Former Principal Secretary for the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management, Veronica Nduva, has been appointed Deputy Director for Economic Opportunity – Policy, Government Relations and Partnerships (Africa) at the Gates Foundation.
Nduva announced the appointment on her official X account, saying she was eager to work with partners across Africa to promote inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities.
“Excited to join the Gates Foundation and Gates Africa as Deputy Director, Economic Opportunity – Policy, Government Relations and Partnerships (Africa),” she said.
She added: “Africa’s future will be shaped by stronger partnerships, innovative financing and enabling policy environments. Looking forward to working with partners across the continent to advance inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities.”
Veronica Nduva Appointed Deputy Director at Gates Foundation Africa
The Gates Foundation’s Director of Policy, Government Relations and Partnerships for Africa, Caty Fall Sow, said Nduva’s appointment comes at a critical time as the continent seeks stronger partnerships, innovative financing and more coordinated policy action.
“Veronica joins us at an important moment. Right now, the continent is calling for stronger partnerships, bolder and more innovative financing, and more aligned policy action,” Sow said while announcing the appointment.
She noted that Veronica Nduva will lead the foundation’s policy and financing ambitions in key areas, including agriculture, digital public infrastructure, inclusive financial services and women’s economic empowerment.
According to Sow, Nduva brings more than 25 years of experience shaping governance and development outcomes across the Government of Kenya, the East African Community, the U.S. Government and civil society.
“Most recently, as Secretary General of the East African Community, she worked at the centre of regional integration, policy negotiation and high-level partnership building, bringing a rare, system-wide perspective on how change happens across Africa’s policy and financing landscape,” she said.
Sow added that she looks forward to working closely with Nduva and the Africa Leadership Team to support country-driven and results-focused economic opportunities across the continent.
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From Principal Secretary to EAC’s First Female Secretary General
Veronica Mueni Nduva served as the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management, a senior position in the Executive of the Government of Kenya.
She also served as Secretary to the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) and Joint Secretary to the Principal Secretaries’ meeting.
Before taking up the Performance and Delivery Management docket, Nduva served as Principal Secretary for the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action following her appointment by President William Ruto in December 2022.
Nduva later served as Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) between June 7, 2024, and April 25, 2026.
She was the first woman and the youngest person to hold the office in the history of the Community.
Nduva assumed office at a delicate time when the EAC was facing institutional turbulence. In just 22 months, her tenure delivered organizational stability, restored confidence, and repositioned the EAC as a people-centred Community.
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Inside Nduva’s 25-Year Public Service Career and Education
Nduva is an accomplished governance and public sector professional with more than 25 years of experience spanning the Government of Kenya, the East African Community, the United States Government, and civil society.
She has an extensive understanding of government structures and operations, as well as inter-agency collaboration, and played a key role in the development of Kenya’s Constitution and the National Policy and Action Plan on Human Rights Sessional Paper.
Nduva holds a Master of Arts in Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration, both from the University of Nairobi.
The former EAC SG is also highly trained and experienced in human resource management and budgetary appropriations.
She has expertise in bilateral relations, political strategy and communication, policy analysis, relationship building, and strategic thinking, and is regarded as an accomplished negotiator.
Her distinguished public service has earned her several awards and recognitions, including the Order of the Chief of the Burning Spear (CBS) – First Class, conferred by President William Ruto in December 2023 in recognition of exemplary service to the nation.
Nduva is married and has three children. Outside work, she enjoys spending time outdoors.
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