Meet Njeri Rionge, the woman behind the successful media brand, Zuku, and the Wananchi Group. Njeri was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, as the first child in a family of five. She obtained her degree in Business Administration and Management from the United States International University in 2000 and holds various licenses and certifications in corporate governance, internal audit, artificial intelligence, and valuation and financial modeling.
Njeri has always had a passion for entrepreneurship, starting her first business at a young age by selling yogurt to students during break time at school. She later saw an opportunity in the growing computer market and lack of reliable internet connections in Kenya, leading her to establish Wananchi Online in 1999. Despite facing challenges and resistance from the government, competitors, and industry regulators, she grew the business into the largest Internet Service Provider in East Africa, and later merged with a cable television service to form the Wananchi Group Holdings.
Njeri is the CEO and Chairperson of the Wananchi Group Holdings and the founder of several other businesses including Ignite Consulting, Ignite Lifestyle, Africa Expert Forum, Business Lounge, and Insite. In addition to her own businesses, Njeri has held various positions in local and international companies, serving as a manager of corporate sales and marketing, member of the board of directors for the Institute of Directors (Kenya) and the Internet Community in Africa, and CEO of Network, Research and Business Capital Inc. She has also served as a member of the East African Tea Trade Association and an investment officer at UpCountry Africa Fund Asset (Canada) Corp.
Njeri’s journey to success is a testament to her determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite facing obstacles, she saw opportunities and worked hard to turn her vision into a reality. Today, she continues to be a trailblazer in the Kenyan business world and an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.
