Meet Njeri Rionge, the visionary entrepreneur behind Zuku, the successful media brand, and the Wananchi Group. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Njeri was the first child in a family of five. She graduated in 2000 with a degree in
Business Administration and Management from the United States International University and has since earned several certifications and licenses in areas such as corporate governance, internal audit, artificial intelligence, and financial modeling.
From an early age, Njeri displayed an entrepreneurial spirit, starting her first business by selling yogurt to fellow students during break time at school. Recognizing the gap in the burgeoning computer market and the unreliable internet connections in Kenya, she seized the opportunity in 1999 to launch Wananchi Online. Despite significant challenges, including resistance from the government, industry regulators, and competitors, Njeri successfully built Wananchi Online into East Africa’s largest Internet Service Provider. This success eventually led to the merger with a cable television service, forming the powerhouse that is Wananchi Group Holdings.
As the CEO and Chairperson of Wananchi Group Holdings, Njeri also founded numerous other ventures, including Ignite Consulting, Ignite Lifestyle, Africa Expert Forum, Business Lounge, and Insite. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Njeri has held key positions in both local and global organizations. She has served as a corporate sales and marketing manager, a member of the board of directors for the Institute of Directors (Kenya) and the Internet Community in Africa, and the CEO of Network, Research and Business Capital Inc. Furthermore, Njeri has contributed to the East African Tea Trade Association and worked as an investment officer at UpCountry Africa Fund Asset (Canada) Corp.
Njeri’s journey to success is a testament to her resilience, vision, and unyielding determination. Through her ability to recognize opportunities and her relentless work ethic, she has turned her dreams into reality. Today, she remains a trailblazer in Kenya’s business landscape, serving as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.
