<h1>Press Release: Octavia Carbon Raises Capital to Advance Carbon Capture Technology</h1>Innovative Solutions to Combat Climate Change through Carbon Capture<a href="https://latest-api.renewcapital.com//uploads/2024_02_01_FINAL_Octavia_Press_Release_7bc5259226.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the full press release</a> NAIROBI, Kenya, January 2, 2024&nbsp;—Octavia Carbon, based in Kenya, has secured investment to advance its Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, focusing on CO2 extraction from the atmosphere. The company aims to combat climate change by designing, building and deploying machines that directly capture atmospheric CO2 using DAC technology.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/Octavia_6b74c082d5.jpg">"Carbon capture technologies have a crucial role to play in addressing climate change," stated Martin Freimüller, founder and CEO of Octavia Carbon. "Our DAC technology will help reduce carbon emissions in the global pursuit for a net-zero future."Octavia Carbon provides carbon credits for purchase, enabling companies and individuals to offset their carbon footprint affordably while forging a path to offering climate justice to communities in Kenya. The company is leveraging Kenya’s natural geothermal, geology and talent for cost-effective operations."Octavia Carbon's innovative technology and recognition of the growing demand for durable and verifiable carbon credits in the carbon market continues to position Africa as an active contributor to global climate solutions," said Esther Mwikali, Investment Manager at Renew Capital. "We're excited to support Octavia in their&nbsp; efforts." The investment received by Octavia Carbon emphasizes the importance of innovative climate solutions and Africa's role in contributing to a more sustainable future.

Innovative Solutions to Combat Climate Change through Carbon Capture

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Press Release: Octavia Carbon Raises Capital to Advance Carbon Capture Technology

Renew Capital has a presence in 14 African countries. We aim to provide insight into Africa's startup scene, along with the opportunities and challenges it presents through a series of blogs from our in-country team. If you share our passion for developing entrepreneurship in Africa, we invite you to check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/careers">open roles</a>.&nbsp;<h1>How a&nbsp;Passion for Sustainability and Investing in Africa led Lucas Robinson to Renew Capital</h1>Welcome to the 'Journey to Renew Capital' Q&amp;A featuring Lucas Robinson, Renew Capital’s principal of consulting, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. Lucas has previously lived and invested in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. With extensive experience in international development and entrepreneurship, Lucas is passionate about sustainability and brings this passion to our projects and investments. In our conversation, we explored his thoughts on the transformative potential of investing in Africa, as well as his vision for the future of African ventures.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/1702462420761_37868eaad6.jpeg"></figure>From left to right: Mikael Gånge (Roam), Hanif Pabani (Global Affairs Canada), Christopher Thornley (Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya), Lucas Robinson, Esther Mwikali.Thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk with us. We're eager to learn more about you. Please share something about yourself with our readers.Where to begin? I was born and raised outside Ottawa, Canada. My first job was delivering newspapers to my neighbors on Wednesday evenings after school when I was 12. The “Manotick Messenger.” Everything else kind of follows from there.You've navigated through various roles in your career, showcasing a diverse set of skills and experiences. Despite this diversity, is there a common thread that ties your professional journey together?Yes, my friends often make fun of my LinkedIn page. I think sustainability is a strong theme in my work and something that has been coming from different angles for a long time.&nbsp;How does sustainability feature - practically speaking - in the work that you do now, with your team at Renew Capital?It’s a critically important theme for us. We’ve done several trainings on this theme for companies from across the continent. We’ve also recently integrated sustainability metrics into our investment contracts; as far as I know, we’re one of the only venture capital firms in Africa that actively encourages investees to&nbsp;reduce the accrued interest of our investment by helping them to measure and meaningfully reduce their environmental impact. We’ve done the same on gender metrics - which is also awesome!&nbsp;Given your extensive experience spanning over 20 years in investing in and managing businesses and projects in frontier markets, how has this influenced your belief in the transformative potential of investment in Africa?Yeah, I guess you could say I’m a believer. Partly born out of the frustration I felt in the early part of my career in the international development space. I think there are some great people in that industry, and I think that there have been some really important&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bond.org.uk/news/2020/08/farewell-to-dfid-10-key-achievements-from-the-last-23-years/">wins</a> that too often get overlooked by folks, but on balance, it wasn’t right for me. I wanted to have a different kind of impact, and I could see that the private sector was playing a really important role in this regard.&nbsp;So I started building and investing in startups on the continent. Some have done well, leading to hundreds of jobs, a reasonable financial return and lasting positive environmental impact. Others less so. That’s the nature of these things.&nbsp;Looking ahead, what aspirations or goals do you have for your continued involvement in African ventures and how do you envision contributing to their growth and development in the future?Renew Capital has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to meet hundreds of entrepreneurs from across the continent and in some cases to see their companies take off. I’m really happy playing a small part in that, as part of our internal Investment Committee and as one of the many people that’s working to build our entrepreneur training programs. It’s really rewarding work, and I look forward to continuing with that in even more countries as we work to expand our company footprint across the continent.&nbsp;

