Nairobi, Kenya | July 6, 2026-Trade Catalyst Africa (TCA) today announced the confirmation of Gabriel Negatu as its Independent Board Chair and the appointment of Sanjay Rughani as a new Board Member.
Mr Negatu has served as Interim Board Chair since January 2025. His confirmation comes as TCA expands its efforts to mobilise commercial and development capital into trade infrastructure and trade finance. Through this work, the organisation is helping African governments reduce reliance on grant funding while increasing exports, lowering the cost of trade, and strengthening regional connectivity.
As former Director General at the African Development Bank, Mr Negatu spent 18 years working on capital allocation to countries and strategic development projects, particularly across Eastern Africa, while also helping shape the Bank’s response to financial crises and support for fragile states. His experience in development finance and economic governance will help guide TCA as it expands its investment portfolio and mobilises more private capital into African trade.
TCA also welcomes Sanjay Rughani to its Board. Mr Rughani is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda and has close to 25 years of banking experience across Africa, Asia and Europe. His expertise in commercial banking, regional financial markets and business transformation will strengthen TCA’s efforts to structure investment opportunities, mobilise private capital, and expand access to trade finance for African businesses.
Reflecting on his appointment, Gabriel Negatu, Independent Board Chair of TCA, said, “Africa’s trade potential depends on mobilising more investment. I look forward to working with the Board and management team to help scale practical financing solutions that make African trade more competitive.”
Trade Catalyst Africa Chief Executive Officer Duncan Onyango said, “Gabriel’s confirmation as Independent Board Chair and Sanjay’s appointment strengthen TCA’s governance. Their leadership and expertise will support our efforts to mobilise more investment into trade infrastructure and trade finance across Africa, supporting Africa’s long-term trade competitiveness.”
TCA extends its sincere appreciation to Patricia Ojangole, whose tenure as a Board Member has come to an end. As a founding board member, she provided strategic guidance during TCA’s formative years, including a period of significant funding transition. We thank Patricia for her contribution and wish her every success in her future endeavours.
About Trade Catalyst Africa
Trade Catalyst Africa (TCA) is a subsidiary of TradeMark Africa, established in 2022 to mobilise capital for trade infrastructure and improve access to trade finance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.
With initial funding from USAID, TCA takes on early-stage risk and structures investment-ready projects to attract additional funding from public and private investors. It also provides flexible financing to commercial lenders for on-lending to SMEs in high export-potential sectors, helping businesses grow and participate more effectively in regional and global trade.
Media Contact
Eve Muthoni
Communications Specialist
Trade Catalyst Africa
+254 732 978786
