ABOUT STRATLINK
The Strategic Link to Emerging Markets
StratLink is an Africa focused advisory firm providing actionable research, operational support and capital advisory services that result in profitable outcomes for our clients.
Our team has extensive experience across a diverse range of industries and a proven ability to raise strategic debt and equity capital. We leverage our deep knowledge of emerging markets and our world class expertise to connect growing companies with leading global investment banks, impact funds, private equity firms and family offices
ADVISORY
StratLink Advisory connects investors to rapidly growing companies in emerging markets. We identify investment opportunities with strong growth prospects, experienced management teams and significant barriers to entry. To businesses we provide strategic and operational support through targeted analysis and recommendations; develop detailed growth plans and provide an executable road map for implementation.
Our services include:
Origination:
We undertake a top-down analysis of attractive sectors poised for expansion in sub-Saharan Africa and seek individual companies with growth, profitability and exit potential. We identify investment targets that match our investors’ sector, financial return and social impact requirements.
Expansion capital:
Based on a growth plan, we raise strategic debt and equity capital to optimize our client’s capital structure.
Mergers, acquisitions & divestment:
We advise our clients on developing unique risk-reward profiles for each transaction we undertake.
Growth & Market Entry Strategy:
Assisting companies to expand their operations across geographies to access new markets. We collaborate with companies to develop and execute growth strategies that include regional expansion, formation of alliances, joint ventures and other value-enhancing relationships and acquisitions.
Strategic and operational planning:
Developing essential tools to align investor and management expectations and employee execution. We work in partnership with our clients to develop medium and long-term strategic plans, budget forecasts and define a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to maximize financial returns and social impact.
Due diligence:
We leverage our sector teams to perform industry and company specific due diligence to test, refine and execute of our clients’ emerging market strategy. We utilize our network of industry experts to ensure our clients are positioned to make informed decisions.
GROWTH
StratLink Growth connects SME’s, funded startups and high performing social enterprises to our extensive network of funds, investors, donors and foundations. We have a team of experts with over a decade of expertise in the startup and impact ecosystem and a track record of transactions – exits, placements and due diligence.
Our services include:
Origination:
We identify investment targets that match our social investors, DFI’s and family offices requirements for financial return and social impact.
Expansion capital:
We raise strategic debt and equity capital to optimize our client’s capital structure..
Growth & Market Entry Strategy:
We assist companies in expanding their operations across geographies to access new markets. We collaborate with companies to develop and execute growth strategies that include regional expansion, formation of alliances, joint ventures and other value-enhancing relationships and acquisitions.
Strategic and operational planning:
Strategic and operational planning:
Developing essential tools to align investor and management expectations and employee execution. We work in partnership with our clients to develop medium and long-term strategic plans, budget forecasts and define a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to maximize financial returns and social impact.
RESEARCH
StratLink Research provides independent analysis on countries, industries and financial markets. With a key focus on Africa, we cover macroeconomics, political risk and capital markets. We use global trends to produce a continual, reflexive analysis of local content with a comprehensive analysis of the factors that impact market entry, government policy and investment decisions.
Our services include:
Market Research:
We conduct integrated quantitative and qualitative research in order to deliver a holistic view of the macro and micro economic factors impacting the private and public sectors in sub-Saharan Africa.
Business Intelligence:
Our research team provides business intelligence solutions and customized analysis services. We have an extensive library of proprietary reports covering sub-Saharan Africa and work with our clients to deliver tailor made research products.
TEAM
The StratLink team has experience working across major sectors in the African region and other emerging and frontier markets. Personal and professional leadership are at the core of StratLink’s development program. We strive to espouse the highest ideals and ethics in our work and in relating to our clients, partners and broad set of stakeholders.

Konstantin Makarov
Managing Partner
konstantin.makarov@stratlinkglobal.com
Konstantin, the Managing Partner, has over thirteen years of experience in the financial markets in general and emerging markets in particular. He brings a holistic approach in addressing challenges facing companies operating in the emerging and frontier economies. He is responsible for launch of African practice and oversight of all sub-Saharan African and South East Asian transactions at StratLink Africa.
Previously, he was directly responsible for market entry of US and CIS based companies into sub-Saharan Africa and has been involved in a wide scope of activity focusing on emerging economies in Africa and South East Asia.
He holds a Master of Science in Risk Management from Stern School of Business, New York University and Amsterdam Institute of Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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Konstantin Makarov
Managing Partner

