PROFILE

Wanjiru Waweru Waithaka graduated from the Glasgow School of Art, University of Glasgow with a degree in interior architecture. She founded and ran Amber Africa, an interior architecture consultancy for 10 years before creating Funkidz, the first global children's brand from Africa. She then created Funkidz Tech, which teaches tech skills and carpentry skills.

Ms. Waithaka was commended by Goldman Sachs and by US First Lady Michelle Obama for her business and education efforts for children in Africa. She also received female global leader award from Goldman Sachs, a global award in Barcelona from GSMA, and a Women 4 Tech award.

Ms. Waithaka is a serial entrepreneur. In 2018, she innovated a sustainable board for the construction industry using agricultural waste, the first project of its kind in Kenya. During the COVID 19 global pandemic, Ms. Waithaka pivoted her business and launched Funhomes, a home & garden lifestyle brand inspired by Africa.

In 2021, she launched a pan-African hub called The Nyungu, that focuses on authentic conversations, the shaping of policy, and re-writing the African story.

Ms. Waithaka serves on the boards of Columbia University Global Center-Nairobi, Shepherds Junior School-Nairobi, Kikuyu Constituency Education Foundation, and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.