Africa Business Innovators Fund
(a.k.a, The Development Bank)
We are laying the groundwork for establishment of a Development Bank that will:
- Finance Small Scale Projects of our Members
- Support Young People’s New Business Innovations
The Fund is going to be easy to access especially if your Small-Scale Project or Business Innovation is bankable.
But more importantly, the Development Bank will ensure that your Project or Business Idea is protected until you actualize the dream
Date: 30th April 2024
Venue: Safari Park Hotel
Time: 8am-12pm
Who We Are
We are a non-profit agency registered in the republic of Kenya with the main goal of supporting Young People’s Innovative Business Initiatives through tailored mentorship and coaching.
Formerly registered as United Missions International (UMI), but the organization was rebranded to Global Professional Support Forum (GPS Forum) to align with the Vision of establishing a Development Bank, majority owned by Young People.
What We Do
We build Young People’s capacities to develop innovative business models. We do this by running a series of mentorship forums, workshops, seminars and customized training.
We invest in their Business Innovations by facilitating acquisition of risk-capital i.e., the necessary funding required to take their products and services to the marketplace.
While we have previously done this in limited form, moving forward, we want to have a structured and predictable way by establishing the Africa Business Innovators Fund (ABIF).
As soon as possible, ABIF will be modeled into The Development Bank.
We welcome you to be a founding partner in this exciting journey
Advisory Board
Chairman
Dr. Emmanuel Mango
Work Experience:
PKF Consulting Ltd – Senior Management consultant Kome Business Consultants – Senior Management Consultant Personal Development Centre Ltd – Human Resource Consultant. Kenya Commercial Bank Limited – Service Officer Leadership Coach-Independent Service
Consultancy: Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), KEMRI Wellcome Trust, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Human Resource and Leadership Development Consultancy Experience – JM Associates. Metropol Security Services, Alliance Capital Partners (Mvuli Hotels), Seureca East Africa Ltd, Cellulant Corporation Ltd, Mombasa Water, ,
Education: Doctor of Business Administration – Leadership & Organizational Change – United States International University. MSc. Human Resource Management – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management – Kenya Institute of Management. Bachelor of Science (Physics) – The University of Nairobi
Publications: An Assessment of Knowledge Management Implementation in Telecommunication Industry – A Case Study of Safaricom Limited.
President
Catherine Kariuki
Education:
Master of Business Administration – Kenya Methodist University. Bachelor of Commerce, Finance– Moi University. Certified Public Accountants – Kenya Accountants & Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB).
Professional Training:
Programming Foreign Assistance (PFA 101), Project Design and Management Course, Introduction to Managing for Results, Acquisition & Assistance Management for Contracts and Agreements, Phoenix 6.0 for Voucher Examiners Course, Functional User Training – Phoenix 6.0/Momentum Financials System.
Work Experience:
Financial Analysist at the Office of the President, State Corporations Advisory Board, besides providing expert insight as part of the Presidential Task Force on Parastatal reforms. Principal Accounts Officer at Kenya Trade Network Agency (KENTRADE). Program Development Expert at the United States Aid for International Development (USAID) within Eastern Africa Regional Implementation Office and Financial Management Center. Chief Executive Officer with Nermal Enterprises Limited focusing on infrastructure projects at Kenya’s Devolved Governments. Management Accounts Officer at various organizations including World Vision International, Kenya Methodist University and Faulu Microfinance Bank
Cofounding Director
Dr. George Otieno
Education:
PhD in Meteorology/Climate Science, Masters in Meteorology/Climate Science and a Bachelors Degree (B.Sc) in Meteorology, all from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Work and Consultancy Experience:
Dr George is a research scientist with more than ten years experience in climate modeling at IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC). He is experienced in fundraising for climate related projects as well as linking climate change to socio-economic well being of developing countries within the IGAD member countries. He has provided support in raising Funds for the establishment of a Climate Prediction Analysis System in Uganda, Djibouti and Burundi under Global Framework for Climate services (GFCS). Besides he has leading roles in climate related project implementing funded by institutions such as DFID, British Redcross, Korean International Cooperation Agency, World Metrological Organization, University of Sussex and Readings United Kingdom. Part-Time Lecturer at Maseno University, Catholic University of East Africa, and South Eastern Kenya University, Kenya
Publications:
Projected effects of global warming levels on the intra-seasonal rainfall characteristics over the Greater Horn of Africa. Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: Suitability of Banana Crop Production to Future Climate Change Over Uganda
People Engagement Expert & ABIF Chairperson Committee
Jane Gikonyo
Education:
Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management, and Bachelor of Arts (Accounts and Economics), both at the University of Nairobi.
Professional Training and Association:
Certified Professional Mediator CPM, Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP-K), Certified Organization Effectiveness Coach, CDI Africa (Certified by ICF), Certified HR Consultant and Trainer, Certificate in Counselling, IHRM. Professional Membership include, Institute of Human Resource Management, Kenya, Member of Women on Boards Network, Suluhu Mediation Centre, Kenya and Toastmasters International
Work Experience:
Human Resource Consultant, Talent Management Expert, Strategy Execution Champion and Organizational Effectiveness Coach in a number of leading blue-chip companies such as Britam Holdings, Jubilee Insurance and Resolution Insurance Limited, covering Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi. Built and implemented highly successful transformative leadership development programs such as: The Leadership Accelerator at Jubilee Insurance, Executive leadership Coaching at Resolution Insurance, Leadership Academy and Women Leadership Forum at Britam Holdings, and a host of Culture Transformation initiatives.
