s multidisciplinary team blends leadership, agronomy, production logistics, monitoring & evaluation, business development and finance to deliver field impact.
Guillain Nabahya
Board Chair-Director
Certified from the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, Guillain Nabahya is a Specialist in Project Planning and Management. He is a researcher in renewable clean energy and sustainable food systems that increase agricultural yields while avoiding air pollution,
deforestation and climate change. He has proven experience in the execution of Development projects. After 10 years of extensive experience working in Conflicts and post-conflict settings as CEO of Teachers Corporation DRC, Board Advisor at AfriShiners Network, International Project Coordinator at the Sunshine African Foundation, Guillain initiated, in 2020 the Nabahya Food Institute (NFI) to bring local farmers work in cooperatives, mitigating the cycle of poverty, starvation and climate change. NFI promotes access to clean Energy and Resilient Food Systems
with a commitment to tackling the dual challenge of increasing food production and protecting natural resources and the environment. Under Guillain’s strong leadership, Nabahya Food Institute has gained national and international recognition for its innovation in food security, clean energy, and sustainability, winning the WE4F Grand Challenge, the TerraFund for AFR100, and the Food Planet Prize (Top 48 globally), being a finalist in the Humanitarian Grand Challenge,
ranked among the top 5 globally in food security for locally-led adaptation by the Global Center on Adaptation, securing investment partnership with Griot Ltd, and being appointed the DRC Hub for Passion of Hope International.
Aimable SHUKURU
Executive Director
Aimable is a dynamic leader and development practitioner with a Master's degree in Management, specializing in entrepreneurship, finance, and project management with a strong focus on food security, livelihoods, and the socio-economic reintegration of vulnerable
communities. With over six years of experience in research and capacity building, Aimable currently serves as the Executive Director of the Nabahya Food Institute (NFI), an organization at
the forefront of agroecology and rural entrepreneurship in Eastern DRC. Previously, he served as an Assistant Lecturer at the Official University of Bukavu (UOB) and a researcher at CERPRU/ISDR
and as a Research and Evaluation Associate with IES Congo. His work has primarily been focused on post-conflict and fragile settings across Eastern DRC. Aimable brings deep expertise in designing and delivering gender- and conflict-sensitive training programs, incubating youth-led businesses, and strengthening local systems for inclusive development. His work is marked by a commitment to sustainability, equity, and transformative impact.
Portas MILANO
Program Support Officer
Portas Milano is an experienced Agricultural Engineer with over 10 years of expertise in the implementation, management, and monitoring of projects in the fields of food security, agricultural recovery, community development, and environmental protection. He has worked
with both national and international organizations operating in conflict-affected settings, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Throughout his career, Portas has led and supported initiatives aimed at strengthening local food systems, promoting sustainable
agricultural practices, and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities. His strong technical background is Complemented by a deep understanding of community engagement and
post-crisis recovery. As Program Support Officer at the Nabahya Food Institute, Portas brings his rich field experience and commitment to inclusive development to help design and scale agroecological solutions that empower smallholder farmers and restore degraded ecosystems.
MUDAGE MASHUPE
Logistician
With over 15 years of experience in humanitarian and development sectors, he is a results-driven professional recognized for his leadership in logistics, food security, agricultural recovery, agroforestry, and community empowerment. His work also extends to governance, peacebuilding, and the protection of women’s and children’s rights.
He has collaborated with leading international and local organizations, including AVSI/ECHO, BDR/ZOA Netherlands, CEPDE/NED, and CIBEC/IRC, where he strengthened expertise in strategic stock management, operational planning, project monitoring, and team capacity building.
In his current role as Logistics and Production Officer at the Nabahya Food Institute (NFI), he combines technical proficiency with a deep commitment to social impact, driving innovative and sustainable solutions that improve livelihoods and foster resilient communities.
Florence MUFARIJI
MEL Officer
Mrs. Florence MUFARIJI serves as the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer at
Nabahya Food Institute. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation and brings
over 15 years of experience working with national and international humanitarian organizations.
Florence is a senior specialist in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL),
with deep expertise in designing monitoring tools, tracking development project activities, and
ensuring evidence-based decision-making through robust data collection, analysis, and
interpretation. Her technical strengths include the development of results-oriented MEL systems,
data analysis matrices, and evaluation frameworks tailored to fragile contexts. Throughout her
career, Florence has contributed significantly to project development and management, as well
as the formulation of strategic policies for humanitarian organizations. She has played a critical
role in enhancing accountability mechanisms and promoting adaptive learning across programs.
