Albert Ongechi

Advised and supported selected agricultural MSMEs with climate finance and investment-relevant skills, including market understanding, investment readiness, and climate adaptation and resilience. Delivered training on climate adaptation and mitigation for participating enterprises.

Provided entrepreneurial mentorship and delivered group trainings on business fundamentals for selected energy-sector MSMEs. Strengthened MSME business plans and investor pitch decks, including assessments of accounting and bookkeeping systems aligned to prospective investor requirements.

Advised climate and clean energy projects to attract investment by strengthening business plans, financial models, and investor pitching to improve investment readiness. Mentored women- and youth-led ventures and facilitated investment transactions through investor sourcing, deal structuring, and negotiations.

Provided consulting and training across change management, resource efficiency and cleaner production, renewable energy, green financing, working capital and debt management, business strategy, and risk management. Secured US$500,000 in start-up funding for a financial technology company and delivered capacity-building across the Lake Victoria Basin under a World Bank–EAC initiative.

Led stakeholder mapping and analysis of Kenya’s banking sector to identify opportunities to strengthen SME support under the SME Loop initiative. Assessed gaps in access to tailored finance and investment readiness for early-stage and growth-oriented agri-SMEs, especially youth- and women-led enterprises.

Supported the final evaluation of USAID’s Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM), assessing design and implementation progress to inform future USAID/KEA finance and investment programs. Analyzed how KIM’s support for MSMEs and start-ups could strengthen bankable models, access to early-stage financing, and sustainable scaling.

Supported innovator MSMEs—especially youth- and women-led enterprises—through evaluation, training, advisory services, and start-up mentoring under the WE4F East African Hub. Assessed business viability and investment readiness and delivered practical capacity building across business development, resource efficiency, and energy management.

Managed 150 SME client relationships, including 40% in agriculture, and identified credit opportunities within the portfolio. Introduced appropriate bank products and maintained long-term relationships through regular client needs surveys to support relevant SME financial product development.

Grew the bank’s business by tapping trade, global markets, cash management, and vehicle and asset finance, including electronic banking opportunities. Conducted studies on the state of the agricultural sector to inform SME product specifications and provided advisory on customized credit facilities within RAC (risk acceptance criteria), maintaining compliance with banking procedures and policies.

Managed an SME portfolio of over US$27.2M in assets and USD 1.2M in liabilities/deposits, maximizing returns while protecting financial exposure. Achieved 100% credit approval rates and completed investment deals including USD 1M for tea processing machinery and USD 388,349 for animal feed manufacturing.

Designed and implemented a change management program for the SME banking division supporting the integration of CfC Bank and Stanbic Bank. Coached and coordinated SME banking support staff to improve service quality and facilitated branch training and capacity development interventions.

Provided sales and advisory services to MSME clients and increased market penetration, earning Best Sales Representative (2004). Trained MSME clients based on needs analyses to help them understand and meet their financial requirements.

Advised agro-based MSMEs and start-ups on financing, bankable business plans, and investment readiness, mobilizing USD 2 million under the USAID Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM). Facilitated linkages among agribusinesses, financial institutions, and private equity investors and delivered capacity-building and mentorship for early-stage growth.

Completed a Master of Business Administration with a focus on Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi from 2006 to 2009.

Completed a Bachelor of Education (Arts) in English Language & Literature at Moi University from 1994 to 1999.