Benjamin Mugema (He / Him)

A visionary and results-driven Country Manager with over 12 years of senior leadership experience across EastAfrica, currently leading operations and strategy in Rwanda. Proven expertise in driving national strategies, leading complex operations, spearheading fundraising efforts, and cultivating high-level partnerships with government, private sector, and international development agencies. My career is defined by a deep commitment to unlocking economic opportunities and scaling impact for youth and vulnerable populations. Highly adept at building highperforming, values-driven teams and representing organizations in national and international forums. Fluent inEnglish, French and Kinyarwanda, with a profound understanding of Rwanda's economic development and youth employment landscape. Key Achievements & Impact ● Country Office Leadership & Growth (Deloitte Burundi): Selected to establish and lead Deloitte's Burundi office, driving substantial business development and performance excellence. Grew the practice from 2 to over 10 major local and international clients within 18 months, significantly enhancing market presence and brand integrity. ● National Economic Empowerment Strategy (One Acre Fund): As the Product Innovations & Agroforestry Lead, spearheaded initiatives that directly improved farmer livelihoods and income growth at scale. Managed the annual production and distribution of over 9 million agroforestry and fruit trees, directly impacting 350,000 farmers in Burundi and contributing to operations supporting millions across Africa. Focused on identifying and developing market-driven products and value chains. ● Large-Scale Program & Policy Oversight (Deloitte/USAID): Directed a US$4 million assessment of refugee policies in Uganda over 12 months, funded by USAID. Led an eight-person team in this complex, multistakeholder evaluation, providing critical insights for national program reformulation and policy influence. ● Digital Trade Efficiency & Innovation (Swisscontact/GATF): Spearheaded a US$1.2 million project to analyze and optimize fruit and vegetable export processes in Uganda, culminating in a detailed study on export loss reduction and a blueprint for a cost-effective digital export solution, significantly enhancing national trade efficiency. ● Current Operational Leadership (Ecoplanet Bamboo - Rwanda): Currently leading operations and strategy for a rapidly growing company in Rwanda, overseeing a team of 150+ supervisors, nursery managers, and field officers. Responsible for the successful implementation of large-scale operations and new carbon management products aligned with national environmental and economic goals. Skills & Competencies Strategic & Organizational Leadership: Country Strategy Development & Execution, P&L Management, Organizational Growth, Change Management, Visionary Leadership, Business Development, Fundraising & Resource Mobilization, Policy Advocacy, Performance Management. Program & Operations Management: Large-Scale Program Design & Implementation, Operational Excellence, Adaptive Management, Portfolio Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), Budgeting & Financial Oversight, Compliance, Risk Management. Stakeholder Engagement & Representation: Government Relations, Donor & Funder Cultivation, Private Sector Partnerships, International Relations, Public Speaking, Cross-Cultural Communication, Negotiation. Team Leadership & Development: High-Performing Team Building, Mentorship, Professional Development, Talent Acquisition, Conflict Resolution, Culture Championing. Regional Expertise & Technical Skills: Deep understanding of Rwanda's Economic Development & Youth Employment Landscape, East Africa Markets (Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, DRC), Bilingual (English, French), Technical & Report Writing, Data Analysis, Microsoft Office Suite.