Charles Oturi
Summary
Dynamic International Development Consultant with a proven track record at Palladium International, specializing in industrial policy reforms and investment facilitation. Expert in multi-stakeholder engagement and sustainable industrialization, successfully mobilizing $608 million to enhance Kenya’s business environment. Adept at fostering public-private partnerships and driving economic transformation for SMEs.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
International Development Consultant
Freelance International Development Consultant
07.2023 - Current
- Provided strategic advisory services on industrial policy reforms, investment readiness, and sustainable value chain development across key industrial sectors
- Developed frameworks for enhancing financial inclusion, MSME growth, and technology-driven industrialization
- Facilitated high-level stakeholder engagements, supporting industrial and trade development initiatives
- Spearheaded the development of financing mechanisms through blended finance approaches
Regional Agri-Tech & Policy Specialist
UK Government Department for Business & Trade
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Managed a regional program across 26 African countries, promoting industrial and trade linkages between Africa and the UK
- Designed industrialization strategies that enhanced access to markets, finance, and technology for SMEs in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors
- Led cross-sector partnerships that facilitated policy reforms supporting industrial and economic resilience
- Supported business development efforts by identifying funding opportunities and engaging with investors /donors
Team Leader & Market Systems Development Specialist
Lake Regional Economic Block (LREB)
11.2019 - 10.2021
- Spearheaded financial market development initiatives to enhance industrialization and business growth across 14 Kenyan counties
- Led policy advocacy efforts to strengthen regional investment frameworks and industrial competitiveness
- Developed innovative financing mechanisms to support industrial enterprises, focusing on women- and youth-led businesses
- Spearheaded knowledge-sharing initiatives, by developed risk and governance strategies and linking entrepreneurs with technology providers, accelerators, and funding opportunities
Business Environment Enabling & Policy Advisor
Palladium International Limited
10.2018 - 10.2019
- Company Overview: USAID KIM Program
- Contributed to mobilizing $608 million in investments to improve Kenya’s business environment, focusing on agricultural sector growth and policy improvement
- Led policy reforms supporting enterprise development and digital transformation in the agriculture and industrial sectors
- Designed and implemented programs for SMEs and women-led enterprises to enhance business competitiveness
- Facilitated the expansion of funding for agricultural digital economy initiatives and advising on areas for improvement by identifying need/opportunity for new interventions
- USAID KIM Program
Private Sector Specialist/Consultant
Management Systems International
02.2018 - 09.2018
- Participated in the end-of-project performance evaluation of the USAID Feed the Future Kenya Innovation Engine and USAID Kenya Agricultural Value Chain Enterprises programs to determine success in promoting private sector activities in Kenya
- Developed an evaluation methodology, including defining research questions, developing sampling frameworks and creating survey instruments
- Conducted fieldwork, contributed to dissemination of results and participated in presentations, workshops and a post-evaluation action plans
- Contributed in preparing the final evaluation report to USAID, the program donor
Strategic Technical Advisor - Ministry of Trade and Industry
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Co-developed Rwanda’s industrial and creative economy strategy, aligning trade policies to promote inclusive economic growth through technical cooperation
- Led investment promotion initiatives, supporting policy development to enhance industrial trade competitiveness
- Provided high-level advisory support to government officials on trade facilitation and industrial investment policies
- Gathered and analyzed data on trade trends to complete assessments and determine solutions/priorities in promoting economic development through increased exports
Head, Business Advisory Services
Equity Investment Bank Limited
01.2014 - 12.2015
- Designed financial literacy and enterprise development programs to support industrial sector growth
- Collaborated with the MasterCard Foundation to expand financial inclusion for SMEs in the industrial and manufacturing sectors
- Provided advisory support to facilitate enterprise growth through business development, resource mobilization, and strategic planning
