The Back Story
Our model responds to two urgent challenges: the decline in grant funding for trade infrastructure and the persistent barriers SMEs face in accessing finance.
We address these by deploying a revolving fund that reduces the cost of project preparation, supports commercially viable infrastructure, and catalyses innovative financing solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
We take an appropriate level of risk, blending concessional and private finance to attract capital at the right stage of development and scale. By doing so, we align with governments’ long-term sustainability goals, freeing scarce grant resources for where they are needed most. Our approach ensures that infrastructure is not only built but also maintained, delivering public goods that are accessible, cost-effective, and transformative.
Alongside infrastructure, we are driving innovation in SME finance. By deploying subordinated debt into trade finance vehicles, we enhance their lending capacity and unlock capital for enterprises in sectors such as agro-processing, horticulture, and cotton, textiles, and garments. This means more businesses can access the finance they need to grow, create jobs, and strengthen Africa’s position in global trade.
The sector increasingly recognises that these capabilities are essential. At TCA, we are stepping up, working strategically with partners to scale what works, shorten the cycle from preparation to execution, and channel finance into projects that deliver impact for investors, governments, and communities alike.
We believe this is how Africa will accelerate trade, investment, and prosperity.
TCA Reveal Video
Our Core Values

Collaboration

Equal Opportunity

Innovation

Integrity

Results-driven

Professionalism
Get to know us
Our Team

Gabriel Negatu
Independent Board Chair
Gabriel Negatu
Independent Board Chair


Prof. Dominic McVey
Board Member
Prof. Dominic McVey
Board Member
Professor Dominic McVey MBE is an exceptional business leader and board director with extensive experience in building businesses and not for profits across the African continent. Professor McVey has a portfolio of multi-national business interests, spanning manufacturing, technology, cosmetics and management consultancy. He is an outspoken and committed advocate for increasing equitable trade with developing countries and promoting sustainable foreign direct investment into African countries.
His not-for-profit roles include Non- Executive Director – Overseas Development Institute, Advisory Council member – Coalition for Global Prosperity, and Chairman of Computer Aid International. Professor McVey is a respected speaker on business ethics and entrepreneurship and consults with government think tanks and world leaders. Professor McVey brings on board visionary perspectives on the role of trade in development, and strong connections with AfCFTA, Regional Economic Communities, African governments, global trade organisations and the private sector.


Sanjay Rughani
Board Member
Sanjay Rughani
Board Member
Mr. Sanjay Rughani is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited, a position he has held since July 2022.
Sanjay’ has a career spanning close to 25 years in Banking across Africa, Asia and Europe, he has worked in senior roles in the UK, Kenya, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’ Ivoire, with responsibilities overseeing operations in the Standard Chartered Bank Business in Africa and India. His most recent role prior to this appointment, was CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Tanzania.
Sanjay is recognized for driving significant business transformation, in his role as the CEO, he has won significant accolades for his position and through his strong leadership representation with different important thought leadership forums. He is credited with enhancing business performance, building and optimizing on human capital, championing responsible business and driving digital integration and innovation. He is also acknowledged as a force for good for national and regional prosperity having championed private sector initiatives to elevate trade, investments, leadership capacity building, value partnerships and sustainability.
He is currently Chairman of Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group (PAIB AG) of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Chairman British Chamber of Commerce Uganda, Chairman YPO Africa Great Lakes Chapter, Chairman Furaha Financial Uganda, Member Uganda Bankers Association Central Executive Committee, Chairman The Standard Chartered Group Benevolent Fund.
His past key governance representations included being Chairman of CEO Roundtable Tanzania, Deputy Chairman of Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA), Executive member of Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), Director of Association of Tanzanian Employers (ATE), President of Lincoln Community School (International School in Ghana), Chairman of Ghana Business Coalition against HIV & AIDS (GBCA), Director Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and Founder member of FSSC forum in Kenya.
Sanjay’s professional credentials and qualifications include being a Chartered Accountant through NBAA Tanzania, a Fellow Member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), MBA in Finance, a Fellow of Institute of Information Management Africa (Nigeria), Management post-graduation in HRD and a Bachelor of Commerce.
He is a Tanzanian citizen.


