About us

Driving Africa’s Development from Within

At Desiderio Consultants, we believe that true development grows from within. Sustainable progress cannot be imported, it must be cultivated locally through knowledge, resilience, and creativity.

Based in Nairobi, one of Africa’s most dynamic business hubs, we work to strengthen customs, trade, and transport policies across the continent, reducing costs and boosting Africa’s trade capacity. Our network of seasoned experts brings deep regional experience and a shared vision: solutions must fit Africa’s realities.

We design flexible, adaptive, and innovative approaches tailored to each country’s needs. Above all, we believe in partnership—working closely with governments, regional bodies, and development partners. As the Swahili proverb says, “Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu” (united we stand, divided we fall).

Desiderio Consultants Ltd. is a think tank and a network of independent international development consultants established to promote and influence customs & trade-related policies in African nations to achieve trade facilitation reforms aimed at improving international and regional trade. We do this through high-quality research & analysis, advocacy, and strategic consultancy services. We participate in trade facilitation, economic integration, customs modernisation/cooperation and capacity building programs and conduct feasibility studies, gap analysis and assessment reports with regard to customs policies, regulation and procedures, providing recommendations aimed at supporting implementation of measures for simplifying and facilitating trade on behalf of international, regional or national institutions or bodies.

Our main experts:

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Danilo Desiderio is a lawyer specialized in customs and international trade law and a World Bank customs and trade expert with more than 20 years of experience in the provision of technical assistance to governments and international organisations in the areas of trade and transport facilitation, customs modernisation, and trade policy. He serves as Senior Associate at the Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI), and has authored numerous publications on customs, trade, and transport, featured in academic and professional journals worldwide. (Read more here).

Wangari Karanja, business support partner and executive assistant, is a member of the board of directors. She acts as representative of the company, liaising with individuals and organisations, coordinating public relations and supporting the CEO in the operations management of Desiderio Consultants Ltd. Her duties include assistance in research, communication, correspondence, and office management.

Felix Kariuki is a specialist in digital trade and digital transformation, a seasoned trade facilitation and private sector development expert with over 30 years of experience across Africa. He has led major trade reform programs, supporting governments to streamline business processes, digitalize trade systems, and foster sustainable private sector growth. Felix has worked across many countries, including Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Madagascar, Somalia, Djibouti, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Antony Munguti, is an ICT expert specialised in the design and implementation of measures aimed at streamlining and simplifying customs and other border agencies' IT procedures. Antony worked in Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia and his experience includes the development of the IT architectural design for One Stop Border Posts' (OSBPs) and the implementation of Single Window systems for harmonising and standardising the procedures of Customs and other cross-border regulatory agencies.

Denis Mahaja is a financial analist, a registered tax agent in Kenya, tax adviser and expert in financial auditing and company registration and incorporation. Holder of a Certificate in Business Management and Project Management issued by the Kenya Institute of Management, Denis covered many assignments as expert in business strategies and as a trainer in tax planning, assisting companies willing to settle in Africa in the development of a strategy for reducing the tax burden and mitigating tax risks. More info on the Denis' activity is on www.ssenato.co.ke

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Desiderio Consultants Ltd. co-operates and works in close collaboration with a number of law firms, customs brokers, customs consultants, accademic and research institutions as well as other professionals all over the world.