How I ended up in Africa ...

My African journey began in earnest in 2017 when I moved to Mali, a country rich in culture but facing significant challenges. I lived and worked here full-time, immersing myself in the complex and multi-dimensional crises the country was experiencing. As the Press and Public Information Officer for EUCAP Sahel Mali, I played a key role in shaping public policy and ensuring the visibility of the mission. My work included conducting a comprehensive analysis of conflicts throughout Mali and implementing a crisis analysis unit integrated into Mercy Corps programs. Through this experience, I gained a deep understanding of the socio-political dynamics of the region and the resilience of its people.

I left Mali and the EU Mission in 2018, after a brief stint in Istanbul, I moved to Tunisia. This transition marked the beginning of my tenure as a senior researcher and monitoring and evaluation expert working for my own consultancy, Aries Consult ltd. From Tunis, I roamed the continent - Niger, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda... and many more - leading various research and evaluation projects.

In August 2023, I moved to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where I currently serve as the Deputy Chief of Party for Field Monitoring, Evaluation, and Verification for the USAID Mission Strategic Support Program. My work includes a range of assessments, including digital health, civil society, local NGO landscapes, and market compensation studies. Based in Kinshasa with frequent visits to Goma, I continue to explore the challenges and opportunities in this vibrant yet complex country.