Eastrise Group Founder and CEO, Gosia Brzezińska./HANDOUT
Eastrise Group, a strategy and insights firm connecting business and capital across Europe and Africa, has announced an advisory board for Africa-Europe business, with Kenya among targeted countries for growth.
The board unites seasoned entrepreneurs and experts in artificial intelligence, sustainability, impact investment, development finance, communications and policy reform to strengthen cross-regional business between Africa and Europe.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment for global business with Africa set to have the world’s largest working-age population by 2040, with the potential to reach a $29 trillion economy by 2050 (UNECA, 2021).
Meanwhile, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is emerging as one of the fastest-growing regions globally, with Poland recently surpassing $1 trillion (Sh129.2 trillion) in GDP.
Yet despite these trajectories, global capital flows remain constrained by outdated perceptions of risk and limited cross-regional connectivity.
THE ADVISORY BOARD: FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM RIGHT: David McNair, Matthew Hodgkinson, Tom Lytton-Dickie, Michal Nowak, Slywia Dalecka, Shikoh Gitau, Antony Wahome and Noah Black./HANDOUT
“Emerging markets are often dismissed as risky when in fact they are hubs of innovation and growth,” Eastrise Group Founder and CEO Gosia Brzezińska, said.
“Our advisory board strengthens the value we bring to clients, helping them navigate complex markets, design strategies rooted in local realities and open doors to trusted partnerships that unlock growth.”
Unlike conventional governance bodies, the advisory board is designed as a circle of advisors. Members will serve as strategic sounding boards, ensuring Eastrise delivers rigorous, equitable, and practical outcomes for clients.
Their perspectives are expected to elevate visibility for African-led opportunities while ensuring that Eastrise’s work draws on the lessons of Central and Eastern European transformation experience.
The advisory board comprises Noah Black, CEO, Co-founder, Threshold, Sylwia Dalecka, founder, Polish Business Hub Davos , Qhala CEO Shikoh Gitau, Confluence Impact Fund Co-Founder and Portfolio Manager Matthew Hodgkinson, Meaningful Business founder and CEO Tom Lytton-Dickie, David McNair, executive director, ONE, Okaeri Consulting CEO Michał Nowak and Economic Development Advisor Antony Wahome.
McNair (ONE Campaign executive director) said Africa offers fast-growing markets, critical minerals for the green transition and world-class innovation in areas like mobile finance and renewable energy.
“Europe brings technology, capital and global influence. Together, they can build the kind of prosperity and security that are so badly needed in today’s world,” McNair said.
Qhala CEO Shikoh Gitau said: “Africa is already building the future, from financial services to health AI, to climate-smart agriculture. The real barrier is not capacity but visibility: ensuring African-led solutions are recognised and scaled globally. That is where where cross-regional bridges become powerful.”
Oakeri Consulting CEO Michał Nowak reflected on the shared lessons between regions.
“Central and Eastern Europe’s story is one of resilience from navigating transition, building institutions, to finding new paths to growth. Those experiences can resonate with Africa’s own journeys, just as Africa’s innovation can offer fresh insight for Europe. It is about exchange, building corridors where both regions learn and benefit.”
As the Advisory Board commences its work, Eastrise invites partners from across business, philanthropy and policy sectors to collaborate in creating inclusive investment corridors between Africa and Europe.
By combining trusted insights, bold ideas and cross-regional capital, Eastrise seeks to redefine risk and unlock opportunities for the next generation of global growth.
With a presence in Nairobi, Warsaw (Poland) and London, Eastrise works at the intersection of research, advisory and investment to support businesses, global institutions and investors in navigating emerging market opportunities.