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How a Passion for Sustainability and Investing in Africa led Lucas Robinson to Renew Capital

<h1>Press Release: Kenyan Startup Farm to Feed Fighting Food Loss</h1>Renew Capital recently made an investment in the B2B platform Farm to Feed, which targets unused produce, enhancing sustainability and farmer livelihoods <a href="https://latest-api.renewcapital.com/uploads/2024_23_04_FINAL_Farm_to_Feed_Press_Release_971448cf62.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the full press release</a> NAIROBI, KENYA, April 23, 2024 — With more than a billion tons of food wasted on farms each year globally, Kenya's <a href="https://www.farmtofeedkenya.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Farm to Feed </a>is stepping up with a solution. Their simple B2B platform is addressing some of the 40% of uneaten food by finding new uses for surplus and less-than-perfect produce.<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/PHOTO_2024_04_15_10_30_42_24827e4a5e.jpg"></figure>The company’s tech-enabled platform is revolutionizing Kenya's agriculture sector by aggregating supply and demand, optimizing logistics and providing seamless customer interactions.“Our goal at Farm to Feed is to transform the way food is valued and utilized in Kenya,” says Claire van Enk, managing director of Farm to Feed. “We're dedicated to reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture, boosting farmer incomes and making nutritious food more accessible and affordable for all.”The company is making a significant difference in the way food is sourced, distributed, and consumed, setting a new standard for food sustainability in Kenya and beyond.“Farm to Feed embodies the kind of innovative spirit and determination we value at Renew Capital,” said Esther Mwikali senior investment manager at Renew Capital. “We're committed to backing growth-oriented founders who possess a blend of skill, grit and passion. Farm to Feed's work in transforming Kenya's food system aligns perfectly with these values.”

Renew Capital recently made an investment in the B2B platform Farm to Feed, which targets unused produce, enhancing sustainability and farmer livelihoods


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Press Release: Kenyan Startup Farm to Feed Fighting Food Loss

