Irene Nzai

Irene joins GDI Africa as a Senior Associate, Strategy & Build. Irene is a seasoned professional with a strong background in finance, venture capital, and management consulting. Passionate about driving sustainable growth in SMEs, Irene is committed to promoting the circular economy.

Before joining GDI, Irene honed her skills in the venture capital space at Frontend Ventures. There, she played a key role in preparing startups for investment and identifying promising ventures. She was also actively involved in the startup ecosystem, participating in events such as the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit and Women Who Build Africa Assembly. Her subsequent transition to management consulting at McKinsey & Company allowed her to contribute to a variety of projects, including commercial due diligence, go-to-market strategies, and operational optimization.

Irene holds a financial engineering degree from Strathmore University and a specialization in project management from the University of Colorado Boulder. When she’s not immersed in her professional pursuits, Irene enjoys exploring towns outside of Nairobi. Her favorite destinations include Meru, Naivasha, and Nakuru.