Benson Gituku Ngene

Gituku is a seasoned strategy and innovation professional dedicated to advancing digital technologies and fostering innovation to drive positive global transformation. Before joining Princeton SPIA, Gituku served as the Senior Global Advisor for Jobtech at Mercy Corps. In this role, he oversaw a global portfolio of programs harnessing digital transformation to enhance livelihoods and economic prosperity for unemployed youth across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Gituku led partnerships with big-tech and start-ups, impact investors, governments, and development organizations to research, design, and implement digital transformation programs leveraging solutions such as platforms, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence to transform the future of work in developing and frontier markets. Gituku helped conceptualize and launch the Jobtech Alliance, a groundbreaking ecosystem initiative that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and policymakers to advance the future of work and inclusive digital transformation in Africa. Prior to his tenure at Mercy Corps, Gituku was a management consultant with Dalberg Advisors, where he supported private and public sector leaders in developing and implementing innovative growth strategies and partnerships. His expertise spans multiple industries including information technology, inclusive finance, entrepreneurship and start-ups, agribusiness, youth programming, and public-private partnerships. He also worked with the National Economic and Social Council under the Office of the President of Kenya, where he contributed to the implementation of Kenya's long-term development blueprint, Vision 2030. A native of Nairobi, Kenya, he is an avid landscape and travel photographer and storyteller, an outdoor enthusiast, and a vinyl music collector.