People of Sucafina: Thriving Through Change - a Finance Perspective 

Originally from Rwanda, Jean de Dieu Rukundo (Rukundo, as he’s known) was working as an auditor when he stumbled upon an opportunity to join the Rwacof finance team. Ten years, four internal moves, and one serious coffee habit later (his words!), he’s built a reputation for seamlessly adapting to new roles and teams – and thriving while doing it. 

When did you join Sucafina and what has been your career progression in the company? 
I joined the team as a Financial Accountant for Rwacof in 2015 (this month marks 10 years with Sucafina!). By 2018, I was promoted to Finance Manager. In 2020, I joined the Beyers team (Belgium), then I moved over to Sucafina UK. Then, in 2023, I had the opportunity to join the NV (Belgium) team as Finance Manager for two years. I recently moved to Uganda, where I’m now serving as Financial Controller for Africa. 

What are your main responsibilities in your current role? 
My main responsibilities include participating in monthly financial closings – I’m basically the guy putting the numbers together – reviewing and standardizing finance procedures and working with local teams to migrate to new solutions. 

You’ve moved to various offices. What is it like meeting and working with a new team? 
It’s all about learning and adjusting. The first step is to get familiar with the culture and various personalities of the new team. Then, it’s about learning your new role and building strong relationships with your colleagues. And most importantly, don’t forget to ask questions. 

Was there a “culture shock” moving to a different part of Sucafina?
Yes, definitely. I still remember my move to Beyers in 2020 – it was my first time in Europe, coming from Rwanda, and it was in the middle of winter. The cold, dark weather was tough, and the language barrier made it even more challenging. Everything was in Flemish – emails, invoices – and I had to translate every document into English to do my job. It took me about three months to adapt, but looking back, that move was a key learning experience. It prepared me to adapt quickly to new environments in future moves. 

What’s one skill you didn’t know you had until you changed roles? 
People skills, I’d say. When I was first promoted to Finance Manager in 2019, I wasn’t sure if I could lead a team effectively. But after a year in the role, I received positive feedback from both my team and other departments. Turns out, I was actually pretty good at it! 

You recently moved from Belgium to Uganda, what’s one thing you’ve noticed about your new team? 
I’d say their loyalty to the company. We have a large number of long-serving employees at Ugacof, very little turnover, and even those who leave for other opportunities often come back to visit. That kind of connection says a lot. 

Quick-fire questions now: 

You have the freedom to join any team – where do you go? 
Brazil for sure. It’s the world’s largest producer of coffee, and I’d love to see how the supply chain works there, up close. 

Which one is your favorite team so far? 
I don’t have a favorite, but I really enjoyed the multicultural aspect of the NV team during my two years with them. 

What’s your favorite coffee? 
A good cup of Colombian filter. Funny enough, I wasn’t that into coffee before joining Sucafina, but now I’m hooked! I even take part in cuppings at the office. 

If your finance brain could take on any other role in the company for one week, what would it be and why? 
Trading! I’d love to learn more about the numerical side of it – coffee futures, hedging. It’s the most important and complex part of the business, and I’d really like to experience what they do and apply those learnings to my role. 

Finish the sentence: “I never thought working in finance would lead me to…” 
…develop such a deep understanding of human behavior and emotions, not just of numbers. 

And finally, what advice would you give to others who have the opportunity to take a placement in a different country, region, or team? 
Do a bit of research about the country and your new team before you go. And once you arrive, find yourself a “question-buddy”– someone you can ask all your questions and on whom you can rely whenever you’re unsure about something. It makes a big difference.