Our Team
We’re a highly collaborative and supportive team, coming together on every project to ensure our clients get the very best result.
Core team/leadership
BRAHIM ALI ABAKAR
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Research & Development, Program Monitoring and Evaluation Expert (Nairobi, Kenya)
Brahim Ali Abakar is a program evaluation expert with over 13 years of experience in international development. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of AFEX-TD, he supports governments, NGOs, and international agencies in designing, monitoring, and evaluating complex programs in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. His focus areas include food security, agricultural transformation, land governance, gender equality, and resilience.
He previously served as Regional MEL Advisor at Mercy Corps and as M&E Specialist for IFAD’s African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI), with field experience across Africa and the MENA region. Brahim has led evaluations and strategic assessments for UN Women, Oxfam, Save the Children, European Union, Gate Foundation and other major institutions.
He holds a master's degree in research and development from the University of Toulouse, with a specialization in food insecurity and resilience in the Sahel. He speaks French, English, and Arabic.
BASHIR CONDÉ
Co-founder & Senior Partner
International development and agricultural transformation Expert Strategy, partnership, governance and fundraising Advisor (Nairobi, Kenya)
Bashir Condé is a senior international expert with 26+ years' experience in development and international cooperation. He has expertise in private sector development, governance, development finance, strategic partnerships and large-scale project planning. He has held senior positions at institutions such as Ecobank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), UNIDO and IFAD.
As co-founder of AFEX-TD, Bashir leads innovative initiatives in Africa, while advising governments, UN agencies and international foundations. He plays a central role in incubating start-ups, building capacity, and devising strategies for inclusive and sustainable development. Bashir has worked for more than 15 countries, including Senegal, Kenya, Ethiopia, Austria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia and Indonesia. Fluently bilingual (French and English), Bashir is a key player in the transformation of development systems in Africa and beyond.
SOUSSIA VANA VATSOU
Director AFEX-TD
Economist - Consultant in Programme Evaluation, Leadership and Local Development Partner (Chad N'Djamena, Chad)
Soussia Vana Vatsou is a Chadian economist and consultant specialising in economic engineering, monitoring-evaluation and entrepreneurship. With over 10 years' experience, he is involved in territorial development projects, business creation training and youth leadership. He has worked with organisations such as AFEX-TD, Fondation Grand-Cœur, FAFEDE and ONAJES, and has carried out assignments in Chad and Cameroon.
A doctoral student in economy at the University of Maroua, he combines academic research, field expertise and civic commitment. He is also the initiator of the International Youth Conference on Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Sustainable Development (CIJELDD), and teaches at several universities in N'Djamena.
“To turn local challenges into tailored, lasting solutions — and contribute to a sustainable development model shaped by and for African communities.”
Emily Davis
Associate experts
Dr. NEILA AMARA
Private Sector Development and Women’s Economic Empowerment Expert Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Partner (Lyon, France)
Neila AMARA is a French and Tunisian expert with over 30+ years' experience in private sector development, women's entrepreneurship and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). With a doctorate in economics, she has worked with agencies such as UNIDO and the ILO in over 15 countries, including Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Cuba, Kazakhstan, and Peru. She combines technical expertise, a strategic approach, and a commitment to inclusive development.
ZARA HASAN SOUGUI
Public health and project management Expert Public Health Partner (Montreal, Canada)
Zara Hasan Sougui is a highly qualified professional with over 10 years' experience working for international organisations such as Oxfam and the WHO. A specialist in public health and monitoring and evaluation, she has solid expertise in project management, capacity building and programme coordination in multicultural contexts. With a Master's degree in public health from the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (France) and a Master's degree in project management, she combines technical skills and strategic vision to steer high-impact interventions in the field of health and development. Trilingual, she is fluent in French, English and Arabic. Zara has worked in several countries, including Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Canada.
AHMED ELMENSHAWY
Expert in energy transition and industrial infrastructure Energy and Industrial Development Partner (Vienna, Austria)
Ahmed Elmenshawy is a seasoned professional in industrial development and energy transition, with recognised expertise in offshore wind energy, hydrogen, cybersecurity and critical communications. With over 10 years' international experience, he has led teams and strategic partnerships across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America for groups such as Atos and Linde.
With an MBA in energy management and a double degree in petroleum engineering, Ahmed combines strategic vision, in-depth knowledge of regulatory issues and solid technical know-how. He is particularly active in developing sustainable industrial projects, supporting innovation policies and representing the sector at international forums. Trilingual (Arabic, German and English), he is a key contact for building resilient, sustainable and technologically advanced energy solutions.
In-country expert network
ÉLIHU NGARSOULÉDÉ ALLANAISEM
Consultant - Specialist in international development and programme monitoring and evaluation (N'Djamena, Chad)
Élihu Ngarsoulédé Allanaisem is a Chadian expert in international development, governance, and monitoring and evaluation, with over 16+ years of experience in implementing, evaluating, and coordinating development, humanitarian, and public policy programs. Specialising in the triple nexus approach (humanitarian-development-peace), he has worked with national and international institutions such as Oxfam, Expertise France, Première Urgence Internationale, the European Union and the Haut Comité de Pilotage du Tchad. He holds a master's degree in international development (socio-anthropology) and regularly acts as a trainer and facilitator on issues such as local governance, gender in public policy, social cohesion and impact assessment. He has conducted a number of benchmark studies on agro-pastoral conflicts, migration dynamics, climate change and health system governance.
HASSANIÉ OUSMAN TCHOUTCHA
Researcher - Gender, Women's Rights and Social Cohesion Expert Gender and Social Cohesion Partner (N'Djamena, Chad)
Hassanié Ousman Tchoutcha is a sociologist and committed researcher, expert in gender, women's and girls' rights, social cohesion and community resilience. With 15+ years' experience, she conducts in-depth qualitative research and evaluations on social dynamics, gender relations and peace mechanisms in vulnerable areas of Chad. She has worked for a number of international organisations, including IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR, GIZ, WFP and Concern Worldwide, as an independent consultant, facilitator and monitoring and evaluation specialist. She is recognised for her ability to conduct participatory research, in particular through sensitive interviews with women and girls on subjects such as gender-based violence, reproductive health and community conflicts. She holds a master's degree in sociology from the University of N'Djamena and has consolidated her expertise through specialist training in gender, social inclusion, non-violent communication and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. Her detailed understanding of local contexts and her community-centred approach make her a key player in social and humanitarian interventions in Chad. She is fluent in French, Arabic and several other languages.