<h1>Press Release: Roam Secures $24M in Series A Funding to Accelerate Innovation and Electric Vehicle Production in Kenya</h1>Expanding local manufacturing to propel Africa toward sustainable transportation<a href="https://latest-api.renewcapital.com/uploads/2024_16_02_FINAL_Roam_Press_Release_4ff76b266d.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the full press release&nbsp;</a>NAIROBI, Kenya,&nbsp;February 16, 2024— <a href="https://www.roam-electric.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Roam</a>, a Kenya-based electric mobility leader in electric vehicle (EV) innovation in Africa, is set to expand its operations in Kenya significantly following a $24M Series A funding round.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/09_Roam_Rapid_522b216ee1.jpg"></figure>This funding round was led by Equator Africa and includes investments from Renew Capital, At One Ventures, TES Ventures, The World We Want, and One Small Planet, among other prominent private and institutional investors. Included in the $24M is a commitment from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide Roam with an up to $10M debt facility.Roam will use the investment to enhance the local manufacturing capabilities at their 10,000 sqm facility (East Africa’s largest electric motorcycle assembly plant), invest in production tooling for cost reductions and streamline both local and global supply chain networks.&nbsp;Since its inception in 2017, Roam has been committed to creating a greener, more sustainable future for Africa. The investment will support Roam's long-term goal of transitioning Africa's public transport sector to effective, affordable electric buses and motorcycles.&nbsp;“Renew Capital is committed to backing innovative leaders like Roam, who bring a unique combination of skills, determination, and passion to their work,” says Esther Mwikali, Renew Capital Investment and Project Manager. “Roam's dedication to transforming Africa's transportation system resonates deeply with our investment philosophy. We're honored to be part of their journey in redefining African transport, making it more efficient, sustainable and eco-friendly.”"DFC is proud to support initiatives like Roam that align with our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability,” said James Polan, Vice President of the Office of Development Credit at DFC. “This significant transaction will support the expansion of Roam's electric mobility offerings and resonates with our goals for a cleaner future."Nijhad Jamal, Partner at Equator, stated, "At Equator, we are committed to building a future with efficient, accessible, and sustainable mobility. Roam's innovative electric mobility platform is at the forefront of this transformation, and we are proud to provide catalytic funding that will enable Roam to build a cleaner, more equitable future for African cities."Rajal Upadhyaya, CFO of Roam, expressed gratitude for the investor support, saying, "As Africa embraces the move toward electric vehicle technology, we are proud of our impact on the environment and livelihoods across Kenya and the wider continent. This funding is a critical step for Roam to achieve our strategic objectives in scaling up and increasing utility to our customers."Roam's commitment to innovation and sustainability was recently highlighted during a visit by Kenya's President, His Excellency William Ruto, to the Roam Park facility. The president's visit underscores the national and international significance of Roam's work in advancing green technology and manufacturing in the region.

Expanding local manufacturing to propel Africa toward sustainable transportation

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Press Release: Roam Secures $24M in Series A Funding to Accelerate Innovation and Electric Vehicle Production in Kenya

<h1>Press Release: Renew Capital Angels Invest in Tappi to Expand Digital Marketing Solution for African SMEs&nbsp;</h1>African company offers innovative solutions to craft digital identities and drive growth!<a href="https://latest-api.renewcapital.com/uploads/2024_05_02_FINAL_Tappi_Press_Release_0ddbbbc0d7.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the full press release</a>NAIROBI, Kenya, February 5, 2024&nbsp;—&nbsp;Imagine creating your online identity in under two minutes and immediately accessing your target market through streamlined access to Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads and more. Using payments like mobile money, <a href="https://tappi.app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tappi</a>, a Pan-African startup, allows African SMEs to do just that and continues to enhance its digital offerings following a recent investment by Renew Capital Angels. The company's innovative end-to-end SaaS and enterprise-grade tools are designed to revolutionize how small and medium businesses establish their online presence, offering streamlined tools for website creation, customer engagement and effective online advertising.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Tappi_team_b0596166dc.jpg"></figure>"Tappi is a catalyst for SMEs entering the digital world and with the investment, we are set to amplify this transformation across Africa’s diverse markets. We are enthusiastic about leveraging this investment to deepen our connections with SMEs on the continent” says the co-founder of Tappi Kenfield Griffith while talking about the platform's impact. Tappi's intuitive chat tool, embedded by AI, facilitates seamless webpage setup, ensuring businesses are visible online. The company’s solution also enhances customer communication via WhatsApp which reduces operational costs and facilitates direct transactions and feedback collection.Building on their success with Ajua, where they developed customer experience tools for major banks and operators, Tappi's founders Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja are now channeling their expertise into bespoke digital solutions for SMEs. Tappi goes beyond marketing and presence, capturing verified customer reviews to bolster business trust, credibility and insights.“Tappi’s operations in high-growth markets with increasing demand for digital marketing solutions and online presence solutions for small and growing businesses in Africa is remarkable. Their passion, grit and impact are among some of the things we look for at Renew Capital,” says Renew Capital's Investment Manager for Kenya, Esther Mwikali. “The founders' deep industry knowledge, extensive networks and a strong understanding of the African market, having successfully built and scaled businesses in the region before, is what we believe drives real change. We are delighted to partner with Tappi to transform how SMEs engage customers and manage their online footprint.”

