The Aura Group Story

Early Years

Early Years in Muyinga

Born in Muyinga Province, Burundi, Niyongabo Nephtalie began his life journey rooted in values that would later define his leadership and entrepreneurial vision. He completed his primary education at École Primaire de Gahororo and pursued his secondary studies at Lycée Communal de Muyinga and Lycée Mukoni. These formative years shaped his character, instilling in him a strong sense of discipline, integrity, hard work, and a constant drive for excellence—principles that remain at the core of Aura Group's identity today.

Academic

Academic Excellence

Motivated by a deep commitment to knowledge and professional development, Mr. Niyongabo continued his higher education at Girne American University, where he earned his Bachelor's degree. Seeking a global perspective in business and leadership, he later obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in International Business, with a specialization in Media and Entertainment, from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management (MSBM) in the United Kingdom. He is currently a PhD candidate in International Business, Administration, and Management at MSBM, strengthening his expertise in strategic leadership, innovation, and international economic development.

Professional

Professional Leadership

With solid academic foundations and an international outlook, Niyongabo Nephtalie built a career marked by vision, resilience, and strategic thinking. His leadership is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and long-term planning. He has demonstrated strong expertise in business management, telecommunications, trade, and investment, guiding organizations toward sustainable growth and institutional excellence. These qualities have been central to the structuring, governance, and expansion of the enterprises that would later form Aura Group.

The Beginning

Creating Aura Group

Guided by the belief that sustainable development is achieved through private initiative, innovation, and regional integration, Mr. Niyongabo Nephtalie laid the foundations of what would become Aura Group.

The journey began in 2009 with the creation of SOPAD S.A. (Société pour la Promotion des Activités de Développement), a company focused on general trade and economic development in Burundi. As markets evolved, the company transformed in 2014 into SOPAD Telecom, marking a strategic entry into the telecommunications sector. This evolution led to the launch of Aura Telecoms in 2015, positioning the enterprise as a key player in technology-driven services and connectivity.

Driven by diversification and value creation, new ventures were later established, including Aura Café, Aura Motors, and Avocador in February 2021, dedicated to avocado cultivation and export-oriented agribusiness.

In May 2021, all these activities were consolidated under a single holding structure: Aura Group. This strategic step strengthened governance, unified vision, and enabled the development of large-scale, integrated projects. Among them are the MAGEBU Free Trade Zone, launched in January 2023 as Magasins Généraux du Burundi S.A., with MAGEBU I at the Burundi–DRC border serving as a regional logistics and industrial hub, and MAGEBU II in Muyinga focused on agricultural and agro-industrial development.

In July 2024, Aura Group further reinforced its agribusiness strategy with the creation of the Burundi Avocado Marketing Company, a national export platform designed to connect farmers to global markets, strengthen foreign exchange earnings, and contribute to Burundi's economic transformation.

Today, Aura Group stands as a diversified holding operating in telecommunications, trade, logistics, agribusiness, and infrastructure, united by one vision: building integrated ecosystems that drive sustainable growth, shared prosperity, and regional integration.