About The Baobab Network

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Building Baobab businesses

Our name, brand and identity are inspired by the Baobab tree, an iconic symbol of life and growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Baobab Team

We are a team of entrepreneurs, passionate about driving innovation and investment across Africa.

ARTHUR CHUPEAU
Venture Partner

Arthur joined us from I&P in Cameroon as a Venture Partner. In the last 10 years Arthur has worked across four continents and brings with him deep experience in PE and Investment Banking. Arthur drives forward the growth of our portfolio, and leads on the development of our work in West and Central Africa.

JOHN ELIAKIM
Partnerships Lead, East Africa

John joined our team in 2019 to lead on our business development in East Africa. Having previously worked for corporates and start-ups across Africa, John is passionate about driving new business. John holds degrees from University of Nairobi and the Management University of Africa.

TOM FAIRBURN
Co-Founder

Tom’s family have lived in Kenya since 1993 and he spent eleven years at school in Nairobi. After graduating from The University of Bath, Tom worked at an FMCG in brand strategy and commodity buying roles before setting up TBN.

TOBY HANINGTON
Co-Founder

Toby met Tom at the University of Bath, and they also spent some time studying in Vancouver. Toby joined the world of investment banking after university, and set up TBN after a brief stint coaching the Swaziland National Rugby team.

MARIA INZIANI
Data Scientist

Maria specialises in data analytics and research, driving forward the quality and depth of the Baobab Insights platform. Having previously worked at KPMG and Asoko Insights, Maria leads on the development of our sector specific market insight reports. Her three passions in life are fashion, interior design and data.

RUTH NYAKIO
Data Scientist

Ruth studied Computer Science at Ashesi University in Ghana, before joining Equity Bank as an Analyst. A passionate mathematician, Ruth leads on the research and analytics behind Baobab Insights, reporting on trends and analysing key data sets.

RON ONYONKA
Full Stack Developer

One of Kenya’s hottest young tech talents, Ron joined us from Upande to lead on the development of the Baobab Insights data platform. Ron is a Biochemistry grad from Egerton University and an alumnus of Moringa School, where he completed an immersive software engineering course, specialising in Full Stack Python.

JACK RUMBLE
Head of Research

Jack runs our research platform, Baobab Insights. After receiving his Masters in Chemistry, Jack has worked for big firms in New York and London and developed a passion for SSA working with start-ups in Uganda and Rwanda. You may also recognise him from his cameo in zombie-flick 'Gangsters, Guns & Zombies'.

RICH SEARS
Head of Ventures

Rich is in charge of scaling TBN’s portfolio companies. In 2014 Rich co-founded Yagro, one of the UK’s fastest growing AgTech start-ups. A Cambridge and SOAS graduate, Rich is passionate about development and holds the world record for the longest journey in a tuk tuk, having driven around the world supporting education projects.

BEN WYLIE
Growth Manager

Having founded an AI start-up at University, Ben was Baobab’s first employee, and since joining has worked in both ventures and growth roles. Ben now lives on a canal boat and heads up our Baobab Insights partnerships team, helping VCs and corporates around the world unlock better data in Africa.