Ali Mwanzei

Green Trade, Climate and Sustainable Development Specialist with over 15 years of experience leading high-impact donor-funded programmes that advance climate-resilient trade, circular economy systems, sustainable value chains, and low-carbon economic transformation across Kenya. Expertise in designing and managing multi-partner programmes involving governments, EU Member States, UN agencies, development finance partners, private sector actors, and regional institutions to deliver scalable green growth and sustainable trade outcomes.

Experience combines strategic programme leadership, environmental compliance, climate adaptation and mitigation, and private sector development, with proven ability to integrate emissions-conscious programming, circular economy principles, EPR systems, and climate resilience into trade and economic development initiatives. Successfully led interventions in sustainable fisheries, low-carbon logistics, waste value chains, green enterprise development, blue economy, and climate finance readiness under EU and DANIDA-funded programmes. Strong capabilities in partnership development, policy advisory, programme quality assurance, knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, and translating complex environmental and trade challenges into practical, measurable, and investment-ready solutions.

Private Sector Development Consultant & Deputy Team Leader - GIZ Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation (WE4D) Project – Kenya - Nairobi

(2025-11-01)

Led private sector and circular economy interventions under the GIZ Employment Promotion for Women for the Green Transformation (WE4D) Programme, supported development of climate-resilient, low-carbon, and inclusive green value chains in Kenya's waste and circular economy sectors in plastics, textiles, Ewaste and organic wastes value chain.

• Led climate-responsive value chain diagnostics across plastics, organics, textiles, and e-waste sectors for 2100 Micro and Small Entreprises (MSEs) to respond to circular economy needs and enhanced their green trade competitiveness and formaization.
• Identified market, regulatory, and logistical barriers affecting green enterprises for the 2100 MSEs and developed actionable recommendations to strengthen sustainable trade systems, improve resource recovery, and enhance market access for circular economy actors.
• Structured and costed a KES 235.9 million climate-aligned circular economy programme targeting over 2,100 waste sector actors and 20 aggregation and processing hubs, creating a scalable green investment framework for inclusive economic transformation.
• Integrated Kenya's Sustainable Waste Management Act (2022), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, and circular economy principles into programme design, strengthening environmental compliance and sustainable private sector participation.
• Facilitated strategic partnerships with private sector leaders including Chemolex, Africa Collect textiles (ACT) InsectiPro, and WEEE Centre to strengthen circular supply chains, green manufacturing ecosystems, and sustainable market linkages and formalization.
• Led stakeholder engagement with municipalities, Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), women-led SMEs, recyclers, and public institutions to strengthen coordination of climate-resilient circular economy systems and green value chain governance.
• Co-created and developed Integrated Development Partnership Plans (iDDPs) with 4 private Lead companies (Chemolex, Africa Collect textiles (ACT) InsectiPro, and WEEE Centre) linking municipalities, SMEs, recyclers, and private firms to improve coordination, scalability, and sustainability of waste management and circular economy systems.
• Generated practical recommendations to unlock climate finance opportunities, improve enterprise bankability, and support investment readiness for MSMEs operating within green and circular economy sectors.
• Promoted inclusive green growth and just transition approaches by embedding gender inclusion, occupational health and safety, enterprise formalization, fair pricing systems, and worker protection mechanisms into programme interventions.
• Developed environmental, economic, gender, and climate performance indicators to strengthen programme monitoring, reporting, emissions-conscious programming, and impact measurement systems.
• Produced high-level policy briefs, technical reports, and investment frameworks informing national dialogue on circular economy governance, waste management systems, green industrialization, and climate-resilient trade opportunities.
• Presented programme findings and investment models to government agencies, development partners, municipalities, and private sector stakeholders, influencing adoption and scale-up of circular and low-carbon business models.
• Strengthened sustainable trade ecosystems by linking women-led SMEs to Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs), improving access to green markets, compliance systems, and long-term revenue opportunities.

Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist - KOSAP Component 2 (SNV Kenya/World Bank) - SNV Kenya - Nairobi

(2025-09-01 - 2026-01-31)

Led environmental safeguards compliance for Result Based Financing (RBF) and debt facilities, establishing structured environmental and social governance (ESG) oversight across off-grid energy investments.

• Coordinated multi-stakeholder engagements with private sector providers, strengthening accountability and ESG compliance across 15+ companies.
• Reviewed E&S policies, e-waste systems, and OHS frameworks, driving policy alignment and adoption of robust safeguards systems.
• Identified gaps in e-waste management and reverse logistics, leading to improved take-back, recycling, and disposal practices.
• Developed KPIs and monitoring indicators, enabling data-driven compliance and performance tracking across the portfolio.
• Designed reporting tools aligned with World Bank standards, strengthening MRV systems and decision-making reliability.
• Advised companies on e-waste, product lifecycle management, and OHS, reducing environmental and operational risks.
• Supported ESMP implementation and capacity building, embedding safeguards into business operations and institutional systems.
• Ensured alignment with NEMA regulations, minimizing regulatory and compliance risks for participating firms.
• Engaged stakeholders across solar and clean cooking value chains, improving coordination and sustainability of energy interventions.
• Promoted customer awareness on safe product use and disposal, enhancing product stewardship and reducing environmental footprint.
• Strengthened climate risk management in off-grid investments, contributing to reduced reliance on high-emission energy sources.
• Built safeguards capacity among partners, ensuring sustained ESG compliance beyond project implementation.

Mission Environment and Climate Integration Officer - USAID Kenya and East Africa - Nairobi, Kenya

(2024-11-03 - 2025-08-15)

Developed and operationalized environmental compliance guidance, improving quality and consistency of ESIA processes across implementing partners. Led technical support for Kenya's carbon markets framework, contributing to operationalization.

Master of Arts - Project Planning and Management - University of Nairobi (2010-10 - 2014-08)

Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Science) - Environmental Studies - Kenyatta University (1994-07 - 1998-10)