Meet Our Team

Avenir Vert’s team of dedicated professionals has a wealth of knowledge and experience across a wide range of disciplines and sectors and is committed to delivering successful outcomes and quality service. Our team of professionals includes local and international experts, highly trained and dedicated, to bring to our customers solutions that will build capacity, access investment and finance to bring the results needed on time. Our values are honesty, integrity and doing the best job possible for our customers and our people. 

LEADERSHIP

Phil Malula

  • Phil Malula, MBA, is a visionary international business leader renowned for his commitment to sustainable development in Africa, focusing on the Congo basin, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Through strategic partnerships with global organizations and governments, he spearheads collaborative initiatives that drive sustainable development.

    As the Founder of AVENIR VERT, Phil oversees initiatives prioritizing environmental conservation, community well-being, research, and social inclusion. 

Tryphon L. Mungono

  • Thryphon L. Mungono is an electrical engineer with extensive experience in the energy sector. He has worked with prominent companies like SNEL, ABB, and Fichtner, and has held various leadership positions, including Deputy Project Manager and Country Representative.

    Assistant Professor at ISTA (Institut Superieur Des Techniques Appliquées) since 2004

Dr Claude Mukengela Muya

  • Location: Kasai - Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo

    Claude is a highly accomplished academic and researcher with over 20 years of experience in animal production, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural development. Proven track record in project design, implementation, and management, with expertise in rural mechanization, ration formulation, and applied research. His academic background includes:
    •⁠ ⁠PhD in Animal Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa (2016)
    •⁠ ⁠Master's in Animal Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa (2007)
    •⁠ ⁠Agricultural Engineer, Institut Facultaire des Sciences Agronomiques (IFSA), Yangambi, DRC (1986)

    Professional Experience:
    •⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Lecturer, Université Officielle de Mbujimayi and Université Loyola du Congo
    •⁠ ⁠Advisor to the Governor of Kasai Oriental Province on Agriculture and Livestock
    •⁠ ⁠Regional Director for Agricultural Development, Avenir Vert
    •⁠ ⁠Consultant for various organizations, including NGOs and government agencies

    Key Skills:
    •⁠ ⁠Project design and management
    •⁠ ⁠Applied research and academic teaching
    •⁠ ⁠Animal nutrition and feed formulation
    •⁠ ⁠Rural development and mechanization
    •⁠ ⁠Scientific writing and publication

    Languages: French, English, Tshiluba, Lingala

Prof. Aimé Lay-Ekuakille

  • Prof. Aimé Lay-Ekuakille is a renowned expert in Electronic Engineering and Clinical Engineering. He holds multiple degrees, including a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering, and has authored over 370 papers. With extensive experience in industrial plant management and instrumentation, Prof. Lay-Ekuakille is currently Director of the Instrumentation and Measurement Lab at the University of Salento, Italy.

Noel Casserly

  • Noel worked for many years with the Irish Government in the areas of environment, climate change and sustainable development. He led the Irish delegation at UN international negotiations on climate change (UNFCCC) between 2010 and 2013. Previously he was Director of Ireland’s National Council for Sustainable Development (Comhar SDC). Noel has also worked as a consultant on Climate Finance to Irish Aid, at the Department of Foreign affairs, and is on the UN roster of national experts for climate change, as nominated by the Irish government. He is the founder of SmartEarth an international consultancy on Climate Action and Sustainability.

Aidan Foley

  • Aidan Foley is a seasoned technology executive and ClimateTech CEO with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and growth. Following a successful tenure at DIAGEO, Aidan co-founded a technology firm in 2011, delivering tailored solutions to prominent organizations such as Capita Symonds, Ulster Bank, and the Irish education system.

    In 2021, Aidan co-founded MèreMer, a ClimateTech company supported by the Irish Government and the European Space Agency. MèreMer leverages cutting-edge technology to drive positive climate action, reflecting Aidan's passion for sustainable innovation and environmental stewardship.

TECHNICAL TEAM

Innocent Amani

  • Innocent Amani is a seasoned expert in environmental conservation, natural resource management, and sustainable development, boasting over 10 years of experience. He holds a master's degree in Environment and Natural Resources Management and a bachelor's degree in Biology from the Official University of Bukavu.

    Amani has worked with several organizations, supporting sustainable development projects financed by the World Bank and the European Union. Notably, he was the Focal Point for the Stabilization of Eastern DRC for Peace (STEP2) project and contributed to an agroforestry and sustainable agriculture project in the Yangambi landscape.

Jonathan Donda

  • Hardware, Software & ML Developer

    • Technology and innovation professional specializing in IoT, software development, AI, and connected systems.

    • 9 years of experience in software development, 7 years in hardware integration, and 4 years in artificial intelligence.

    • Expertise in environmental monitoring, telecommunications, electric mobility, healthcare technologies, and digital platforms.

    • Designs end-to-end environmental monitoring solutions, from sensors and connectivity to cloud platforms and dashboards.

    • Skilled in Python, Java, PHP, JavaScript, C/C++, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, SQL, InfluxDB, Grafana, MATLAB, and GIS tools.

    • Experienced with LTE, LoRaWAN, MQTT, WebSocket, AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean, and VPS deployments.

    • Applies machine learning and deep learning for prediction, anomaly detection, automation, and intelligent monitoring.

    • Develops reliable, scalable solutions for institutional, research, and operational environments.

