Why I Joined Africa Bridge and What I Hope to Contribute
I joined the Board of Africa Bridge because its mission speaks directly to the values that have guided my life’s work: empowering rural communities, uplifting the most vulnerable, and driving sustainable change culminating with intergenerational wealth creation. The Africa Bridge model, centered on enabling families to help themselves while improving the lives of children, resonates deeply with me. Having worked in rural development for decades, I’ve seen that lasting transformation begins with practical, community-led solutions. Africa Bridge has found a powerful way to do just that, and I was particularly impressed by the rate of lowering poverty in Southern Tanzania villages, from over 70% to below 40%.
My background is in agricultural economics and development policy. I have spent over 30 years teaching, researching, and advising governments and institutions across Africa. I’ve served on boards and committees overseeing inclusive finance, agribusiness, and rural innovation, always with a view toward building systems that are scalable, impactful, and rooted in local realities. From advising on Tanzania’s long-term development plans to leading organizations like the Private Agricultural Sector Support Trust, The CRDB Bank PLC,Africa Guarantee Fund, Technoserve, The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides authority and The Financial Sector Deepening Trust, I’ve been fortunate to work where governance meets grassroots transformation.
As a Board Member, I hope to support Africa Bridge as it transitions from implementing its model directly to facilitating its adoption by others. I look forward to contributing strategic guidance on model improvements e.g. on access to finance for farmers, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, governance, and growth while ensuring the model’s impact is amplified across rural Tanzania and time allowing Africa. AB provides a good ground for me to pursue further my research interests on rural development. I also hope to help raise awareness of the evidence-backed results Africa Bridge has achieved through publications, and to champion its vision in spaces where policy, research, and funding intersect.
It is a privilege to be part of a team committed to practical, compassionate change. I believe that with clear vision, collaborative spirit, and deep community trust, Africa Bridge will continue to be a model of hope, and a pathway to prosperity, for many more families.