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AGNES GATHAIYA
COUNTRY DIRECTOR, GOOGLE EAST AFRICA
The extraordinary Agnes Gathaiya is a true trailblazer in the world of business leadership and organisational development. As Country Director for East Africa at Google, Ms Gathaiya’s journey to success has been a tale of determination, resilience and dedication.
She completed her high school studies at Loreto Convent Valley Road (LCVR), setting the stage for a transformative educational adventure that guided her to Bryn Mawr College in the United States (US). Immersed in a world of books and journals, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Economics in 1997, a momentous achievement that marked the beginning of her professional journey.
Born into a family of four children, Ms Gathaiya imbibed the values of hard work, integrity, and consistency from her hardworking civil and structural engineering father and a resilient mother, who doubled as a midwife and a dedicated farmer. Inspired by their work ethic and determination, she learned the art of balancing responsibilities and embraced early mornings tending to dairy cows on her family’s farm.
Ms Gathaiya’s quest for excellence led her back to Kenya after her studies in the US, where she fortuitously found her place at Deloitte, one of the Big 4 accounting consultancy firms. For thirteen years, she thrived in diverse corporate environments, working on assignments that drove transformations for numerous organisations. Ms Gathaiya honed her skills in turning around distressed firms and delivering on corporate strategic objectives. By the time her tenure was up, Deloitte was a highly sought-after firm in the private and public sectors.
In 2011, System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) beckoned with new challenges, offering Ms Gathaiya the role of Public Sector Director. Swiftly, she became the Director responsible for all of SAP’s Large Enterprise business in the region. Under her leadership, the company achieved a staggering 250 percent sales growth in the first year. Ms Gathaiya also initiated the groundbreaking Skills for Africa program, ensuring the certification of SAP practitioners, and changing the lives of numerous graduates.
However, the relentless travel requirements of the job clashed with her responsibilities as a mother to a young child. Determined to prioritise her family, she left SAP and sought roles with less travel, taking the reins as General Manager (GM) at Chase Bank (now SBM Bank) for over a year, and then transitioning to Safaricom as Head of Enterprise Sales for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in 2016. During this time, Ms Gathaiya and her team transformed the lives of countless SMEs, crafting products that added tangible value.
In February 2018, Ms Gathaiya assumed the role of CEO at Pesalink – Integrated Payment Services, leading the newly launched banking service to create trust among stakeholders and become a household name. With her vision and determination, the platform provided affordable, real-time payments, breaking new ground in the financial world.
Today, as Country Director for East Africa at Google, Agnes Gathaiya spearheads the mission of organising the world’s information to make it accessible to all. Collaborating with businesses, she and her able team empower enterprises to go digital and thrive in the ever-changing landscape.
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Ms Gathaiya is a strong advocate for increasing female representation in the tech industry. She co-founded Hernovation, mentoring and coaching women tech managers to become organisation leaders, equipping them with essential soft skills and fostering growth. Moreover, as part of African Women in Fintech and Payments, she fosters a vibrant community of over 200 women, igniting change and empowerment in the fintech world.
Through her diverse experience and remarkable leadership, Agnes Gathaiya has cemented her position as a thought leader at Google and a trailblazer in the realm of business and technology. Her inspiring journey continues to inspire and uplift those around her, proving that with passion, determination, and a visionary spirit, the sky’s the limit.
Google is a renowned global technology giant. The company has been actively expanding its footprint in East Africa, with offices in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. Google offers popular products and services, including Google Search, Maps, YouTube, Gmail, and Drive, customised to meet the needs of the local market. Additionally, the company has launched initiatives like Google for Education and Google My Business to support local businesses and educational institutions.
Emphasising digital skills training, Google empowers individuals and businesses with the knowledge to utilise digital tools effectively. Collaborating with governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and private entities, Google contributes to social and economic development across the region.