African company offers innovative solutions to craft digital identities and drive growth!


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Press Release: Renew Capital Angels Invest in Tappi to Expand Digital Marketing Solution for African SMEs 

<h1>Press Release: Scale Secures Investment to Digitize Procurement in Africa</h1>Scale's platform modernizes procurement, empowering African businesses with efficiency and transparency<a href="https://latest-api.renewcapital.com//uploads/2023_22_12_FINAL_Scale_Press_Release_2d0a3deb03.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the Full Press Release&nbsp;</a>NAIROBI, Kenya (December 22, 2023)&nbsp;—&nbsp;Procurement in Africa has traditionally been hindered by inefficiency, high costs and opaque operations. Scale, based in Kenya, is transforming this critical business function by streamlining procurement, automating workflows and cutting operational expenses.<img src="/uploads/31bcea3f_efc1_4523_82ad_a44be7b74732_3cd83dee52.JPG">For suppliers, Scale opens a growth-oriented marketplace, offering tools that demystify bid management. For buyers, the platform delivers a suite of features that enhance internal procedure management and unlock new efficiencies."Scale is reshaping procurement in Africa,” said <a href="https://ke.linkedin.com/in/marvintumbo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marvin Tumbo</a>, Co-founder &amp; CEO of Scale, emphasizing the platform's breadth. “We're moving beyond simply streamlining tasks to granting buyers and suppliers clear, controlled and strategic procurement processes."Scale seeks to utilize Renew Capital's support to expand its platform's capabilities, further enabling efficient and transparent procurement processes across Africa."We're thrilled to back Scale's pursuit of procurement excellence,” says Esther Mwikali, Investment &amp; Project Manager at Renew Capital. “Their platform addresses critical needs for buyers and businesses, charting a new course for African commerce."

Scale's platform modernizes procurement, empowering African businesses with efficiency and transparency

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Press Release: Scale Secures Investment to Digitize Procurement in Africa

