David oversees the Africa portfolio of TWFA, based at the regional headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. This includes development of technical strategy, overall portfolio management, and regional expansion.
He has a long-standing background in private sector development and value-chain market facilitation, and is the principal contact in the region for all TWFA-related efforts.
Based in Kigali, Elizabeth oversees finance and accounting for all tea greenfield operations in the region. She has more than 20 years of experience in finance and accounting in the commercial agriculture sector through Chief Accountant and Finance Manager positions with Kakuzi Ltd., and Dominion Farms Ltd. Elizabeth is a Certified Public Accountant (ICPAK member) and has an MBA from Strathmore University.
Etienne provides operational oversight and technical backstopping of SCON (N) and SCON (S) from his base in Kigali. He has more than 20 years of experience in the tea and coffee sectors. Etienne previously worked for the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) and has served as Country Manager for Rainforest Alliance, as well as Director General of the Rwandan Coffee Board. He was also the Founder and General Manager of the Rwandan Smallholder Specialty Coffee Company (RWASHOSCCO). Etienne has a Master of Agribusiness from Texas A&M University.
Filbert is based in Karongi District, Rwanda and oversees the Rugabano greenfield project. Filbert has almost 25 years of experience in agriculture in the public and private sectors, with a focus on agricultural research, management of the tea value chain, standards and certification, quality assurance and farmer extension. He previously worked with Mufindi Tea and Coffee Company and the Ministry of Agriculture in Tanzania, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Tanzania Smallholders Tea Development Agency (TSHTDA), and, most recently with the Njombe Outgrowers Services Company as General Manger. Filbert is a trained Agricultural Economist and holds an MSc in Agricultural Economics and Project Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture and University of Salford business school Manchester.
Mathew is responsible for providing technical backstopping to the Njombe Outgrowers Services Company senior management team. He has more than 30 years’ experience in commercial tea field and factory operations and has built significant expertise in smallholder engagement through senior management roles at KTDA. He also served as Operations Director for TWFA operations in Tanzania. Mathew has a Bachelor’s degree from Kenyatta University and two Masters Degree in Project Management from the University of Nairobi and University of Salford Business School.
Elizabeth is responsible for sustainability and impact initiatives, including monitoring, evaluation, learning, safeguarding, social development, and climate change. She plays a key role in the assessment and design of new initiatives. She has more than 15 years’ experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning, as well as programme management in organisations including Forum Syd, Catholic Relief Services and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA). Elizabeth holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi and a Masters in International and Community Development from Deakin University.
Vincent is based in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda where he manages all operational, finance and administrative matters for the SCON farmer services companies. He has more than 10 years of experience in tea extension and smallholders’ cooperative management in the tea sector having previously worked for a large tea smallholders’ cooperative in Rwanda, Mulindi Factory Company, and the Rwanda Local Government. Vincent has a degree in Agribusiness and Rural Development from University of Rwanda, and a Master of Development Studies from Kigali Independent University.
Shukrani is an accredited Farmer Field Schools Trainer and Facilitator and plays a central role in our farmer training activities in Tanzania and Rwanda. Shukrani holds a Masters degree in Agriculture Extension Services specialising in agribusiness training and is experienced in Rainforest Alliance certification, commercial extension, hybrid farming and food safety. Prior to joining TWFA in 2018, Shukrani worked with the USAID, AGRA, EU and TRIT.
Halima coordinates the finance, administrative and logistics functions for TWFA based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Her role includes supporting the set-up of new investment vehicles in Tanzania and aiding in compliance with statutory requirements.
Jennifer provides financial and administrative support to the TWFA Rwanda’s office, assisting in its day to day operations. She is the contact for in-country logistical support and assists in contracting and mobilization processes for staff and consultants.