FiBS Afrique, a newly established Kenyan-German company and a daughter company of FiBS Research Institute for the Economics of Education and Social Affairs and RILLL Research Institute on Lifelong Learning.
We want everyone, regardless of age, wealth or background, to be able to make the most of their potential. We have been working towards this goal for more than 30 years. In a diverse, systematic, differentiated and comprehensive manner. With our new base in Kenya we are addressing now Africa, following our longstanding and ongoing work in Germany, Europe and worldwide.
The FiBS-Afrique team currently comprises six individuals who all bring a range of diverse experiences, areas of expertise and knowledge to the team, as well as a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Board of Directors
Dr. Dieter Dohmen – CEO/Managing Director of FiBS Afrique; he has founded and manages various other companies: FiBS Research Institute for Education and Social Economics was founded in 1993, two other non-for-profit companies FiBS ElternHotline gGmbH and FiBS RILLL Research Institute on Lifelong Learning gGmbH were established in 2020. The two research entities are growing strongly over the last years, which demands to establish responsive and agile organisational structures and working conditions as well as to engage and motivate staff in challenging projects and times. In this sense, he is a very experienced manager. FiBS Afrique now complements the company portfolio with its particular attention to Kenya and Africa. Dieter is researcher, consultant as well as entrepreneur, analyst and visionist. He views education and learning from a lifelong learning perspective, which starts at very early ages (ECEC) and ends only at the very latest stages of life. During this learning journey one may enter into the different sectors of education: early education centres, school, (technical and) vocational education and training, university and further/adult education.
Dieter was a member of the European Commission’s expert group “Quality investment in education” and is member of the International and Continuing Adult Education Hall of Fame. He has been the editor of the book series “Management concrete” for ECEC staff, particularly centre directors. Staffing quality and working conditions played and play a role in various projects, incl. the present evaluation of ECEC funding in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, but also in the School principles survey conducted earlier this year. He has been responsible for more than 150 projects related to all sectors of education (ECEC, School education, VET, Higher education and Adult Learning). The projects focussed almost all topics relevant for the sectors as well as for education in general. Dr. Dohmen is an advisor to several ministries in Germany as well as other European and non-European countries and the European Commission (DG EAC & DG EMPL). In 2019 he was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame.
Dr. Waiswa Waanaseti – Deputy Managing Director is a social pedagogical researcher, educator, and consultant with over ten years of experience in research, teacher training, and education policy across Africa and Europe. He holds a PhD in Education from Freie Universität Berlin and earned both a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Education with distinction from Kenyatta University. His work focuses on early childhood development, home learning and literacy environments (HLEs), school–home collaboration, and parental involvement in education. He has a strong interest in emerging trends in education and curriculum, as well as in conducting research with children and young people in sub-Saharan Africa. His methodological strengths lie in mixed methods research, particularly involving children and youth in both basic and policy-oriented studies. Dr. Waanaseti has led or contributed to national and regional initiatives on foundational literacy, learning assessments, girls’ education and advocacy, youth development, marginalized communities, and public sector evaluations. He has previously worked as an independent researcher and trainer, and as a lecturer in teacher training colleges in Kenya. He is multilingual-fluent in English, Swahili, and Luhya, with a working knowledge of German.
Prof. Godwin Siundu – Director Legal Affairs is a corporate and commercial lawyer and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with expertise in project commercialization, legal compliance, public-private partnerships, and public finance management among other areas of legal practice. He works across sectors to deliver practical legal solutions, collaborating with professionals in finance, education, development, and regulation. He has consulted for IGAD, Save the Children, ILRI, the World Bank, and IFC, advising on housing policy, land reform, legal due diligence and compliance, and institutional restructuring. His regional experience spans Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. He has also led evaluations on youth radicalization, financial inclusion, and development aid. Prof. Siundu is an Associate Professor at the University of Nairobi and former Guest Professor at Humboldt University of Berlin. He has authored over 30 academic publications. He holds a PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; a Master of Philosophy and a Bachelor of Education from Moi University; a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Nairobi; and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
Daniel Wesonga – Director Research & Development is an education and development expert with over 30 years’ experience designing and leading transformative programs across East and Central Africa. With a background in teaching and a Master of Education in Economics and Planning, Daniel has shaped education policy, teacher training, and institutional capacity in diverse contexts―from refugee camps to national ministries. He has advised governments, multilateral agencies, and NGOs on early childhood, primary, secondary, TVET, and higher education. His work spans program design, evaluation, and policy reform, including leadership in multi-country initiatives supported by the EU, DFID, UNICEF, Global Affairs Canada, and the World Bank. Daniel is known for his strategic insight, practical systems thinking, and deep understanding of local education ecosystems. He brings expertise in Theory of Change, mixed methods research, and capacity development―especially in fragile and post-conflict contexts. A published researcher and former university lecturer, he offers credible, field-tested guidance for inclusive, data-driven education reform.
Raphael Matu – Director Finance is an accomplished economist, Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K), and strategic advisor with over two decades of experience in public finance, economic policy, and institutional development. He is the senior partner at Matu Wahome & Associates and leads two other firms: Finsolution Consultants Ltd, a leading financial, training, and fintech solutions firm; and Royal Business School (RBS), which has trained thousands of accountancy professionals across the region. He has successfully led consultancy assignments for high-impact organizations including the World Bank, GIZ, CBI, CBK Pension Fund, KTDA, KASNEB, NG-CDF, and End Poverty, focusing on strategic planning, fiscal management, capacity building, and impact investment. His recent work includes leading strategic plans for several public sector entities and advising SMEs through the WE4F program and Kua Ventures. A regular speaker at national forums and panelist at the ICPAK Economic Symposia. Raphael also serves on ICPAK’s Tax & Economic Panel and Elections Committee. He has taught at leading institutions such as Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and CUEA, and frequently shares expert commentary on TV and in national publications. Raphael holds a Master’s in Economics from the University of Nairobi and is completing his Ph.D. in Public Sector and International Economics at Kenyatta University.
Kolya Zickerow – Director Visibility is a young forward thinking marketing specialist, always striving to find the right approach to reach the intended target audience.
He acquainted his knowledge in marketing, client acquisition and customer handling through learning-by-doing, when he started working for LEGO, where he was promoted to a superviser within very short time, giving him the ability to make first steps in a leadership position.
He went on to work in marketing, founding his first company, where he was responsible not only for day-to-day-operations but also for targeted client acquisition. The before mentioned had him in front of decision makers faster than he could grasp, opening up a new head-space of endless possibilities. A change of directions caused Kolya to deeply immerse himself into the cigar scene, he started working at Zigarren Herzog and the La Casa del Habano Berlin. In his freetime, Kolya is fascinated by the question: what keeps people fascinated? He is on an ongoing quest to demystify the possibilities of the online world and its impact on global communities.
The FiBS team is currently composed of 20 individuals, all of whom bring their own diverse experiences, range of expertise, specialized knowledge, and ethnic background to the table. This enables us to approach the projects entrusted to us from various perspectives, viewpoints, and experiential bases. This advantage makes us a strong partner in Germany and abroad on a wide variety of issues. The FiBS-Afrique team currently comprises six individuals who all bring a range of diverse experiences, areas of expertise and expertise knowledge to the team, as well as a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