Her work is defined by a strong commitment to results, community impact, and continuous
learning to strengthen the effectiveness of development initiatives.
Joab BIGABA BONANE
Program Assistant
Joab Bigaba Bonane is the Program Assistant at Nabahya Food Institute, bringing over 8 years of hands-on experience in rural development and agri-business across Central and East Africa. Prior to joining NFI, Joab worked with AGRA/PASA DRC and Alika Ltd, where he played a pivotal role in incubating rural SMEs, structuring farmer organizations, and reinforcing local agricultural value
chains. Throughout his career, he has supported more than 100 cooperatives and rural micro enterprises through training, access to finance, agroecological practices, and local entrepreneurship development. He has strong expertise in project design, resource mobilization, climate-resilient agriculture, and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships in fragile and post
conflict settings. Joab is highly skilled in participatory methods, Farmer Field Schools (FFS), MEAL tools, and community governance frameworks. His strength lies in developing context-relevant
training modules, coordinating logistics, and supporting the formalization of rural groups. He is known for his reliability, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to inclusive rural growth, accountability, and sustainable local leadership.
Gustave ELOCO LULONGA
Finance Officer
Gustave ELOCO serves as the Finance Officer at Nabahya Food Institute, where he oversees budget management, financial compliance, and reporting. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management and brings more than 15 years of experience in financial leadership roles
within both national and international organizations, including TEARFUND and World Vision.
Throughout his career, Gustave has demonstrated a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and efficient resource allocation in support of programs that serve vulnerable and
marginalized communities. He excels in budgeting, grant management, donor reporting, internal controls, and financial risk mitigation, ensuring that programs meet both regulatory requirements and community impact goals. Driven by a passion for sustainable development,
Gustave leverages his financial expertise to strengthen the operational backbone of development and humanitarian initiatives. His work plays a critical role in enabling Nabahya Food Institute to deliver its mission effectively and responsibly in challenging environments.
ROMALIQUE KALIYO MADOGO
Admin and Human Resources Officer
Romalique serves as the Admin and Human Resources Officer at Nabahya Food Institute, where he ensures effective administrative operations and human capital management. He holds a
Bachelor’s degree in Public Law and is a trained lawyer and legal advisor, with over 5 years of experience in human resources management and legal advisory roles within both national and international organizations. Romalique brings a unique blend of legal acumen and HR expertise,
enabling him to manage organizational policies, recruitment processes, staff welfare, and
compliance with labor laws. His experience includes advising on employment contracts, conflict resolution, internal governance, and institutional policy frameworks. Known for his integrity,
discretion, and strong organizational skills, Romalique plays a key role in fostering a productive and compliant workplace environment that supports the mission and growth of Nabahya Food Institute. His contributions are vital in building resilient, motivated, and well-supported teams in
complex operating environments.
MAPENDO JUDITH
Environment and Gender Inclusion (EGI) Officer
JUDITH serves as the Environment and Gender Inclusion (EGI) Officer at Nabahya Food Institute, where she leads the integration of environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and gender
equality across all programs. She holds a degree in Environment and Rural Development from ISDR Bukavu, and brings strong experience in community mobilization within the contexts of
environmental protection and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) response. Judith has a solid background in both humanitarian and development programming, with proven skills in
planning, implementing, and monitoring field activities. She is particularly experienced in applying Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMP) and the Environmental and
Social Management System (ESMS) frameworks to ensure that projects adhere to global environmental and social safeguards. Her work ensures that all initiatives at Nabahya Food
Institute are not only ecologically sound but also socially inclusive—empowering women, protecting vulnerable populations, and promoting governance principles that strengthen sustainable development. Known for her dedication, field expertise, and cross-sectoral approach,
Judith plays a critical role in building resilient, gender-responsive, and environmentally responsible rural communities.
SIFA GHISLAINE
Communication Officer
Sifa GHISLAINE is the Communication Officer at Nabahya Food Institute, where she leads community engagement, visibility, and outreach efforts for the organization’s programs. She holds a Diploma in Commercial and Administrative Sciences from ISP Bukavu, and brings over 3 years of experience in marketing, project evaluation, and reporting. Sifa has demonstrated expertise in marketing strategy development, helping to expand the Institute’s presence in existing markets and explore new ones. Her strong background in teamwork, IT, and data
management supports the delivery of clear, consistent, and impactful communication across digital and physical platforms. With a passion for storytelling and community-centered communication, she ensures that the voices of smallholder farmers and rural communities are amplified. Her work not only enhances the visibility of Nabahya Food Institute’s impact but also
strengthens connections with stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries.
