Who we are

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.

Avenir Vert works with local partners and is always interested in forging new relationships that will strengthen and expand our reach to bring assistance to new customers. Our values are honesty, integrity and doing the best job possible for our customers and our people. Avenir Vert’s team and those working with us include:

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

Gloria Kimbwala

  • Gloria Kimbwala is a seasoned professional based in California, USA. She serves as Director of Global Events at MorphL2 and brings experience from previous roles at notable organizations. Gloria holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and possesses a robust skill set, including management, public speaking, blockchain technology, and more.

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.

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.

Prof. Dr. Ir Séraphin KASEMUANA MATOTOTO

  • Prof. Dr. Ir. Séraphin KASEMUANA MATOTOTO is an Electrical Engineer with over 25 years of experience in electricity markets, renewable energy, and climate change. He has worked as a Senior Expert for HELIO International in the Great Lakes countries and has led several projects on energy systems, climate change, and blue carbon. He is fluent in French and English.

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.

Mrs. Therese MPUSA

  • Therese MPUSA is a Sustainability Engineer specializing in Environmental Meteorology and an Assistant Professor at ISTA Kinshasa. As an independent researcher, she focuses on energy transition and biodiversity protection.

Grâce-Laurette Byemba

  • Grâce-Laurette Byemba is an agricultural engineer with expertise in agriculture, livestock, and women's empowerment. She has extensive experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation, having worked with various national and international organizations. Byemba is also a skilled trainer in entrepreneurship, financial education, and business planning.

Jae-Hee

  • Jae-Hee is a Yale University undergraduate studying molecular biophysics, biochemistry, and climate science. She has worked on various climate-related initiatives, including co-initiating RedemptionDAO to conserve the Congo Basin. Jae-Hee is actively involved in Yale's environmental community, serving on the board of the Yale Environmentalist and working with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.