Key skills and expertise.

With over 18 years of experience, including 12 years in program management across Southern and East Africa, Marnix brings a wealth of knowledge in agribusiness development, value chain analysis, SME finance, and climate finance. Career highlights include leading the USD 6.0 million New Zealand-funded Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme and the USD 5.1 million Netherlands-funded Agriterra project, as well as FCDO-funded Prospero/PEP-Z in Zambia, showcasing strategic insight and leadership capabilities. Responsibilities have included project management, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, demonstrating a proven ability to drive sustainable development impact and collaborate effectively across sectors.

Project experience and donor exposure.

Marnix worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Royal Netherlands’ Embassy, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). His involvement has encompassed project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in sectors including agribusiness, climate finance, and SME development. These initiatives have been regional and national in scope, particularly across Southern and East Africa, with significant projects in Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

Sectors and geographic focus.

Marnix previously held roles such as project manager, consultant, and director, and has worked across key sectors such as agribusiness, food systems development, SME finance, climate finance, and public policy. His responsibilities have included program management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Marnix's cross-cutting expertise includes integrating climate-resilient practices in agriculture and promoting sustainable development. The geographic scope of work spans Southern and East Africa, with significant contributions to regional development initiatives and deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics.

Languages and education.

Bringing a multilingual capability, Marnix is a native Dutch speaker and fluent in English, with intermediate proficiency in French and Swahili, and fair proficiency in German. These language skills have been utilized in diverse contexts, including in-country work, collaboration with multilingual teams, and international development projects. Marnix's educational background includes a post-graduate degree in Financial and Macro-Economic Policy from Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands. Additional qualifications include an MSc in Economics & Geography and an MSc in International Development Studies from Utrecht University, Utrecht School of Economics, along with a BSc in Economics & Geography from the same institution.