Bio

Dr. David Wachira is a fintech entrepreneur and public finance specialist. He is currently the co-founder and COO of fintech startup Waya and Janta Capital, a fund focused on African Investments towards SMEs. Previously, he served as a public finance specialist at the World Bank; and as the co-Secretary for the World Bank Group's Youth to Youth, managing and supporting multibillion-dollar programs across 38 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. His experience includes fintech, banking, public financial management, tax and revenue administration, and public policy. Prior to joining the World Bank, he taught public policy at Southern Methodist University (SMU); served as a teaching fellow in public finance, bureaucracy, and public administration at the University of North Texas, and as an assistant professor of history and economics at Wiley College. In 2014, he established the Wachira Endowment for Public Service to provide scholarships and grants to international graduate students and in 2017 he co-founded the Youth Engagement Society (YES), to empower the youth through connections with successful role models by providing resources and opportunities to network with leaders and young professionals from various settings and careers. Dr. Wachira holds a BA in Political Science and History, an MA in History, and a Ph.D. in Public Finance and Public Management. His dissertation topic was on “The Interactive Effect of Fund Balance and Revenue Diversification on Local Government Fiscal Sustainability.” He also holds several publications on transparency, e-government, organizational culture, fiscal sustainability, and spending efficiency. He serves on the board for Inspire Spaces, the Daystar University Entrepreneurship Academy, Kenya Diaspora Summit, Miale Solar Inventions, and as a member of the President’s Council at the University of North Texas.