Supply Chains Advisor
Benignas Luyera
Education
Masters of Science in Procurement and Logistics, and Master’s in Business Administration both at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology; Bachelor’s degree in Commerce-University of Nairobi, Diploma in Contemporary Public Administration Management-Galilee Institute IsraelProfessional Training and Association
Strategic Leadership Development Programme (SLDP) at Kenya School of Government; Professional Diploma in Purchasing & Supplies (CIPS 6); Certificate in Public Private Partnership (PPP); Achievement in Senior Management Course (SMC)Work Experience
Director of Supply Chains Management at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Education (State Department of Post training and Skills Development), the County Government of Trans Nzoia, Mbagathi District Hospital, Ministry of Medical Services; Member, Special Audit of Food Security Target Programs by National Irrigation Board (NIB), Director at Nairobi Health Management Board. Head of Procurement Function at Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Youth affairs, Ministry of Environment and natural Resources; Ministry of Water (Provincial Water Office-Nairobi), Head of Secretariat at the Ministry of Finance. Management Committee at Energy Sacco Limited, and Marketing Executive at Alico Insurance Limited.Business Development Expert
Susan W. Maina
Education:
Master of Business Administration – The University of Nairobi. Bachelor of Education Arts – Egerton University. Certified Public Accountants – Kenya Accountants & Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB)
Work Experience:
Consultant and a Corporate Trainer at Bescon Consultants Ltd. Senior Business Development Manager-Farm Concern International- (AFMA Division). Business Development and Marketing Manager (BDM) Spring Board Capital Ltd. Business Development and Marketing Manager (BDM)Shavik Investments Limited. Sales Manager-Daraja Microfinance Bank. Senior Products Innovation and Market Development at Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT). Development Finance Officer at FAULU Microfinance Bank. Campus Staff at University of Nairobi- Fellowship of Christian Unions in Universities and Colleges (FOCUS Kenya). Teachers Service Commission-Senior Teacher
Technical Advisor to the Board
Michael Mugo
“Michael Mugo is the General Manager of CIC Group, and a former Managing Director of CIC Africa Insurance – South Sudan”. He has a total of 20 years’ experience in the Insurance industry and the Co-operative movement. He has served CIC Group in various senior capacitiesincludingSales Management, Corporate Affairs and Communication, Marketing and Strategy.He has undergone extensive training in the areas of leadership, Governance and strategic management.Michael is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) from Strathmore Business School, Lagos Business School and IESE, Barcelona.
He holds an MBA degree from JKUAT with special focus on Strategy and Marketing. He is also a Certified Trainer with the Centre for Corporate Governance – Kenya, and is an ardent advocate for the application of best practice in Corporate Governance within our institutions and business enterprises. he is a member of the Institute Of Directors of Kenya and the institute of Customer Service of Kenya. He is a founding Board of GPS Forum (formerly United Missions International). He is very passionate about programs that help improve the lives of young people and is dedicated to conservation of endangered species and Biodiversity.
Diaspora Linkages
Dr. Tilahun A. Girma
Education:
PhD in Development Studies – University of South Africa (UNISA), MSC in Demography- Addis Ababa University, BSC in Statistics – Addis Ababa University.
Certifications:
Consultancy Skills Training-Ethiopian Consultants Association; Ethiopian National Course on Achieving the Millennium Development Goals-World Bank institute; Certificate in Urban Management and Planning-University College London; Certificate on Migration, Health and Gender Research- Addis Ababa University and Brown University-USA
Consultancy Experience:
ChildFund Ethiopia, Intrahealth International, Ethiopian Catholic Church Social and Development Coordinating Office of Adigrat, Plan International, SOS Children’s Village, Development Alternatives Incorporated, Care International, World Vision Ethiopia, Save the Children International, Department for International Development (DFID), Handicap International, Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Union and NEXUS EMILIA ROMAGNA-Italy, World Food Program, Marie Stops Ethiopia, Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat, , SNV Ethiopia, Pathfinder International.
Publications:
Women in micro and small business in Addis Ababa, Jimma and Hawassa: Socioeconomic characteristics and their situation in business operation.
Beneficiary Mentees Were Spread Across these Universities
Jomo Kenyatta University - Karen
Technical University
Catholic University
Africa International University
Daystar University
Sample Past Events
A Pannel of Experts at a Mentorship Workshop, School of Engineering -University of Nairobi
Mentorship Session in Progress - Kenyatta University, Main Campus
Post -Mentorship Induction Photo Moment at Africa International University-Karen
Business and Life Skills Seminar at Jomo Kenyatta University -Karen Campus
End Semester Enterpreneurship Summit at Catholic University -Langata Campus
Pre-Business Innovation Conference Pleasantries at Technical University of Kenya
Agenda Africa
Without continuous innovation, a society’s socio-economic growth retards. Young people, are an untapped engine of new inventions and transformation. Investing in Young People’s
capacities to innovate is the heart of strategic nation-building. Thus, the vision is to enable our member Organizations and Institutions to establish an effective Business Innovation Program (BIP).
The Development Bank (to be operational soon) will finance all the Business Innovation Programs across Africa.
Because of this, welcome to the ground-breaking Luncheon for The Development Bank on December 9th at All Saints Cathedral-Opposite Serena Hotel in Nairobi.
Sample Universities invited for the Luncheon (30/04/2024)
Kenya Methodist University (Participation/Attendance Confirmed)
Pan African Christian University
Presbyterian University of Eastern Africa
Zetech University
Multi Media University
Marist International University
Chuka
University
KAG East University
Contact Us
Have a question?
Please write to us through the contacts below or send us a direct message.
Business Innovation and Incubation
Center,
KeMU Towers, Mezzanine Floor,
University Way, Opp. University of
Nairobi.
P,O, Box, 22247-00100 Nairobi.
Tel. +254 733 384 480; 0746 133
306
Email: letstalk@gpsforum.org