Duncan Onyango
Chief Executive Officer
Duncan Onyango
CEO, Trade Catalyst Africa
Duncan Onyango brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across East Africa’s private, public, and development sectors — from closing Kenya’s first public-private partnership to attracting close to $290m in investment as CFO at Rift Valley Railways.
He is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Trade Catalyst Africa (TCA), where he leads efforts to scale investments that make trade faster, cheaper, and more reliable across the continent. He also serves as Board Chair of the Kenya Innovative Finance Facility for Water (KIFFWA) and Board Director at the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF).
Before joining TCA, Duncan led Pharo Ventures East Africa, investing in sustainable enterprises, and before that, the UK-funded Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) programme, helping Kenyan towns attract investment for climate-resilient infrastructure. Earlier, as East Africa Director at Acumen Fund, he managed a $40m portfolio backing social enterprises across the region.
Duncan holds institutional accreditation from the Green Climate Fund and has advised several climate-related initiatives and funds across Africa. His career spans donor agencies, development finance institutions, and the private sector — giving him a rare, ground-level understanding of what it takes to move capital and unlock opportunity in East Africa


Antoinette Tesha
Investment Director
Antoinette Tesha
Investment Director
Antoinette has deep expertise in investment, finance, banking, and development.
After beginning her career at Stanbic Bank in Tanzania, she expanded her skills in South Africa at Thomson Reuters and ABSA Capital, focusing on financial markets sales and the strategic deployment of online trading platforms.
Later, as the leader of TIB Rasilimali in Tanzania, she spearheaded significant financial projects, including corporate bond arrangements and share listings. Most recently, she directed Gatsby Africa’s Regional Textiles and Apparel sector program, driving initiatives to grow exports across East Africa. Her background and strategic vision are instrumental in advancing development through private sector growth across Africa.


Kevin Karanja
Investment Analyst
Kevin Karanja
Investment Analyst
Kevin is an accomplished Investment Analyst with 8 years of experience in financial analysis, corporate and project finance, and investment structuring.
At TCA, he identifies and evaluates investment opportunities, conducts due diligence, prepares investment proposals, and structures innovative financing solutions for trade infrastructure and trade finance projects. He is adept at financial modeling, transaction structuring, investment analysis, and risk assessment, ensuring that capital deployment aligns with TCA’s mission of elevating Africa’s exports by unlocking better access to trade finance for SMEs and de-risking the development of physical and digital trade infrastructure.
Kevin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree from the University of Nairobi and is a Level II candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. He is also a Certified FAST Financial Modeller under the FAST (Flexible Appropriate Structured Transparent) Standard.
Sample work experience
- Built fund and management company models for two (2) foreign venture capital firms investing in forward-thinking social enterprises in sub-Saharan Africa. These models were instrumental in articulating the funds’ investment strategies during fundraising efforts.
- Conducted financial due diligence and valuation exercises for Green and FinTech startups, supporting their successful capital raise from an angel investment network.
- Conducted commercial and financial due diligence and provided transaction structuring insights for a Kenyan hospital on behalf of a West African investor. The deal resulted in the investor acquiring a majority stake in the hospital.
- Designed and implemented a pipeline management tool for a Venture builder entity, enabling structured evaluation of business proposals through various investment stages, including ideation, business planning, and board approvals.


Evelyne Muthoni
Communications Specialist
Evelyne Muthoni
Communications Specialist
Evelyne Muthoni is a Communications Specialist with over a decade of experience driving strategic communication and stakeholder engagement. At TCA, she develops and implements impactful communication strategies that enhance global program visibility.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Daystar University, Evelyne brings a strong foundation in media relations and content creation, complemented by leadership and digital tools expertise. Her career highlights include securing over $4.5 million in donor funding at African Women in Agricultural Research and Development and tripling social media engagement and sales at Ekklesia Afrika.
Evelyne’s commitment to community impact is evident in her volunteer leadership at Fatuma’s Voice, where she led over 100 events promoting social change through the arts. Her content creation, brand messaging, and digital communications skills make her a valuable asset.