Renew Capital's operations have expanded to nine African countries. We aim to provide insight into Africa's startup scene, along with the opportunities and challenges it presents through a series of blogs from our team on the ground. If you share our passion for developing entrepreneurship in Africa, we invite you to check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/careers">open roles</a>.&nbsp;<h1>My Journey to Renew Capital: Get to know Antony Maina&nbsp;</h1>Navigating the marathon of career, impact, entrepreneurship and family<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Image_20231130_150400_924_251f971004.jpeg"></figure>Welcome to the latest feature of our ‘Journey to Renew Capital’ blog series. In this interview, we speak with Antony Maina, Marketing and Communications Manager about his journey to Renew Capital, what entrepreneurship means to him, family life and a lot more.&nbsp;Antony, it’s wonderful to have you with us. Growing up in Eldoret, Kenya a town quite famous for its athletes, how did this influence your unique career path, particularly your passion for communications and entrepreneurship?My hometown of Eldoret, Kenya is known as the “home of champions” because of the many elite long-distance runners it has produced. Compared to other cities like Mombasa and Nairobi it felt more like a village where everyone knew everyone even though it is a metropolitan town. We all went to the same schools and would meet in the same churches. The one thing that brought everyone together was athletics, with the main stadium in the town — “Kipchoge Keino Stadium” — named after Kenya's first Olympic gold medalist. Coming across droves of runners as they practiced for their marathons was a usual sight.&nbsp;While I admired the runners, my journey was destined for a different track. I was more drawn into entrepreneurship so after completing my undergraduate studies, I immediately started out as a freelance blog writer. This experience was my introduction to the world of communications and storytelling. I found myself drawn to stories about businesses and this marked the start of my path towards understanding entrepreneurship.You've had a diverse career across various organizations before joining Renew Capital. How have these experiences shaped your understanding of entrepreneurship and its role in addressing global challenges?Each experience has been a building block in my understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape, especially in developing economies. Prior to Renew Capital, my role at the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) was particularly transformative. I led our work in Ethiopia and Rwanda and also spearheaded the Argidius-ANDE Talent Challenge, which was a unique challenge that sought innovative programs that addressed the challenge that many businesses encounter that is identifying, attracting and retaining middle- and senior-level managers.&nbsp;I also led the mapping of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Rwanda and Ethiopia. This was eye-opening too as it underscored the critical gap in financing for small and growing businesses – a gap that, if filled, could catalyze significant progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Well, the bottom line is - I strongly believe that entrepreneurship is an underleveraged tool in the fight against poverty and many other global challenges that we face today. Entrepreneurs are innovative and are wired to create solutions. With the right support, entrepreneurs can be a driving force for sustainable economic growth.&nbsp;That's a powerful insight. How did this perspective lead you to Renew Capital, and how has your first year there been?I first came across Renew Capital in 2018, while I was still with ANDE. We hosted a few events with the team in Addis Ababa and Nairobi and that gave me a driver's seat view of their culture, vision and beliefs. Oh, and did I say there was a podcast too? Well, Renew Capital was at the time running a series of podcasts that I loved listening to on my way to work. Their vision and passion for transforming Africa's narrative from an aid-dependent to an investment-ready continent deeply resonated with me. At the time, Renew Capital was in Ethiopia and had just opened an office in Uganda marking the start of its pan-Africa expansion. Joining Renew Capital therefore felt like a natural next step in my journey.&nbsp;My first year has been exhilarating. Like many entrepreneurs we support, Renew Capital is fast-paced. New ideas are generated daily with those that don’t work being put quickly to rest.&nbsp; You can feel the entrepreneurial energy once you step into the room. The team’s diverse backgrounds contribute to a rich mix of perspectives that fosters a dynamic environment where innovative solutions to complex challenges are encouraged and implemented on a daily basis. And by the way, if that sounds like a team that you would like to join, check out the current&nbsp;<a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/careers">job opportunities</a>.&nbsp;How has it been managing the first-paced work at Renew Capital with your family life? Is there such a thing as balance?Finding a balance between work and family life is like trying to dance on a moving train, you just have to go with the flow. My twins keep me on my toes. They’re a constant reminder of why the work we do is crucial. It’s about creating a world where they and other children like them, can thrive. I want to instill in them an entrepreneurial spirit, the courage to innovate and make a difference.What are your hopes for the future?Looking ahead, I see a world where entrepreneurship is at the heart of sustainable development. At Renew Capital, we're just scratching the surface of what's possible. Africa’s brimming with potential and people are beginning to recognize the continent's untapped wealth and opportunities. For example, the African Development Bank highlights that Africa holds 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, abundant fresh water and about 300 days of sunshine each year. Furthermore, with Africa's population projected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050 and continue growing to 4.2 billion over the next century, the potential market for new businesses is enormous.I believe Africa’s economic growth is largely going to be driven by entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial thinking. As our Co-CEO Matt Davis says, “Africa’s moment is now.” Here are more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.renewcapital.com/newsroom/embracing-africas-startup-revolution">reasons</a> why.&nbsp;

Finding a balance between work and family life is like trying to dance on a moving train, you just have to go with the flow.