Gianluca Storchi
Senior Research Analyst
gianluca.storchi@StratLinkglobal.com
Gianluca previously worked with FSD Kenya as a Program Manager for a professional development course targeting policy makers in the Public Sector as well as an economic consultant on various projects for clients including USAID and a leading commercial bank in Kenya. He covers macro and micro-economic research and analysis for East and West Africa, a portfolio of ten economies including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. He has significant experience in quantitative analysis with a focus on microeconomic data in addition to macroeconomic research and program administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and a Master of Science (MSc) in Economic Policy, both attained from University College London (UCL).
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Gianluca Storchi
Senior Research Analyst

Sandra Kayaki
Administration Specialist
sandra.kayaki@StratLinkglobal.com
Sandra is currently serving as an Administrative Specialist at StratLink. She has a wealth of experience in administrative tasks including scheduling, correspondence and Customer Care. Previously, she worked for a leading software development company as a Client Implementation Consultant as well as a Sales Accountant at Kenya Airways. Sandra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management (Marketing) from Moi University.
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Sandra Kayaki
Administration Specialist

Julio De Souza
Director, SME and Impact Finance
julio.desouza@stratLinkglobal.com
Julio is a Brazilian national who has lived and worked in Africa since 2005. He spent three years with UNDP in Kenya and Uganda working in the private sector development unit and later co-founded Nuru Energy East Africa in Rwanda, an award winning social enterprise in the renewable energy sector. In 2012, Julio returned to Kenya to run Farm Shop – an agro-dealer network distributing agricultural inputs for small holder farmers. Over the next five years he co-founded Let it Grow, a boutique marketing and branding agency and left for West Africa to work for a DFID funded project as a private sector adviser. Julio holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Economics from California State University Long Beach and a Master’s in Development Studies from University of Oslo. He joins StratLink as the director of SME and Impact Finance.
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Julio De Souza
Director, SME and Impact Finance

Dina Farfel
Partner
dfarfel@StratLinkglobal.com
LinkedIn Profile
Dina is a Partner at StratLink Global and is responsible for overseeing business development and deal origination for debt and equity financing transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, she provides management oversight of deal teams and leads structuring and deal execution for ongoing transactions; she has worked on equity and debt financing transactions totaling around USD 1.8 billion. Dina has over twelve years of experience in financial analysis and deal structuring and for the last five years Dina has been involved in projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa, serving in consultancy and management roles at Greylock Capital and Nova Capital Global Markets, respectively.
She holds a joint Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the London School of Economics and New York University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Finance concentration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
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Dina Farfel
Partner

Kyle Drexler
Transaction Associate
kyle.drexler@StratLinkglobal.com
Kyle is a Transaction Associate with more than ten years of experience working in the capital markets, technology, and start-up sectors. He has played a role in growing profits at a variety of enterprises including a billion dollar hedge fund, a brokerage firm on the trading floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a Fortune 200 telecommunications firm, and various startups and SMEs.
Kyle has received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics Management from Ohio Wesleyan University in the United States.
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Kyle Drexler
Transaction Associate

Jibek Baihodjoeva
Principal
Jibek.baihodjoeva@stratlinkglobal.com
Jibek Baihodjoeva is a principal in Strategic Africa Partners consulting and research with a focus on strategic change and research both at an enterprise level and for the consumer experience. With over ten years’ experience, she has worked with clients to develop new operating models, stand up new corporate divisions and optimize cross-functional performance within business units to drive revenue growth. Jibek has worked across industries, including agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, political and economic risk security and non-profit organizations. Jibek also worked at a leading security, risk and intelligence firm where she led a team of analysts tasked with covering Africa and Asia. The team conducted in depth research and analysis for fortune 500 clients. She has a Master of Arts in Crisis and Security Management from University of Leiden and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from University of St Thomas, Houston, USA (concentrations International Business and Relations).
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Jibek Baihodjoeva
Principal

Benson Njeri
Analyst
benson.njeri@StratLinkglobal.com
Benson Mwangi is currently the Corporate Finance Analyst at StratLink Africa. He has experience in bond trading, equities trading, settlement and pricing, as well as stock market analysis.
He previously worked as an Investment and Custodial Analyst at a leading bank in Kenya.
Benson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science with IT from Maseno University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as well as a Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA).
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Benson Njeri
Analyst

Julians Amboko
Senior Research Analyst
julians.amboko@stratlinkglobal.com
LinkedIn Profile
Julians is a Senior Research Analyst with StratLink Africa covering macro and micro-economic research and analysis for East and West Africa, a portfolio of ten economies including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. He has extensive experience in economic research and has been trained by the German Society for International Co-operation (GIZ) and the East African Community Secretariat on the structures and procedures of regional integration.
Julians has previously worked as an economics and business news correspondent for Nation Media Group and published commentary with leading newspapers.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Economics and Political Science from Kenyatta University and he is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics (Policy and Management) from the same university.
×

