Birikunzira Lionceau

Birikunzira Lionceau is a driven youth educator, changemaker, and social entrepreneur from Burundi, renowned for his commitment to creating opportunities for marginalised communities in rural areas. As the Co-founder and General Director of Brightness and Companionship Youth Global, Birikunzira designs and implements programmes at the intersection of education, sustainability, and gender justice, equipping young people with vital skills to become agents of change.

Believing strongly in the untapped potential of youth, he employs education and entrepreneurship as tools for transformation, especially for those often left behind. Birikunzira has directly trained hundreds of young people in English language, leadership, and entrepreneurship, and has led multiple environmental awareness and tree-planting initiatives. Through mentorship and grassroots activism, he advocates for gender equality, climate resilience, and the inclusion of youth voices at all levels of society.

His leadership and advocacy have been recognised by several organisations, including his selection as a Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) member at the Regional Leadership Center East Africa, Trevor Noah Foundation Education Changemaker Cohort 1, and UPG Sustainability Leader and United People Global Champion. He volunteers with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots and participates in climate education projects with international partners. A graduate of the Climate Law and Governance Specialisation Course from the University of Cambridge and ADA University, Birikunzira’s expertise extends to policy and advocacy for sustainability.

As a Youth Advisory Board member, Birikunzira brings a wealth of experience in community empowerment and a passion for inclusive, youth-led development, supporting the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab’s mission of amplifying diverse youth voices across Africa and Europe.