GFA Hub East Africa: We will expand partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders across East Africa
Kudzai Mubaiwa is the new Regional Manager for GFA’s East Africa Hub since January. Born in Zimbabwe, she holds a Masters in Development Finance and an Executive Masters in Social Business and Entrepreneurship. Her focus is on improving delivery efficiency, deepening regional engagement, and positioning the hub as a strategic platform for GFA’s work in the region. In our interview, Kudzai speaks about her initial assessment and her future plans.
Kudzai, what impressions and highlights have you taken away from your first few weeks in your new role?
The first weeks have been very positive and focused on understanding project portfolios and team capacities across the region. I have been impressed by the professionalism of the team and the breadth of ongoing work. There is clear potential to strengthen coordination and visibility of impact.
What attracted you to the position of Hub Manager? What makes working in this office with a regional responsibility so special?
The hub model enables strategic oversight, proximity to implementation, and opportunity to strengthen delivery systems while building partnerships that support long-term impact. This combination made the position particularly compelling.
You have a strong background in finance and twelve years of experience in the private sector in the fields of digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-ups. How important are these business-focused skills for your current role – and for the role of the hub?
The hub must operate with strong systems, clear processes, and an adaptive mindset. My experience in entrepreneurship and digital innovation supports effective team management and problem-solving in dynamic environments, capabilities that strengthen project delivery and stakeholder engagement.
Thanks to your previous work and years of experience, you have an excellent local network. What are you hearing in conversations: How is the GFA Hub East Africa, founded in 2025, perceived by stakeholders and partners?
Stakeholders view the hub as a valuable regional coordination point that enhances responsiveness and local presence. Partners appreciate closer engagement and clearer communication channels. Overall, the hub is seen as a strategic addition to GFA’s regional footprint.
The hub in Kenya is still building up, the team is growing. What projects do you want to implement next? What ideas and impetus are you bringing to successfully advance the work at the hub?
The immediate priority is strengthening internal systems and team capacity to support efficient project coordination. We will continue to expand partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders across East Africa. The hub will also serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and learning across projects. Over time, we aim to build a strong pipeline aligned with regional development priorities and sustainable transformation.