Julians Amboko
Senior Research Analyst

Sophia Sifuma
Research Analyst
sophia.sifuma@stratlinkglobal.com
Sophia is currently the Research Analyst at StratLink Africa covering macro and micro-economic research and analysis for East and West Africa, a portfolio of ten economies including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. She has extensive experience in the Financial Services industry including portfolio administration, asset management, financial planning, macro and micro-economic research; relationship management and administration.
Sophia has previously worked as the Portfolio Administrator at Ace Link Investments Ltd, as well as, Customer Service Executive and Economic Researcher at Zimele Asset Management.
Sophia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Mathematics and Economics). She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Nairobi.
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Sophia Sifuma
Research Analyst

Peter Mutisya
Director, Graphic Design
peter.mutisya@stratlinkglobal.com
Peter heads StratLink Africa's Graphic Design division and is involved in the generation and design of company reports.
He has vast experience spanning over fourteen years in graphics design, web design and photography predominantly in advertising and marketing. Peter has previously been involved in the execution of complex design concepts for multinational organizations including Unilever, Coca Cola and blue-chips such as Safaricom Ltd.
×

Peter Mutisya
Director, Graphic Design

Konstantin Makarov
Managing Partner
konstantin.makarov@stratlinkglobal.com
Konstantin, the Managing Partner, has over thirteen years of experience in the financial markets in general and emerging markets in particular. He brings a holistic approach in addressing challenges facing companies operating in the emerging and frontier economies. He is responsible for launch of African practice and oversight of all sub-Saharan African and South East Asian transactions at StratLink Africa.
Previously, he was directly responsible for market entry of US and CIS based companies into sub-Saharan Africa and has been involved in a wide scope of activity focusing on emerging economies in Africa and South East Asia.
He holds a Master of Science in Risk Management from Stern School of Business, New York University and Amsterdam Institute of Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Konstantin Makarov
Managing Partner

Gianluca Storchi
Senior Research Analyst
gianluca.storchi@StratLinkglobal.com
Gianluca previously worked with FSD Kenya as a Program Manager for a professional development course targeting policy makers in the Public Sector as well as an economic consultant on various projects for clients including USAID and a leading commercial bank in Kenya. He covers macro and micro-economic research and analysis for East and West Africa, a portfolio of ten economies including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. He has significant experience in quantitative analysis with a focus on microeconomic data in addition to macroeconomic research and program administration. He holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Economics and a Master of Science (MSc) in Economic Policy, both attained from University College London (UCL).

Gianluca Storchi
Senior Research Analyst

Sandra Kayaki
Administration Specialist
sandra.kayaki@StratLinkglobal.com
Sandra is currently serving as an Administrative Specialist at StratLink. She has a wealth of experience in administrative tasks including scheduling, correspondence and Customer Care. Previously, she worked for a leading software development company as a Client Implementation Consultant as well as a Sales Accountant at Kenya Airways. Sandra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management (Marketing) from Moi University.

Sandra Kayaki
Administration Specialist

Julio De Souza
Director, SME and Impact Finance
julio.desouza@stratLinkglobal.com
Julio is a Brazilian national who has lived and worked in Africa since 2005. He spent three years with UNDP in Kenya and Uganda working in the private sector development unit and later co-founded Nuru Energy East Africa in Rwanda, an award winning social enterprise in the renewable energy sector. In 2012, Julio returned to Kenya to run Farm Shop – an agro-dealer network distributing agricultural inputs for small holder farmers. Over the next five years he co-founded Let it Grow, a boutique marketing and branding agency and left for West Africa to work for a DFID funded project as a private sector adviser. Julio holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Economics from California State University Long Beach and a Master’s in Development Studies from University of Oslo. He joins StratLink as the director of SME and Impact Finance.

Julio De Souza
Director, SME and Impact Finance

Dina Farfel
Partner
dfarfel@StratLinkglobal.com
LinkedIn Profile
Dina is a Partner at StratLink Global and is responsible for overseeing business development and deal origination for debt and equity financing transactions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, she provides management oversight of deal teams and leads structuring and deal execution for ongoing transactions; she has worked on equity and debt financing transactions totaling around USD 1.8 billion. Dina has over twelve years of experience in financial analysis and deal structuring and for the last five years Dina has been involved in projects throughout sub-Saharan Africa, serving in consultancy and management roles at Greylock Capital and Nova Capital Global Markets, respectively.
She holds a joint Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the London School of Economics and New York University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Finance concentration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Dina Farfel
Partner

Kyle Drexler
Transaction Associate
kyle.drexler@StratLinkglobal.com
Kyle is a Transaction Associate with more than ten years of experience working in the capital markets, technology, and start-up sectors. He has played a role in growing profits at a variety of enterprises including a billion dollar hedge fund, a brokerage firm on the trading floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a Fortune 200 telecommunications firm, and various startups and SMEs.
Kyle has received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics Management from Ohio Wesleyan University in the United States.

