Kayembe Mufuta strongly believes that small businesses and informal economies are essential for economic development in low-income countries. With over a decade of experience across various sectors—including operations and contract management, public transparency, accountability mechanisms, and economic development in post-conflict settings—he has worked with international institutions, nonprofit organizations, private enterprises, and government bodies. Prior to joining iDE, Kayembe held positions at the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Creative Associates International, and the Carter Center.

At iDE, he provides operational, process, and contract management support for projects in Africa and Central America. He ensures compliance with iDE’s global policies while fostering cross-cultural collaboration to maximize the impact of the organization’s mission across multiple countries.

Mufuta holds a master’s degree in peace studies and international relations with a focus on post-conflict economic reconstruction from the Catholic University of East Africa in Nairobi. He also has a master’s degree in global business administration from Tufts University and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Loyola University in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.