Fiona Lukwago Email & Phone Number

Accompanying organizations to become their best as they change our world..

Nairobi, Kenya

- Bringing scale to capacity building - Digitizing AECF's advisory services to SMEs across Africa through the AECF academy.- Increasing effectiveness of our capacity building services - builing the AECF advisory studio of world-class roving experts.- Establishing a dedicated Technical Assistance Facility that serves SMEs within and outside AECF's current funded programs- Providing the ecosystem with fresh insights from effective advisory for SMEs - AECF's monthly Ace-up sessions- Building a platform/community for SME peer to peer learning and mentorship - AECF Exchange- Investing in Women - Leading AECF's Nkwanzi Program - An advisory facility specially designed to grow women business leaders in their leadership, capital access, technical capacities and wellness.

Nairobi, Kenya

I provide leadership to AECF’s delivery of Business Advisory Services, a value-added service significantly addressing the systematic constraints in the business growth and sustainability of AECF's 100+ Investee companies in Africa. I provide business advisory services to the Investees, enabling them to meet their business targets and social impact. I support the companies to engineer solutions that improve market systems, promote innovation, and develop an enduring competitive advantage while transforming the lives of the rural and marginalized communities in Africa. I especially support companies in the Agribusiness, Renewable Energy, and Adaptation to Climate Change sub-sectors, with a keen interest in entrepreneurial leadership, strategy, and marketing.

Nairobi Kenya

Responsible for programmes development and overall management of AECF's Agribusiness portfolio across Africa (currently at over US$ 200M). I provided the strategic vision and direction for the growth of the portfolio (business growth and impact delivery). I consulted regularly with donors and engaged in policy dialogue with senior government officials, and international organizations. I led and grew a team of portfolio managers and officers, supporting their capacity growth in managing, monitoring and reporting Agribusiness portfolio tasks and results.

Nairobi Kenya

For a long time, businesses criticized donors and others for directly funding governments and NGOs to champion development efforts and get people out of poverty. This strategy had its place. But the development partners finally responded and started to support businesses directly, to drive the development agenda. My responsibility with this role was to find and invest in those businesses that may not meet traditional risk return standards for commercial investors, but which offer significant impact on poverty alleviation by creating jobs and sustainable incomes.

Uganda

Coaching executives and business teams in leadership, strategy, and team performance.

Princess Anne Drive, Bugolobi, Kampala, Uganda

As Team Leader for the Regional East African Community Trade in Staples (REACTS), a Program that is assisting portfolios/projects in the EAC to get a higher return on their investment, through participation in profitable regional/cross-border trade, my work was underpinned by high quality assessment of business opportunities, issues and constraints to increasing cross-border trade opportunities and the return on investment by donors, governments and the private sector. I am also familiar with the M4P approach to implementation. This ensured that from the lowest level, every actor produced what the market demanded/required while encouraging long-term planning, bulk production and eliminating inefficiencies.

Uganda

Designed agribusiness programs and projects under the Growth and Poverty Reduction Unit. Also, was responsible for managing their implementation through various implementing partners.Designed and coordinated JOINT UN programs under the UNDAF.

Refining the strategic plan for the University's Leadership CenterDeveloping new leadership oriented programs for the University's Leadership centerMarketing these programs to prospective clients in both the private and public sectorsDevelopment of tailored training programmes for specific organisations in leadership and corporate governance targeting women in leadership, secondary and tertiary institution leaders, Members of Parliament and local government administrators and leaders.

Participated in the development of new programmes strategic for the Growth and Poverty Reduction unitConducting of annual evaluations of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Programmes and prepared management response plans to ensure implementation of the recommendations and action plansCoordinated various donor meetings for joint programming and financing of private sector oriented development programmesCoordinated private sector development programmes in the Northern region, in partnership with various departments and NGOs.Participated in the quarterly held information exchange meetings for all private sector development stakeholders Regularly updated the performance monitoring systems of projects and uploading all risks and up coming issues pertaining to programme managementEnsured that regular audits for specific projects were conducted and prepared audit action plans to ensure audit recommendations were followed up for smooth and effective implementation and more efficient use of resourcesAnalysed quarterly and annual work plans for the Poverty Reduction Unit to ensure that results are ultimately achievedReviewed quarterly and annual progress reports of all implementing partners under the unitCoordinated activities of these centers and participated in building the capacity of Microfinance Institutions and Micro, Small and Medium enterprises through the centersConducted regular monitoring of all the implementing partners to verify progress and address any issues that would be hindering progress of the projectsSourced consultants to conduct various exercises including auditing, evaluations, strategic planning e.t.c.Represented the unit in various meetings with stakeholders to forge partnerships in driving the development process forward

Upland Rice Project (Wakiso District) - Africa 2000 NetworkCoordinated activities of the Office of the Vice Presifdent's funded project on promotion of sustainable livelihoods and food security by growing high yield upland riceSet targets for the regional programme, and how these would be efficiently metCoordinated the stakeholders (UNDP, Office of the Vice President, District officials and extension workers) and ensured that they were all playing their role.Carried out weekly monitoring of the project's progress within the district and provided solutions to most of the challenges that were faced by the farmers and the district implementers.Sourced and trained the relevant trainers and issued contracts for their training of women groups and other economically active groups in agri-businessHelped farmers identify which businesses were viable for them to engage inTrained farmers in how to cost various businesses (guided them on how to prepare mini-business plans for their products)Offered advice on why and how farming can be done profitably and productively (as a viable business)Conducted training of farmers in value addition to their products especially dried fruits and vegetables for exportTraining received and workshops attended:Participated in and facilitated a number of workshops and training which included:US based Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship Skills Development Programme - Funded by the Dept of stateThe role of Strategic Marketing in this Financial crisisManagement Information Systems and Auditing for Microfinance officersCorporate Governance for Private Sector Development Companies - SNV

Masters, Mba In Food And Agribusiness

Activities and Societies: Member of Gender and Science and Technology 2003 (GASAT) RAC Alumni

Bachelor'S Degree, Food Science And Technology