Kyle Drexler
Transaction Associate

Jibek Baihodjoeva
Principal
Jibek.baihodjoeva@stratlinkglobal.com
Jibek Baihodjoeva is a principal in Strategic Africa Partners consulting and research with a focus on strategic change and research both at an enterprise level and for the consumer experience. With over ten years’ experience, she has worked with clients to develop new operating models, stand up new corporate divisions and optimize cross-functional performance within business units to drive revenue growth. Jibek has worked across industries, including agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, political and economic risk security and non-profit organizations. Jibek also worked at a leading security, risk and intelligence firm where she led a team of analysts tasked with covering Africa and Asia. The team conducted in depth research and analysis for fortune 500 clients. She has a Master of Arts in Crisis and Security Management from University of Leiden and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from University of St Thomas, Houston, USA (concentrations International Business and Relations).

Jibek Baihodjoeva
Principal

Benson Njeri
Analyst
benson.njeri@StratLinkglobal.com
Benson Mwangi is currently the Corporate Finance Analyst at StratLink Africa. He has experience in bond trading, equities trading, settlement and pricing, as well as stock market analysis.
He previously worked as an Investment and Custodial Analyst at a leading bank in Kenya.
Benson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science with IT from Maseno University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as well as a Certified Investment and Financial Analyst (CIFA).

Benson Njeri
Analyst

Julians Amboko
Senior Research Analyst
julians.amboko@stratlinkglobal.com
LinkedIn Profile
Julians is a Senior Research Analyst with StratLink Africa covering macro and micro-economic research and analysis for East and West Africa, a portfolio of ten economies including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. He has extensive experience in economic research and has been trained by the German Society for International Co-operation (GIZ) and the East African Community Secretariat on the structures and procedures of regional integration.
Julians has previously worked as an economics and business news correspondent for Nation Media Group and published commentary with leading newspapers.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Economics and Political Science from Kenyatta University and he is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics (Policy and Management) from the same university.

Julians Amboko
Senior Research Analyst

Sophia Sifuma
Research Analyst
sophia.sifuma@stratlinkglobal.com
Sophia is currently the Research Analyst at StratLink Africa covering macro and micro-economic research and analysis for East and West Africa, a portfolio of ten economies including Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. She has extensive experience in the Financial Services industry including portfolio administration, asset management, financial planning, macro and micro-economic research; relationship management and administration.
Sophia has previously worked as the Portfolio Administrator at Ace Link Investments Ltd, as well as, Customer Service Executive and Economic Researcher at Zimele Asset Management.
Sophia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (Mathematics and Economics). She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Nairobi.

Sophia Sifuma
Research Analyst

Peter Mutisya
Director, Graphic Design
peter.mutisya@stratlinkglobal.com
Peter heads StratLink Africa's Graphic Design division and is involved in the generation and design of company reports.
He has vast experience spanning over fourteen years in graphics design, web design and photography predominantly in advertising and marketing. Peter has previously been involved in the execution of complex design concepts for multinational organizations including Unilever, Coca Cola and blue-chips such as Safaricom Ltd.

Peter Mutisya
Director, Graphic Design
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides advice to guide StratLink in areas of research management, intellectual property development and management, intellectual property transactions and business, and client interaction. The Board also develops strategic guidelines for Africa focused engagements of our multinational clients.
Byron Roth
Chairman and CEO of ROTH Capital Partners, LLC.
Marlene Ngoyi
CEO of BGFI Capital
Mirafe Gebriel Marcos
Chief of Staff for the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency
Raymond F. Mui
Founding Partner of RFM Angel Partners
Carole Kariuki
CEO of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)
CLIENTS
Our clients range in size and include multinational companies, family owned businesses and Africa’s regional leaders.











Contact StratLink
Our head office is in Nairobi, Kenya and we maintain satellite offices in New York, Kuala Lumpur and Kampala.
Address
Delta Riverside, Block 4, 4th Floor
L.R. NO 4275/24
Riverside Drive, Nairobi
Phone
General Inquiries: +254202572792
Press: +254202572793
Careers: +254202572794
Email
info@stratlinkglobal.com