JEAN-BAPTISTE MAGLOIRE KAMABU TASILWIWE, Co-Founder, PAF Trade Group
While many follow the well-worn path—earn a degree, secure a job, and climb the corporate ladder—visionaries dare to break free. They refuse to be cogs in the machine, choosing risk over routine. Ignited by passion, they build businesses not just for themselves but for the people—solving problems, uplifting communities, and creating jobs. Their journey is uncertain, often riddled with failures, yet they push forward, anchored by purpose. They don’t just chase success; they shape it. Their legacy isn’t just wealth, it’s impact. The world thrives because they dare to dream bigger.
Meet Jean-Baptiste Magloire KAMABU TASILWIWE, a visionary who refused to walk the beaten path. In a world where success was measured by degrees and job titles, he dared to challenge the norm. If everyone pursued employment, no one would be left to create opportunities.
From a young age, he saw the gaps in his community—problems waiting for solutions. At just 14, his perspective shifted. Education was no longer just a ladder to a stable career; it became a tool for transformation. Every subject he studied was a key to solving real-world challenges. While others chased security, he embraced uncertainty, knowing that within risk lay the seeds of innovation. His journey is a testament to bold thinking, relentless passion, and the courage to create a future where others see only obstacles.
Uniting Africa through Trade
Africa, a continent of over 1.2 billion people, holds immense economic potential. Yet, intra-African trade remains severely underdeveloped, with weak interconnections between nations. Jean-Baptiste Magloire KAMABU TASILWIWE saw this firsthand during his work across multiple African countries. Trade networks between regions were minimal, and regulatory barriers made cross-border business an uphill battle. Determined to change this, he co-founded PAF Trade Group with a bold vision—to unite Africa as one thriving market.
“If we don’t build our trade systems, we will always depend on external forces,” he emphasises. He envisioned a future where African nations collaborated, not competed, to drive economic growth. The goal was establishing a business model connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and governments—bridging gaps, breaking barriers, and fostering economic independence.
Jean-Baptiste and his team worked to integrate corporate governance into trade, ensuring smoother regulatory processes. Whether in South Sudan, Mozambique, Kenya, or the DRC, the vision remained the same: create a self-sustaining trade ecosystem. With partners from various countries, PAF Trade Group laid a roadmap to transform industries like agriculture, fintech, education, aviation, and venture capital. Today, that roadmap is in motion, paving the way for a stronger, more connected Africa.
Overcoming the Complexities of Trade and Technology in Africa
Expanding businesses across Africa presents unique challenges, from cultural differences to technological gaps. Jean-Baptiste Magloire KAMABU TASILWIWE faced this reality while navigating the continent’s trade and technology sectors. A model that worked seamlessly in Kenya struggled in DRC Congo, where business environments, regulations, and cultural expectations differed vastly.
“Success in one country doesn’t guarantee success elsewhere. Adaptation is key,” he conveys. Language barriers added another hurdle. While English and Swahili facilitated business in Kenya, French dominated in DRC and Burundi, making communication difficult. In South Sudan, local dialects further complicate interactions.
Technology also posed significant obstacles. Poor internet connectivity in many regions hindered digital solutions. Additionally, finding skilled professionals locally was a challenge, requiring constant capacity building. Jean-Baptiste tackled this by training local talent to sustain and scale projects. His journey underscores the importance of adaptability, ingenuity, and collective effort in navigating Africa’s complex trade and technology landscape.
Guiding with Unity and Balance
Great leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about unity. Jean-Baptiste Magloire KAMABU TASILWIWE believes in a leadership style that brings people together. He values collaboration, ensuring every voice contributes to a shared vision. “When people feel like part of the solution, they take ownership, innovate, and protect what they build,” he shares. His approach keeps teams focused on common goals while embracing diverse perspectives.
Work-life balance is just as important. He follows a strict eight-hour workday and dedicates two hours daily to the gym. On weekends, he escapes to nature, exploring remote areas to recharge. Changing routines also keeps him energized. If a week is tech-heavy, he shifts focus—connecting with the community or planning team activities. Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro with colleagues is one of his favourites. These moments foster deeper connections, strengthen teamwork and fuel long-term vision.
Forged in Adversity: The Unwavering Pursuit of Change
Jean-Baptiste Magloire Kamabu Tasilwiwe embodies resilience in the face of adversity, a character that has been tempered in the crucible of entrepreneurship. His Air Moran venture is not a business—it’s a fight for economic transformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2024, he was on the frontlines, fighting regulatory challenges, funding constraints, and shifting allegiances. Once celebrated as visionary, he was mocked when the going got rough, but never once did he retreat. To him, leadership is not approval but persevering, even when friends fail and funds run dry. His unrelenting resolve to create an independent trade and aviation center proves that true pioneers don’t crumble with adversity; they bounce back, reorient, and go forward. For Jean-Baptiste, every test of patience, every failure is a lesson that inspires his next masterstroke. While he struggles to connect communities, create jobs, and change the face of African aviation, he remains unflappable—converting setbacks into momentum, and dreams into action.
Fostering a Healthier Future with Organic Nutrition
Apart from his role in business and innovation, Jean-Baptiste Magloire Kamabu Tasilwiwe is also interested in promoting health and well-being through organic food in Kenya. With the onset of lifestyle diseases such as cancer and diabetes, he advocates for a shift towards healthier, natural diets. In Nairobi, he is at the forefront of the Jitrit Restaurant business idea, which brings together organic consumption and wellness education. Through Jitrit, he wishes to create a setting where people can indulge in quality organic food and get educated about preventing disease and the benefits of clean food. Facilitating local farmers, sustainable food procurement, and conducting wellness-based events are all methods through which Jitrit is reorganizing the manner in which food is contributing towards making society a healthier community. His aim is to make organic, disease-fighting nutrition available to all so that future generations can grow healthier and stronger.
Pioneering Growth and Lasting Impact
In the next 5–10 years, Jean-Baptiste Magloire Kamabu Tasilwiwe envisions the initiatives launched today evolving into industry leaders. Air Moran aims to expand from a fleet of five to fifty aircraft, eventually reaching one hundred, revolutionizing East African aviation. In financial inclusion, a recent startup in Kenya is set to complement M-Pesa, enabling seamless cross-border trade between Kenya and Tanzania and bridging the gap for businesses to access global markets like the London and New York Merchant Exchanges.
For Jean-Baptiste, long-term vision goes beyond expansion—it’s about sustainability for future generations. True leadership means nurturing initiatives, refining strategies, and fostering continuous innovation. As he puts it, “Every day is an opportunity to build, protect, and innovate.”
Success, in Jean-Baptiste’s eyes, isn’t just about hitting milestones but making a lasting impact on communities. The solutions built today should not only address present challenges but also add value for future generations, creating a legacy that stands the test of time.