Albert Wambugu

CEO, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa

Albert joined Hand in Hand Eastern Africa in 2012 as Head of HR & Administration, and has served as CEO since February 2017. He has played a major role in the creation of more than 300,000 businesses and 400,000 jobs in Kenya, as well Hand in Hand’s expansion into Rwanda to help create 115,000 jobs. Before joining Hand in Hand Eastern Africa he spent 13 years in senior roles with CIC Group, one of Kenya’s fastest-growing insurance companies, including five years as HR Manager.

Albert’s belief in Hand in Hand Eastern Africa’s mission – fighting poverty with jobs – goes all the way back to childhood. Growing up on the slopes of the Aberdare Mountains in central Kenya, he split his time between school and the family farm – not unlike many of our members’ children today. “It was a very rustic community, but very close,” he says. “Everybody was brought up in the spirit of having to work hard.”

That spirit, combined with a decades-long history of volunteering in his local community, is what led him to Hand in Hand Eastern Africa.

“You cannot fail to see the difference Hand in Hand Eastern Africa makes in the lives of people who are socially and economically excluded,” said Albert. “I am honoured to be appointed CEO. I have faith in the Hand in Hand Eastern Africa team and believe in the transformative power of our model. We shall continuously challenge ourselves to deliver appropriate and innovative interventions in every session with our clients.”

Albert received a Mastercard Foundation scholarship to attend the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management’s Leadership Winter Academy 2017.

Albert Wambugu is available to speak to the media about development, microfinance, job creation, rural development, financing and women’s empowerment in eastern Africa. To arrange an interview, or to speak with another one of our experts, please contact Ann Dickinson.