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My Journey to Renew Capital: Get to know Antony Maina 

<h1 style="margin-left:0px;">Press Release: Renew Capital Angels Invest in Kenyan Fintech FlexPay</h1>FlexPay is reshaping the financial services landscape in Africa with its flexible and affordable payment alternatives<a href="https://latest-api.renewcapital.com/uploads/FINAL_Flex_Pay_Press_Release_c41e2406d2.pdf " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download the Full Press Release&nbsp;</a>Nairobi, Kenya, September 5, 2023 —- Renew Capital Angels have invested in an innovative Kenyan fintech,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flexpay.co.ke/">FlexPay</a>.&nbsp;FlexPay’s"save now, buy later" platform allows customers to purchase products over time, interest-free, by setting personal savings goals. They provide customers with greater financial flexibility and purchasing power by collaborating with merchants to facilitate flexible payment options for high-value goods and services.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Flex_Pay_e4b9cbfb07.png"></figure>“Our “save now, buy later” model represents an important evolution of “buy now, pay later”. It's an affordable, scalable, and sustainable model, particularly in Africa. We are looking forward to the future and plan to move quickly in the next three months to partner with merchants and blaze a new trail in the banking space,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-machomba-618b697a?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAABDmyjQBkhBCNptBuO2vD_RO8NeUDZ-3uSI&amp;lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BZZ2IaXumQsSzgSvDlaN8LA%3D%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Richard Machomba</a>, CEO of FlexPay.&nbsp;FlexPay is one of the innovative financial service products that has emerged from Kenya, the home of Africa's first mobile money service, MPESA. FlexPay aims to bridge the affordability gap with practical and affordable financial services thus protecting customers from the dangers of debt."The youngest and fastest-growing populations in the world are generating massive demand for effective and affordable financial services. This is Africa’s great challenge and opportunity. FlexPay is leveraging exciting technology to power an empowering new model: “Save now, buy later,” said Matt Davis, CEO of Renew Capital.The investment aligns with Renew Capital's mission to support groundbreaking ventures across Africa.

FlexPay is reshaping the financial services landscape in Africa with its flexible and affordable payment alternatives


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Press Release: Renew Capital Angels Invest in Kenyan Fintech FlexPay

