Yannick Kazadi – Chief Executive Officer – (BBA, MBA)
Yannick is a business executive with a background in business expansion, Business Planning, strategic initiatives, market research, negotiation, business partnerships, sales, market development, and marketing.

Prior to joining Yellowstone DRC Yannick served as Managing Director of Rema Tip Top Belting & Rubber DRC, a company he helped establish and a subsidiary of Rema Tip Top, a globally operating system provider of services and products in the field of material handling conveying, treatment technology, adhesive systems, surface protection rubber lining and coating, and OTR tyre repair for mining, industrial and automotive sectors.

In 2015, Yannick was tasked with investigating and assessing further expansion potential for Rema Tip Top in the DRC where the company was less permanent at the time. After all due diligence, research, and studies, he was subsequently responsible for the establishment of the subsidiary in the country, including market analysis, business planning, registration, handling all of the company operations and end-to-end management of its supply chain, sales activities as well as service and support to mining companies.

He also headed negotiations with key prospects and played a leading role in developing strategic initiatives, alliances and partnerships within the market, fostering market penetration and reducing lead time among others.

Previous to his work at Rema Tip Top in the DRC, Yannick was business developer Africa export at Rema Tip Top South Africa where he contributed to the expansion of the company into Africa. Yannick also worked as business developer for Rema Tip Top Madagascar where he was responsible for identifying new market opportunities, establishing and maintaining relationships with prospects, networking with business decision-makers and converting more leads into customers to promote growth and boost revenue.

In addition, Yannick is an aspiring academic and adjunct faculty at the African Leadership University. Yannick earned an MBA from the African Leadership University School of Business, where he served as co-president of the Student Representative Council, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the University of South Africa (UNISA), a Certificate in Marketing from the University of the Witwatersrand, and he is currently pursuing a B.Com (Hons) in Business Management with Project and Supply Chain Management at UNISA, and a certificate in Global Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Yannick was born and raised in Likasi, in the DRC.

Jayne Backhouse – International Consultant – Structuring & Operations – (B.Bus Science)

Jayne is an experienced Corporate Finance Executive with over 18 years’ experience, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her corporate finance career started in Zimbabwe in 2003 where she worked for Imara Corporate Finance, the leading advisory firm in the country at that time. She furthered her career in London between 2005 and 2008 where she worked for two firms, Bridgewell and Altium Capital as an analyst in their corporate finance teams. In these roles she was involved in M&A advisory work to both Public and Private clients as well as being actively involved in Corporate Broking to Public companies across a range of sectors. In 2009 Jayne re-joined Imara Corporate Finance in Johannesburg with a focus on advisory services in the region where she worked for twelve years. Jayne joined the Yellowstone team in 2022.

Over the last thirteen years Jayne has travelled regularly into the region and worked closely with clients who range from large international companies, Governments, local corporates and small entrepreneurs.  Services provided to clients include valuations, strategic advice, capital raisings, restructurings, acquisitions and disposals, IPOs and due diligence. She has always worked very closely with clients and developed long standing and strong relationships in the region and has been actively involved in all aspects of transactions, including pitching and proposals, undertaking the financial modelling and valuation work, advising on structuring and leading the execution of transactions.

Jayne was born in Zimbabwe and currently resides in South Africa.

Renier Smit – Architecture and Design Consultant

Renier is a Professional Architect registered with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP). He has 40 years’ experience in Professional Architecture on an International Level.

Renier has rendered Professional services since 1983 comprising the appraisal, planning, architectural and urban design, contract administration and project management of a wide range of projects. Included are industrial and commercial developments, law courts, retirement facilities, clinics, schools, facilities for the disabled, housing projects and private houses, game lodges, small business development facilities, urban planning and several border control posts.

He is an Architectural Consultant with extensive experience in the concept design of Professional Architectural Layouts, with special reference to Border Posts.
Renier is the author of a 285-page document on Design Guidelines for Land Ports of Entry. The Methodology of the document addresses a holistic approach to all aspects of international best practices for the design of border posts with specific reference to South African land ports of entry and the conversion thereof to One Stop Border Posts if required. He has worked on various border posts and related projects including the following:

  • New One Stop Border Post facilities, South Africa /Mozambique at Lebombo-Ressano Garcia: Master planning, concept design and project management for the South African and Mozambican governments. He facilitated the co-ordination and bilateral agreements of all user departments and SA/Mozambique governments for the establishment of a One Stop Border Facility, inclusive of alternative funding models and PPP options.
  • New Chirundu Bridge and Border Post Facilities, Zimbabwe/Zambia: Master planning, concept design and project management for border post facilities on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the border. The master plan allowed for the border posts to be converted to a One Stop Border Post facility.
  • New Border Post facilities, Golela Phase 2 South Africa / Swaziland: Master planning and feasibility study for the new border post and housing facilities. Co-ordinate with Swaziland government on the upgrade of the Lavumisa facilities and future conversion to a One Stop Border Post facility. Design, architecture & project management for SA Government.
  • Kasumbalesa DRC – Masterplanning and design of newcommercial custom clearing facilities, pre-clearance truckstop holding area, customs dryport and bonded warehousing.

Lischke Laubscher – International Consultant – Tax & Accounting – (B.Compt Charted accountancy – Registered Professional Accountant (SA))

Lischke started her professional career in 2009 and qualified as a Professional Accountant (SA) in 2013. She is registered with the South African Institute of Professional Accountant’s board.

Her career commenced in the audit industry where small, medium and large entities were independently audited and professional audit opinions were expressed.

Lischke has a national footprint working with business of all sizes providing high-quality accounting, tax, business advisory, valuations of business interests, and acquisition and merger advice.

She started her corporate career in 2015 as the Group Financial Director within South Africa operating with international parties on import and export transactions, business negotiations, mergers, and business structures.

As a tax practitioner the tax implications and structures are crucial when looking at business operations and financial flows. Her experience in this field is vital to obtain the maximum benefits in business relations.

Lischke joined the Yellowstone team in 2021.

Anifa Tatu – Human Resources Manager – (BBA & Econ).

Anifa Tatu is a Congolese citizen who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration & Economics degree specialising in Finance, Banking and Assurance from Université Protestante au Congo. Anifa is the Executive Director of Human Resources & Administration at Yellowstone DRC SARL. She is also the founder and chairperson of C’ Party, an event management and décor company. Anifa has an extensive travel experience, which gives her the ability to work and relate to people from a multicultural background.

Legal Counsel – TSHIBANGU ILUNGA & PARTNERS (“TI&A”) SCA

TI&A sca is a full-service law firm, comprising of Mining & Quarrying Attorneys, IP Attorneys and Tax litigation Specialists.

It is based in Kinshasa with representations throughout the OHADA African french speaking region, mainly focused on business law, with particular skills in Mining Law, Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Tax Law, Maritime & Admiralty law, in Employment Law, in Telecommunications, in Banking Law and so on.…

TI&A sca is committed to giving realistic legal and appropriate advice in the coveted sector of commodities, infrastructures and energy in the expending market of Africa. The law firm strives to give thoughtful counsel to encourage economically sound decisions to clients by forecasting and anticipating legal issues with appropriate solutions.

TI&A sca advises Yellowstone DRC SARL.