- Led strategic planning efforts, optimizing financial outcomes and ensuring governance compliance with organizational standards
Regional Business Advisor
Technoserve Solutions for African Food Enterprises
02.2010 - 12.2013
- Company Overview: SAFE Program
- Spearheaded private sector engagement in industrial food processing and market systems development
- Facilitated technology adoption and access to finance for industrial SMEs
- In collaboration with experts from Partners in Food Solutions of the USA
- Strengthened market systems and access to finance for businesses jointly with local financial institutions and cooperatives
- Represented Technoserve in dealings with stakeholders and organized workshops to facilitate training and knowledge sharing
- SAFE Program
Deputy Director (programs)
TechnoServe East Africa Dairy Development Program
02.2006 - 12.2009
- Managed strategy, programs, and work plans covering the implementation of a USAID-funded program covering four East African countries
- Provide daily management, coaching and mentorship, and career development and training opportunities to all direct reporting staff
- Managed budgeting and reporting activities as part of donor liaison and financial oversight management
- Led county teams in fundraising activities by coordinating and developing concept papers and proposals
Kenya Commercial Bank Limited
03.1989 - 07.2004
- Held senior roles (including Head of Credit Division and Head of SME financing), focusing on industrial sector financing and trade facilitation and business development and business promotion in Kenya
Ministry of Cooperatives and Trade
07.1988 - 02.1989
- Provided technical oversight on SME and industrial development policies for purposes of promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth
Education
Post-Graduate Diploma - Financial Management
Maastricht School of Management
Netherlands04.2009
Post-Graduate Diploma - Project Planning and Management
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya09.2007
MSc - Finance and Investments
University of Exeter
Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom11.2005
MBA - Strategic Management
Maastricht School of Management
11.2003
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Administration
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya11.1988
Skills
- Industrial development and policy advisory
- Investment facilitation and economic transformation
- Program and portfolio management
- Governance, risk and compliance
- Multi-stakeholder engagement
- Public-Private Partnerships
Affiliations
- Associate Member, Kenya Institute of Management
- Member, Institute of Project Management – Kenya Chapter
Certification
Google Project Management Certificate
Training And Development
- Business Dynamics - Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands
- Youth Employability and Entrepreneurship – The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP)
- Gender Responsive Economic Policy Management – The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP)
- Urbanization and Inclusive Economic Growth in Africa – (IDEP)
- Women and Youth Empowerment in Agriculture in the Context of AfCFTA (IDEP)
- Enhancing MSME Consulting Skills - (IFC)
- Institutional Development and Organizational Strengthening - MDF Training & Consultancy
- Organizational Development for Advisors and Consultants - MDF Training & Consultancy
- International Advisory Course (MDF Training and Consultancy, Netherlands)
- Cochran Fellowship Program (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Timeline
International Development Consultant
Freelance International Development Consultant
07.2023 - Current
Regional Agri-Tech & Policy Specialist
UK Government Department for Business & Trade
11.2021 - 06.2023
Team Leader & Market Systems Development Specialist
Lake Regional Economic Block (LREB)
11.2019 - 10.2021
Business Environment Enabling & Policy Advisor
Palladium International Limited
10.2018 - 10.2019
Private Sector Specialist/Consultant
Management Systems International
02.2018 - 09.2018
Strategic Technical Advisor - Ministry of Trade and Industry
Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
01.2016 - 01.2018
Head, Business Advisory Services
Equity Investment Bank Limited
01.2014 - 12.2015
Regional Business Advisor
Technoserve Solutions for African Food Enterprises
02.2010 - 12.2013
Deputy Director (programs)
TechnoServe East Africa Dairy Development Program
02.2006 - 12.2009
Kenya Commercial Bank Limited
03.1989 - 07.2004
Ministry of Cooperatives and Trade
07.1988 - 02.1989
Post-Graduate Diploma - Financial Management
Maastricht School of Management
Post-Graduate Diploma - Project Planning and Management
University of Nairobi
MSc - Finance and Investments
University of Exeter
MBA - Strategic Management
Maastricht School of Management
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Administration
University of Nairobi
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