Innovation Summit - Meridian International Center

Participant Biographies
Mr. Jean Claude Ntakarutimana – Burundi
Executive Director and Co-Owner, the Computer Services Company
The Computer Services Company was founded in 2007 by Mr. Ntakarutimana and his brother to
take advantage of the growing market for computing products. Since its inception, the company
has been able to capitalize on the growing interest in computer technology as Burundi strives to
catch up with its neighbors in the East African Community and the rest of the world. The company
has become a primary vendor of desktops, laptops, photocopiers, cartridges, toners and other IT
equipment in Bujumbura and in the region of Lubumbashi of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The company is the main equipment provider for Microsoft Burundi and Maison Vision, an ondemand
printing company. Mr. Ntakarutimana is also the president of the Cibitoke English Club. As
current president of the club, he has helped create one of the most effective and diverse community
organizations in the Cibitoke neighborhood; an area that was heavily impacted by civil and post-war
conflict between Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.
Ms. Lufinama Patricia Bibiche Nzolantima – Democratic Republic of Congo
Partner and Country Manager, Exp-Communicart
As the Country Manager of E Exp-Communicart, Ms. Nzolantima has been responsible for
developing and executing brand strategies for Nesle, Airtel, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Procter and
Gamble, Samsung, MTV Africa and various local clients in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Exp-
Communicart is Africa’s largest experiential marketing agency with offices in 15 countries on the
continent. Before Exp-Communicart, Ms. Nzolantima worked as a marketing manager for several
local and international companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Congo-
Brazzaville.
Ms. Rusia Orikiriza – Uganda
Founder and Managing Director, Oribags Innovations U Ltd
Ms. Orikiriza founded Oribags, a social and environmental enterprise, in 2007. The company
manufactures innovative, handmade paper products such as eco-bags, cards, visitor books and
stationery from local agricultural wastes and natural fibers such as cotton waste, banana fiber,
wheat and rice straw and elephant dung. Oribags sustainably recovers agricultural waste and
makes it into eco-products suitable for the local market and provides an eco-friendly alternative
to the environmentally hazardous polythene bags. Oribags empowers women and youth in skills
development for community change. As the leader of the organization, Ms. Orikiriza oversees all
aspects of the business, including marketing and product development, resource mobilization,
networking with partners, report writing, financial management, staff training and supervision, and
monitoring and evaluation.
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