Every year, thousands of Kenyans leave the country in search of better employment opportunities, higher incomes and career advancement.
While many take up jobs abroad to improve their livelihoods, others have risen through the ranks of multinational companies.
Among those making their mark is Kendi Ntwiga, a Kenyan technology executive whose career spans some of the world’s leading technology companies, including Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Intel, Check Point and Hewlett-Packard (HP).
From Kenya to global technology leadership
Ntwiga boasts over 17 years of experience in the technology industry, where she has held various roles, including developing and implementing business strategies for technology companies across sub-Saharan Africa.
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She currently works at Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, where she serves as Global Head of Integrity and Support Enablement in Community Operations.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, she is involved in overseeing processes that support the enforcement of the company’s community standards across its platforms.
Her role involves working with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering, product development, data science, business and operations, to develop procedures that guide how the company manages user experiences and applies its platform policies.
Before joining Meta, Ntwiga served as Microsoft’s Country Leader in Kenya, where she was responsible for strengthening relationships across the company’s local subsidiary and supporting its regional profile and business objectives.
Her career also includes leadership positions at Oracle, Intel Security, Check Point and HP.
Over the years, she has helped develop and execute strategies for companies operating in a rapidly changing industry where innovation and the effective use of technology are central to competitiveness.
Championing women in technology
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Ntwiga has also championed greater participation by women in the technology sector.
She is the founder of SheGoesTech, an initiative that mentors girls and women and encourages them to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses and careers.
Since its launch in 2015, the initiative has supported efforts to address gender gaps in technology and encouraged more women to remain in the sector as they advance professionally.
Her advocacy has also taken her to international forums, including discussions on gender inclusion at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In 2019, she was named among Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Women, recognising her achievements and contribution to her field.
Education and professional development
Ntwiga studied computer science before pursuing a degree in International Business Management. She also holds a master’s qualification in strategy and finance.
She later joined Babson College in the United States, where she undertook an entrepreneurial leadership programme. She is a Santander African Women Foundation Fellow, a distinction associated with her participation in the programme.
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