Prior to joining AAIC, I was the CFO of an E-commerce start-up company in Rwanda invested by one of the biggest Japanese IT companies. I was leading the finance team, in charge of corporate governance implementation. I was also engaged in power infrastructure industry focusing on IPP/IWPP for 7 years.
Currently, I am in charge of an investment fund, growing businesses together with leading startup entrepreneurs. I have been hooked with African society since I was a student. Putting yourself in this highly emerging African market would give you stimulations and would push yourself out of your comfort zone.

Based in Kenya, I am mainly in charge of supporting the expansion of Japanese companies into Africa (strategic consulting).
Not only European and American companies, but also Chinese and Indian companies are actively expanding into Africa, and global competition is unfolding.
It is highly competitive and challenging. I think that the real thrill of our company is the dynamism of formulating a strategy based on the research we conducted while working hard in putting it into action.

I joined AAIC in 2023 and am now engaged in consulting services at the Nairobi office, helping Japanese companies expand into Africa by conducting market research and developing entry strategies based on the research. Prior to joining AAIC, I worked for a global consulting firm, based mainly in Tokyo, but also worked in Johannesburg, South Africa for six months. After that, I interned at a subsidiary of a Japanese company in Tanzania and worked at a Japanese start-up company before joining the firm. During my student days, I worked in Tanzania as a volunteer.

I have been involved in Africa from different perspectives. I believe that facing the African market through the lens of Japanese companies and providing support close to the clients’ business is what makes AAIC unique and interesting.

Based on my experience working as a bridge between countries for Japan’s interest in the public sector, it was a career shift for me to join AAIC and support the business expansion from private sector.

The appeal of AAIC is that it offers you a work environment with open communication, where you can work proactively and expeditiously and deepen your knowledge and insights through projects, and you can realise your individual growth goals.

In my early career, I joined a major IT company as a new graduate and worked in retail sales, corporate sales, and sales planning for advertising and business support products.

At AAIC, I engaged in consulting projects such as supporting the Asian expansion of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and assisting with overseas new business ventures. Currently, I serve as the Sales and Marketing Lead for AAIC’s direct investment project in East Africa—an agricultural venture known as OSTI.

Being at the forefront of emerging market business, where no Japanese had ventured before, allows me to directly shape business outcomes and deliver value to our clients. Moreover, it contributes to the growth of both Japan and the emerging countries. Yet, the thrill of traveling the world, negotiating with partners and clients, and occasionally engaging with government officials—to experience the dynamics of global business firsthand—is what makes AAIC an ideal fit for those seeking such opportunities

As a student, I visited 10 African countries and became interested in African business. In Africa, where there are still few Japanese companies, it is rare to find a company like AAIC that is taking on the challenge of consulting, investment, and other diverse approaches, and I wanted to work with people from a variety of backgrounds to carry out projects of high social and economic value. My days in Nigeria are a lot of trouble, but I am very excited to witness the opportunity to find/create a new market with local people by learning about the local reality and people’s insights.

I joined AAIC in 2022 after leaving a leading multinational B2B FMCG startup where I worked as a strategy and operations analyst. In my previous company, I had acquired a diverse skill set that would be highly applicable in the consulting side but my scope while working for the startup was limited. When I joined AAIC Kenya, I felt that the organization offered me the opportunity to apply my strategic thinking and analytical skills to provide impactful solutions to a wide range of companies, in different sectors looking to venture into Africa. The team was also very welcoming and supportive. My nature of work involves conducting market research, competitive analysis, due diligence and strategic support to Japanese pharmaceutical, FMCG and logistics companies looking to venture into Africa. For the first time, I felt that I played a part in the economic and industrial growth in Africa. AAIC has given me the opportunity to be impactful not only to society through my work, but also to learn and grow as an individual.

Since my student days, I have been fascinated by the dynamism, chaos, and humanity of emerging economies, inspired by my travels in Asia and South America and my internship in Africa. After graduating, I joined a newspaper company, but my desire to work in emerging markets led me to this company by chance.

Since joining, I have been involved in researching healthcare markets in Africa and Asia and supporting Japanese companies with strategies for market entry and business expansion.  Currently, I focus on supporting business expansion into India, a country experiencing rapid economic growth. Navigating India’s complex economic landscape and unique business culture, I find it fulfilling to identify patterns and universal principles and translate them into actionable strategies.

I believe that AAIC’s strength lies in being one of the few companies genuinely committed to helping clients from diverse industries expand their businesses in emerging markets.

I first joined AAIC as an undergraduate intern, and upon graduating from Yale-NUS College in Singapore, joined the team officially as an Associate. Having spent most of my childhood and adolescent years in several different countries, I was strongly motivated to join a company with international exposure. My job scope encompasses market research, market-entry strategy development, and business strategy development for various industry segments including telecommunications, infrastructure, electronics, automobile, cosmetics and public health.
If I were to choose one thing about AAIC that I appreciate the most, it would be the people; Everyone is a team player, and generously takes time out of their busy schedules without hesitation to guide and advise those who seek it.

As a graduate of Singapore Institute of Technology with Honours with Distinction in Pharmaceutical Engineering, I developed a foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving.

Though my background is in pharmaceutical engineering, my curiosity about the world and eagerness to learn led me to pursue a career in consulting at AAIC. I see market research and consulting as an incredible opportunity to expand my horizons, learn from others, and contribute to impactful projects across Asia and Africa. What I particularly appreciate about working at AAIC is the collaborative environment and the shared commitment to making a meaningful impact in the regions we serve and with the clients we support. Being part of such a dedicated and passionate team has been a truly rewarding experience.