Amani Matabaro Tom
Founder and Executive Director, ABFEC / Founding Director, Action Kivu
Amani Matabaro Tom is the Founder and Executive Director of Actions pour le Bien-être de la Femme et de l'Enfant au Congo (ABFEC), the Congolese organization that serves as Action Kivu's implementing partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. ABFEC founded and operates the projects Action Kivu supports including the Congo Peace School, a central part of that locally led work and Action Kivu’s largest resource mobilization priority.
Following widespread conflict-related sexual violence in South Kivu, Amani and his wife, Amini Bukanda, established what became the Kivu Sewing Workshop to provide vocational training and economic opportunities for survivors. Under his leadership, that initial initiative has grown into a comprehensive community development organization delivering education, nutrition, health, livelihoods, regenerative agriculture, peacebuilding, and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable children, women, and families in conflict-affected communities.
For nearly two decades, Amani has led locally driven development and humanitarian initiatives across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. His experience spans organizational leadership, community development, education, human rights, peacebuilding, gender equality, humanitarian response, strategic partnerships, program implementation, community engagement, capacity building, policy advocacy, and applied research.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with international NGOs, United Nations agencies, universities, research institutions, governments, and philanthropic organizations to strengthen community resilience and advance locally led solutions to complex humanitarian challenges.
Human Rights Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School
As a Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Amani brought nearly two decades of experience in community-led development and human rights work in eastern Congo to conversations on peacebuilding, responsible mineral supply chains and international policy. Harvard’s Justice Matters podcast featured Amani in a conversation exploring the conflict in Congo and ABFEC’s work to build peace through education and community action.
Listen to Finding Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Harvard Kennedy School
Advancing Nonviolence Through Education
Amani Matabaro completed all three levels of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict and Peace Reconciliation training through the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies. The principles and practices he studied there have become integral to Congo Peace School, where nonviolence is woven into everyday learning, relationships and conflict resolution.
Recognized for Peace Education
Action Kivu received the 2024 Smart Peace Prize in recognition of its innovative approach to reducing violence through education. The award highlighted the Congo Peace School’s integration of nonviolence and peace education alongside the Congolese national curriculum, an approach developed under Amani Matabaro’s leadership.
Local Leadership, Global Partnership
A founding member and past president of the Rotary Club of Bukavu Mwangaza, Amani Matabaro has worked through Rotary to connect locally identified priorities in South Kivu with an international network of partners. His Rotary leadership has contributed to projects ranging from expanding access to clean water in Mumosho to bringing medical equipment to Panzi Hospital, alongside longstanding partnerships with Rotary clubs in the United States and Europe.
Rotary magazine featured Amani Matabaro and locally led work in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in its May 2017 issue. The story highlights the role of community-driven development and Rotary partnerships in creating opportunities for peace, education and economic stability in South Kivu.