Team bios – Development Reimagined

OUR TEAM

Talk to our diverse, multisectoral and multilingual team of staff and consultants, a third of whom are based in China, another third on the African continent, and the rest elsewhere around the world, to put our incredible expertise and networks to work on your project, problem or new idea.

THE KEY PEOPLE BEHIND OUR GLOBAL IMPACT

Hannah Ryder

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Hannah Ryder

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Hannah Ryder is the Founder & CEO of Development Reimagined. A former diplomat and economist with 20 years of experience, named one of 100 most influential Africans in 2021, she is also Senior Associate for the Africa Program of the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), sits on the Board of the Environmental Defence Fund, and is a member of UAE's International Advisory Council on the New Economy. Prior to her role at DR, Ms Ryder led the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s work with China to help it scale up and improve its cooperation with other developing countries, including in Africa. She has also played various advisory roles for the UN and OECD and co-authored the seminal Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change in 2006.

ROSIE WIGMORE

AFRICA REIMAGINED FLAGSHIP ProGRAM Manager

ROSIE WIGMORE

AFRICA REIMAGINED FLAGSHIP ProGRAM Manager

Rosie is the Project Manager of Africa Reimagined (AR) at Development Reimagined (DR) where she supports high-end African brands with entering the Chinese market by operating services such as trademark protection, Chinese market research, Chinese partnership building, and Africa to China logistical support and import/export services. Rosie has worked with DR for over two years now with proven success in helping high-end African brands navigate the Chinese market. She is extremely passionate about her work because more African brands selling in the Chinese marketplace means African countries can export MORE value-added goods, create MORE jobs and foster MORE innovation in African countries. Rosie is also alumni of the School of International Studies at Peking University in Beijing where she is also an editor at the Peking Africa Think Tank. PATT is led by a diverse group of scholars who specialise in African Studies within the context of Sino-Africa relations.

OVIGWE EGUEGU

PEACE AND SECURITY POLICY LEAD

OVIGWE EGUEGU

PEACE AND SECURITY POLICY LEAD

Ovigwe is a Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined. He focuses on geopolitics with particular reference to Africa in a changing global order. Specifically, his work includes analyses and publications on great power politics and it's impact on developments in the region. He pays special attention to regional/international security, institutions-alliances, and initiatives-projects. Ovigwe is frequently invited to policy dialogues, seminars and workshops hosted by leading think tanks including the Atlantic Council, Institute for Security Studies, Council on Foreign Relations and the South African Institute of International Affairs. He regularly appears on Al Jazeera, TRT World, CGTN, DW News, and BBC and. He writes pieces for publications such as The Diplomat, China Global South and The Africa Report.

IVORY KAIRO

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

IVORY KAIRO

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Ivory is a Kenyan lawyer with experience in policy research and analysis. She also supports the communications team at DR. Ivory speaks English, Swahili and French.

Yixin Yu

INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION POLICY LEAD

Yixin Yu

INVESTMENT AND TRADE PROMOTION POLICY LEAD

Yixin is a Junior Research Analyst at Development Reimagined. Her focus area is on public-private partnership and entrepreneurship. She has over three years of experience across private and public sectors in Ethiopia. She was the China Liaison Officer for project ‘Partnership for Investment and Growth in Africa’ at International Trade Centre, where she accumulated rich experience in investment and trade promotion.

Leah Lynch

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Leah Lynch

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Leah Lynch is Deputy Director of Development Reimagined (DR) and is based in London, UK. Leah has over 12 years of experience in development and lived in China for over 10 years. Leah has also travelled extensively around Asia and Africa for research. Leah supports the strategic direction of the team and engagement with key stakeholders across China and the UK. Previously, Leah was chair of the Sustainability Forum at the British Chamber of Commerce in China, providing direction on sustainability initiatives for British and Chinese business and has also consulted on various evaluations on UK aid (ICAI). Leah is a specialist on development cooperation from the UK and China and has advised on various United Nations projects, including providing support to the UN China team during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prior to DR, Leah was at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China, supporting the UN’s portfolio on communication strategies, China’s South-South Cooperation and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Before UNDP, Leah lived and worked in Kenya developing sustainable water policies for the Kenyan government.

