Agnes Gitau

Managing Partner at GBS Africa

Discussion leader

Agnes serves as the Executive Director EU & UK at the Eastern Africa Association, where she supports businesses and investors engaging with East African markets. She also manages projects at GBS Africa, a firm that provides political and economic risk intelligence and strategic market entry support for publicly traded companies, startups, governments, and multilateral organisations focused on the East and Horn of Africa. GBS Africa acts as placement agents, raising capital for funds dedicated to sustainable and impact-driven projects in the region.

She is an adviser to the Institute of Directors Africa Group (IOD Africa Group) on East African matters and a member of the WTO Gender Research Hub. Her research and advisory expertise cover gender and trade, regional trade development, diaspora investments, remittances, trade finance, and digital inclusion. She also provides insights on Gulf investments in the Horn of Africa, sovereign debt management, debt transparency, and the ESG performance of international companies operating in East Africa. In addition, Agnes serves as an external research consultant for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

She is a board member of Frontier Africa Reports and a trustee for Five Talents UK, a microfinance charity that promotes financial literacy and supports women’s economic empowerment. Agnes holds an MSc in International Trade and Finance from London Metropolitan University.