about
Martin Namasaka
Martin’s international career in International Development spans over 10 years. He has led teams across Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa and Somalia. With his in-depth knowledge of (current) African Development approaches and ample experience with large complex donor funded programs, he has also actively engaged on regional communications initiatives in Africa and beyond. More recently, he has been featured among 50 communications experts in the continent contributing to Africa’s socio-economic rise.
Martin holds a Masters of Science Degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a professional certificate on Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Nairobi.
He has attended various executive courses including Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) organised by the Springfield Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, Using Storytelling for Advocacy in Turkey organised by the Open Society Foundation. He is certified by the AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) in; HIV/AIDS, TB & Human Rights in Africa, Investment in Excellence by the Pacific Institute, and in The Outcome Harvesting Evaluation Methodology. From his M4P training, he has contributed to ‘Communications for M4P Handbook’ published by Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa).
Professional Experience
- Developed branding and visibility guidelines for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa to be used in COMESA Member States (Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe).
- In his career path, Mr. Namasaka has had the chance to be part of a team that formulated the regional Ebola Communications and Prevention road map, to prevent the spread of Ebola, for the entire African continent alongside organizations such as the African Union (AU), World Health Organization (WHO), World Council of Churches (WCC), UNICEF, ECOWAS, BBC Media Action, and the International Federation of Red Cross in Dakar Senegal. This experience contributed to his research paper “There is no Ebola Here: Lessons from Uganda and Liberia on the Political Economy of Epidemics” published by the Public Sphere Journal-a journal of international policy studies which aims to address some of today’s most important policy dilemmas via evidence-based research in economics and political science).
- Developed a regional communications strategy for the 50 Million African Women Speak Project funded by the African Development Bank and implemented in 38 African countries by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
- Developed and implemented the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Regional Communications Strategy for the Local Sourcing for Partnerships Project (LSP). Funded by the Investment Climate Facility for Africa (ICF) and USAID, the project was implemented in 6 countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia).
- Developed and implemented Communications and Visibility Strategy for the Regional Approaches for Sustainable Conflict Management and Integration (RASMI). RASMI is a € 3,000,000, 3 year project implemented by Pact World and funded by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF). The project is being implemented in Mandera country, Kenya, Gedo region in Somalia and Dolo in the Somali region of Ethiopia.
- Developed and implemented Communications and Visibility Strategy for Selam Ekisil (SEEK). SEEK is a € 3,000,000, 3 year project implemented by Pact World and funded by the European Union Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF). It is being implemented in Turkana, Marsabit (North Horr), Kenya; South Omo Zone, SNNPR region, Ethiopia.
Speaking Engagements
Activities
Speaking Engagements
During his studies at the LSE, he participated in the 2015 BBC Africa Debate on, “Has Africa Outgrown Development Aid?” (30mins), in London.
He has given a master class on ‘Development of PR and Communication Strategies’ at the Strathmore Business School in 2018.
Martin facilitating a session on development of PR and Communication Strategies
In 2018, he also mentored 3rd year Bachelor of Commerce Students at Strathmore University on leadership, his life experiences, on the job lessons, the kind of leaders he has worked with, what he has learned from them, qualities of leaders he admires, influencing styles he has used to get things, leadership challenges, dilemmas and how to be effective amidst setbacks.
Martin mentoring students at Strathmore University on leadership
In 2019 he gave a master class on ‘Strategic Communications’ at the Somaliland Ministry of Justice in Hargeisa, Somaliland.
In 2019, Martin facilitated sessions on promoting sustainable peace through national youth policies in the framework of 2030 Agenda which was convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the Government of Kenya and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) convened at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya.
Martin at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya during the workshop on promotion of sustainable peace through National youth policies in the framework of 2030 Agenda