LAUREN ASHMORE

AFRICA'S CLIMATE ACTION LEAD AND PROGRAM MANAGER

LAUREN ASHMORE

AFRICA'S CLIMATE ACTION LEAD AND PROGRAM MANAGER

Lauren leads Development Reimagined's climate action work area. She manages research across diverse areas of climate action, with a specific focus on South-South cooperation, and analyses how countries are using tools such as NDCs and SDGs to build a more climate-resilient future. Her writings and expert insights have been featured in media such as BBC Afrique, The Diplomat and African Business. Lauren has lived in six countries from the Americas to Europe and Asia and speaks both French and Spanish proficiently. She holds a Masters in International Relations (Cum Laude) from Leiden University.

RUGARE MUKANGANGA

ECONOMIC ADVISOR

RUGARE MUKANGANGA

ECONOMIC ADVISOR

Rugare is a Data and Economic Analyst and commercial farmer with a background in economics, data analysis, marketing and business development. His interests include energy security, sustainable development, technology and languages. He specialises in analytical reporting. He holds a BSc in Economics from Wuhan University.

HUIYI CHEN

CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS LEAD

HUIYI CHEN

CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS LEAD

Huiyi is a Research and Coordination Analyst. Her aspiration to contribute to decolonizing development knowledge informs her focus on the Belt & Road Initiative, women's empowerment and the social impact of development aid in Africa. Huiyi previously worked as a think tank researcher with substantial experience in China's development trajectories and its rising role in global governance. She holds an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics. Her specialisations at DR include the Belt & Road Initiative, China-Africa cooperation, international relations and global governance, comparative politics, the informal economy and urban development.

OSARU OMOSIGHO

DECOLONISING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER

OSARU OMOSIGHO

DECOLONISING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER

Osaru is a Project Manager for our Global Health and Decolonising Development projects – which focus on health security, supplies and systems in Africa and more, building evidence for data-driven systemic change and decolonisation in the aid and development sector. At Development Reimagined, she applies her experience to health and decolonisation research, as well as collating locally applicable development insights from China. Osaru has experience in primary healthcare at the private and public level, and holds an MSc in Health Systems Policy from Queen Mary University of London.

PATRICK ANAM

AFRICAN INSTITUTIONS ENGAGEMENT LEAD

PATRICK ANAM

AFRICAN INSTITUTIONS ENGAGEMENT LEAD

Patrick is an International Trade Policy and Trade Law Expert with over 5 years of experience. His expertise includes trade law, trade policy analysis and regional integration. He is currently engaged with Development Reimagined as a Senior Trade Analyst and was the lead author of Development Reimagined's recent Report on Africa-China Relations titled "From China-Africa to Africa- China: A Blue Print for a Green and Inclusive Continent-Wide Strategy Towards China" and “Reimaging FOCAC Going Forward.” Patrick has previously consulted for the East African Community, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and for the Kenya Ministry of Trade.

Yike Fu

CHINA'S CLIMATE FINANCE POLICY LEAD AND PROGRAM MANAGER

Yike Fu

CHINA'S CLIMATE FINANCE POLICY LEAD AND PROGRAM MANAGER

Yike Fu is a Policy Analyst and Program Manager at Development Reimagined, specializing in African development, China-Africa relations and development finance. She has been responsible for leading numerous areas of work at DR including on debt analysis in Africa and beyond, China-Africa trade and investment logistics and analysis, and climate action. She previously worked at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Union Representational Mission to the United States. She holds an MA in International Affairs from The George Washington University.