Renew Capital welcomed a dynamic team of 11 exceptional young professionals ranging from units in Project Management, Investment, Human Resources and Marketing and Communications.<h1 style="text-align:justify;"> Turning Pages and Chasing Dreams</h1>11 Interns Share Their Career Aspirations and Book Recommendations<figure class="image"><img src="/uploads/Meet_the_team_325b170a67.png"></figure>Renew Capital internship is an opportunity for recent graduates based in Africa to embark on a quest to unearth their professional goals, bring innovation to the table and invest in their future success.&nbsp;During the internship, the young professionals will work on various investment and private sector development projects that will enhance their professional skills and gain work experience in an international firm operating across eight African countries. Get to know them as they share books that have influenced and inspired them.&nbsp;1. Agnes Mbuvi- Investment Intern. Kenya.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp; To become a top financial analyst in Kenya and Africa as well. I also hope to start my own investment firm in the future. where I will be able to offer investment solutions that work for the African context.b) What book would you recommend?The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest. This self-help book helped me overcome self-sabotaging tendencies. The author encourages individuals to break free from self-destructive patterns, cultivate self-compassion and build resilience to live a fulfilling life. 2. Eden Hailemariam- Investment Intern. Ethiopia.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;To become an exceptional investment consultant. I pursued this career path to help people make informed investment decisions which in turn will have positive micro as well as macroeconomic and social effects.b) What book would you recommend?To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. It narrates the childhood of Scout and Jem Atticus. I love the extent Atticus goes to defend what he believes is right, regardless of the challenges he faces. It explores themes of racial injustice, mistreatment of innocent people and social prejudice. 3. Jordan Karenzi- Investment Intern. Rwanda.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;I would like to learn how to conduct sound market research and map out the right investments. Also, I would like to improve my communication skills and ability to relay information relating to the investment practice.b) What book would you recommend?The Third Door by Alex Banayan. This is a story of a young man with a dream of interviewing the most successful people in the world from different fields and different walks of life to understand the secret to their success. When Alex was at his highest, he got knocked down but he found a way to get up and push through. I applied the general message to keep a positive mindset and consider small steps as progress. 4. Nahomi Kassahun- Investment Intern. Ethiopia.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;Currently, I am working towards improving my communication skills, especially public speaking. I hope to explore diverse career paths, build a network and develop my leadership abilities.b) What book would you recommend?Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth is an extremely thought-provoking book that is set in the future. It made me question the meaning behind their nickname. The characters are based on important values: Abnegation (selflessness), Amity (kindness), Candor (honesty), Erudite (intelligence) and Dauntless (bravery).&nbsp;5. Ruth Ayalew- Project Intern. Ethiopia.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;To become a visionary policy maker. I am driven by a deep desire to bring about transformative and systematic change in Ethiopia's current landscape. I firmly believe that by implementing innovative and sustainable policies, we can overcome the obstacles that hinder progress and unlock the true potential of this remarkable nation.b) What book would you recommend?7 Habits of Highly Effective People&nbsp;by Stephen Covey. During my stay at the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), I was encouraged to read the book to understand how to live well with others and the dynamics of a great team. I learned that people have various behavioral styles.&nbsp;6. Heran Getaneh- Project Intern. Ethiopia.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;To become a detail-oriented manager and acquire a well-rounded skill set in project management. I hope to not only focus on my role but explore various aspects within the work environment and become a stellar collaborator that achieves success working with cross-functional teams.b) What book would you recommend?Educated by Tara Westover left an unforgettable impact on my spirit. The author's brilliance resides in her ability to challenge cultural standards while also appreciating the power of education. It has taught me to value any chance for personal development and learning that comes my way.&nbsp;7. Uwera Kamuhangire Myriam- Project Intern. Rwanda. a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;To be an illustrious project manager or consultant in Rwanda. I also want to be an entrepreneur in the near future because I enjoy working in dynamic and flexible environments.b) What book would you recommend?The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It talks about the law of attraction and how our mind is the greatest weapon that can be used to work for or against us. It teaches how positive thoughts can manifest positive outcomes and we can use this to achieve personal growth and success.&nbsp;8. Hiwot Endale- Project Intern. Ethiopia.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;In the next five years, I want to identify the career path that I want to follow, build my professional network, perfect my skills and learn more about the entrepreneurial and investment sector.b) What book would you recommend?12 Rules for Life&nbsp;by Jordan B. Peterson. In this remarkable read, the renowned clinical psychologist narrates unique and well thought rules to help us maintain order, improve our interpersonal interactions and establish strong bonds with others.&nbsp;9. Shaynerose Magabi- Marketing and Communications Intern. Kenya.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;To hold a leadership position soon and make data-driven decisions by improving my skills in data analysis and implementing effective marketing campaigns and conducting market research. I aim to excel in public speaking and confidently communicate my ideas with a diverse audience.b) What book would you recommend?The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler. This transformative guide sheds light on how individuals postpone their happiness and forget to live in the present.&nbsp;It implies if you aren't happy in the present, you'll never be happy in the future. Sadly, people fail to show compassion towards themselves by equating their self-worth to their success.&nbsp; 10. Joy Mburu- People Operations and Development Intern. Kenya.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;I am looking forward to helping with the implementation of company policies and providing essential support to the People Operations and Development unit while learning its purpose.&nbsp;My career aspiration is to get a Human Resource Management certification that will enable me to grow and take on leadership roles soon.b) What book would you recommend?The Winner by David Baldacci. This book takes you on a journey of trust and betrayal. “What decisions would you make in the face of intense desperation?" Characters within the plot are forced to make challenging decisions. It explores the devastating impact of betrayal from close friends and will make you shift alliances throughout the whole novel.&nbsp;11. Mediatrice Kampire- Data Science and Analytics Intern. Rwanda.a) What are your professional goals?&nbsp;To become a senior data analyst and project manager within the next three years by completing relevant training courses and gaining practical experience.b) What book would you recommend?Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson is a motivational business fable that explores the challenges of change and adaptation. The book emphasizes the importance of embracing change, being flexible and proactively seeking new opportunities.