Fabrice Mungono

  • Fabrice Mungono is an Administrative and IT Professional with experience in administrative management, network operations, IT support, and technical coordination. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems from Vaal University of Technology in South Africa and has worked across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

    Throughout his career, Fabrice has supported business operations by managing administrative processes, coordinating with technical service providers, supervising network operations, and providing IT support. His professional experience includes roles with YENI SARLU, Africell RDC, KASHIDI, JODAPRIS IMBS, and E-Waste for All.

    He is passionate about technology, problem-solving, and delivering efficient administrative and technical solutions. His expertise includes network administration, computer systems, hardware and software support, Microsoft Office, Cisco networking fundamentals, and technical troubleshooting.

    Fabrice is fluent in French, English, and Lingala, enabling him to work effectively in multicultural and multilingual environments. He is committed to continuous learning, teamwork, and contributing to projects that drive innovation and organizational growth.

Guelord Lekasolo

  • Guelord is an experienced IT systems specialist with more than a decade of hands-on expertise in designing, deploying and maintaining digital infrastructure across both the public and private sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His work spans network administration, cybersecurity, surveillance systems, cloud-based services and enterprise IT support, helping organisations build reliable technology foundations that enable them to grow.

    After studying engineering at Stratford University in India, Guelord completed a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology before earning internationally recognised certifications, including Cisco's CCNA qualification. Throughout his career he has held senior technical roles supporting businesses across a wide range of industries, combining strong practical knowledge with a calm, solution-focused approach to complex technical challenges.

    Fluent in English, French, Lingala and Kikongo, Guelord enjoys working across cultures and disciplines. At Avenir Vert he brings the technical expertise needed to support secure, connected and resilient digital systems that underpin the organisation's work across Africa.

Johny Kayembe

  • Johny is an experienced technology leader with a passion for using digital systems to improve organisational performance and support sustainable development. With a career spanning software development, network engineering, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and IT management, he has helped organisations across the Democratic Republic of Congo modernise their operations through secure, scalable technology solutions.

    Currently completing an MBA in Information Technology, Johny combines technical expertise with strategic leadership. Over the past decade he has progressed from software developer and systems consultant to senior IT management roles, leading digital transformation projects across sectors including healthcare, logistics, energy and corporate services. His experience includes enterprise systems, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, business intelligence and network administration, underpinned by internationally recognised training including Cisco Networking Academy and ITIL Foundation.

    Fluent in French, English, Lingala and Tshiluba, Johny brings both technical depth and a collaborative mindset to international partnerships. At Avenir Vert he helps ensure that the organisation's digital infrastructure is secure, efficient and capable of supporting ambitious environmental and climate initiatives across Africa.

Mrs. Alide kidimbu Nzenga

  • An environmental engineer, and a researcher at INERA/Yangambi- Kisangani. Researcher on the evaluation of carbon stock in the Yangambi biosphere reserve. She is currently supervising a project on the production of high-yield seeds (improved varieties)at INERA / Yangambi - Kisangani university.

ADVISORY BOARD

Prof. Bila-Isia Inogwabini, PhD

  • Prof. Bila-Isia Inogwabini is a renowned researcher and academic with expertise in biodiversity, climatology, climate change, and ecology. He holds a Ph.D. and is affiliated with the Catholic University of Congo and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

    Prof. Inogwabini has worked extensively in the Congo Basin, focusing on climate change, conservation, and sustainable development. He has authored several books, including "The Congo's Salonga Park" and "Climate Perspectives from the Congo Basin," which explore the complex relationships between human communities, biodiversity, and climate change in the region.

    In addition to his academic work, Prof. Inogwabini has also been involved in practical conservation efforts. He has worked with the World Wildlife Fund as the Lac Tumba project manager, conducting field research and supporting local communities in natural resource management.

    Some of his notable affiliations and roles include:

    •⁠ ⁠Researcher and Teacher: School of Management, Catholic University of Congo

    •⁠ ⁠External Resource: Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

    •⁠ ⁠Lac Tumba Project Manager: World Wildlife Fund

    Overall, Prof. Bila-Isia Inogwabini is a respected expert in his field, with a strong commitment to understanding and addressing the complex environmental challenges facing the Congo Basin and beyond.

    As a National Geographic/Buffett and UNESCO Award-winning scientist, Dr. Inogwabini brings expertise to the forefront of Avenir Vert. Currently, he serves as Science Officer for the Science Panel for the Congo Basin.

Dr. Nadine Laporte

  • Dr. Nadine Laporte is an Adjunct Professor at Northern Arizona University's School of Forestry.

    With 30+ years of experience, she specializes in using satellite imagery for tropical forest conservation and management.

    Her work has influenced forest policies and promoted transparency in the environmental sector, with a focus on building technical capacity in Africa.

Brigitte Desvaux

  • Brigitte Desvaux is a French-American sustainability leader with a professional background in sustainable design and 12 years of experience in regenerative agriculture education programs.

    She played a pivotal role in developing and implementing programs for educational institutions in Latin America, sparking her engagement in sustainable value chains. Brigitte specializes in agriculture landscape planning and supply chain optimization to create more resilient, sustainable, and prosperous agricultural systems.

    With expertise in sustainability, program development, and supply chain resilience, she bridges ecological design with practical implementation, ensuring long-term environmental and economic success across agricultural programs.