27th August 2025, Nairobi, Kenya | African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lenin Oyuga,  Vice President, Telco Digital Partnerships MEA – Mastercard, and Ms. Lillian Mwai, Country Director – Kenya, TradeMark Africa, to its East Africa Regional board, effective June 2025.

Mr. Oyuga is a seasoned business leader with over 15 years’ experience spanning financial services, telecommunications, government, and the private sector. As part of Mastercard’s senior leadership for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, he leads Telco Commercial and Partnerships across the MEA region, overseeing a portfolio of 30+ clients and driving the commercialization of strategic investments. He has been recognized for delivering double-digit revenue growth and closing high-profile deals. Additionally, Mr. Oyuga was named among East Africa Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2017 and 2018. He also serves on multiple boards, including Cherehani Africa, Tip Point Capital, and the 30% Club East Africa.

Mr. Oyuga said, “I am honored to join the AVPA Board at such a pivotal time when Africa has experienced unprecedented global shifts in the last five years. This has created a huge opportunity for the continent’s social investment ecosystem to rethink philanthropy. AVPA’s work in unlocking capital deeply resonates with my belief that innovative, sustainable solutions are homegrown. I look forward to working with the AVPA team and alongside fellow board members to help unlock social capital across Africa.”

Ms. Mwai is a recognised leader in trade facilitation and institutional development. As Country Director for Kenya at TradeMark Africa, she manages a $19 million programme aimed at supporting the organisation to realise its mission of increasing sustainable and inclusive intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). By leading on programmes aimed at increasing and diversifying trade, reducing trading times and costs, and enhancing the enabling environment for businesses, she ensures that Kenya’s role as a regional gateway translates into tangible gains for intra-African trade.

Ms. Mwai has over 15 years of experience in International Development, having previously worked at Swisscontact, KPMG, and One Acre Fund, consistently shaping reforms and strengthening institutions to support long-term economic growth. She brings to the AVPA Board a deep understanding of how capital, policy, and partnerships intersect to unlock Africa’s potential.

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms Mwai said: “I am excited to join AVPA’s Board and contribute to advancing its mission of mobilising catalytic capital, fostering impactful partnerships, and supporting African-led solutions. AVPA’s work in the social investment ecosystem is vital to unlocking the continent’s full potential, and I look forward to working with the whole team, Board, and partners to drive meaningful and sustainable change.”

The two appointments were confirmed by the AVPA, East Africa Region Board Chair, Joe Ogutu, at a pivotal time when AVPA is looking to further scale its impact in unlocking capital across the continent.