JING CAI

AFRICA-CHINA PROGRAM MANAGER

JING CAI

AFRICA-CHINA PROGRAM MANAGER

Jing leads China-African health and agriculture cooperation research at Development Reimagined, having managed our FOCAC Policy Analysis and Advocacy project. She is also the co-author of “China-Africa Health Cooperation under FOCAC Umbrella”, in which she analysed China’s commitments around health cooperation since the first FOCAC summit and deepdived into four African countries’ health overview, challenges and cooperation with China as cases studies. Before DR, Jing worked at GIZ Cambodia on M&E of a disability advocacy project. She also worked as a translator with Chinese medical team in Benin.

SENA VONCUJOVI

DECOLONISING DEVELOPMENT POLICY ANALYST

SENA VONCUJOVI

DECOLONISING DEVELOPMENT POLICY ANALYST

Sena Voncujovi is a Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined. Voncujovi specializes in global health issues, Japan-Africa relations and China-Africa relations. Previously, as a Yenching Scholar at Peking University, he served as the Editor-in-Chief of Peking University’s Africa Think Tank (PATT) before obtaining his Master's degree in International Relations & Politics. Voncujovi advised the Ghanaian government for the 2019 TICAD 7 Conference held in Yokohama. He is also the co-founder of Jaspora, Tokyo’s largest community of African diasporan diplomats, changemakers, professionals, students, and business people.

JUDITH MWAI

AFRICAN DIPLOMACY IN CHINA LEAD

JUDITH MWAI

AFRICAN DIPLOMACY IN CHINA LEAD

Judith is a Research and Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined, where she specialises in Africa-China relations, international development, and diplomacy. During her time at Development Reimagined, Judith has co-authored several articles published in The Diplomat on debt and China-Barbados relations and was quoted by China Daily in a piece on women's rights in China. Previously, Judith worked in Kenya as a research analyst for an Advocate and Commissioner and Oats office.

JADE SCARFE

AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND G20 ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM MANAGER

JADE SCARFE

AFRICA'S DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND G20 ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM MANAGER

Jade is a Project Manager for Development Reimagined’s flagship project Africa Unconstrained, which focuses on financing needs and debt vulnerabilities of African countries. Her research focuses on China-Africa development finance alongside debt vulnerabilities, infrastructure needs and South-South cooperation. She has worked with a breadth of stakeholders from China, Africa and the wider international community, including governments, private sector, NGOs and civil society. Her writing has appeared in a number of publications, including The Africa Report, The China-Africa Project, The Diplomat and more. Jade holds a Master’s in China and Globalisation studies from King’s College London.

CHENSI LI

AFRICA-CHINA POLICY ANALYST

CHENSI LI

AFRICA-CHINA POLICY ANALYST

Chensi Li is a Research Analyst at Development Reimagined. Her prior work experience spans local NGOs in Nigeria and Cameroon and think-tanks in Pakistan. Her research areas include Sino-African relations, African foreign affairs, public diplomacy, state-building and national governance.

ETSEHIWOT KEBRET

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS POLICY LEAD

ETSEHIWOT KEBRET

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS POLICY LEAD

Etsehiwot is a Development Finance Advisor focusing on Special Drawing Rights, Multilateral Bank Reform, the Sustaianble Development Goals (SDGs) and African debt. Her writing can be found in the Diplomat, CSIS Africa, China Dialogue, Africa Business and more. Prior to DR, Etsehiwot had diverse experience in humanitarian and development issues, working in both multilateral organizations and international non-governmental organizations. She holds a Masters’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.

OUR TEAM

THE KEY PEOPLE BEHIND OUR GLOBAL IMPACT

Hannah Ryder

ROSIE WIGMORE

OVIGWE EGUEGU

IVORY KAIRO

Yixin Yu

Leah Lynch

LAUREN ASHMORE

RUGARE MUKANGANGA

HUIYI CHEN

OSARU OMOSIGHO

PATRICK ANAM

Yike Fu

JING CAI

SENA VONCUJOVI

JUDITH MWAI

JADE SCARFE

CHENSI LI

ETSEHIWOT KEBRET

PLUS MANY MORE PART-TIME EXPERTS ON EVERY TOPIC, ACROSS THE GLOBE

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