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About

KAIROS was founded on a simple observation.

Most companies entering West Africa underestimate the operational complexity of the region, and most advisors they hire to correct for that can describe the market but haven't operated in it. We exist to close that gap.

Donald Konan
Founder

Donald Konan

Founder & Principal Advisor

Donald is a senior operator with 22 years of executive experience across the three sectors that shape West Africa's real economy: telecom, logistics and retail networks, and FMCG / agro-industry.

In telecom, he led enterprise B2B at Orange Côte d'Ivoire, drove market acquisition at Moov Côte d'Ivoire (+25% market share over tenure), ran the high-end consumer segment at Ooredoo Algeria, and coordinated multi-country commercial projects at Comium Group across Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

In logistics and retail networks, he served as Director of Network and Commercial Development at La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire, overseeing a 200-branch physical network with 500+ staff and delivering +15% revenue growth through commercial transformation and the deployment of financial services (Mobile Money Poste).

In FMCG and agro-industry, he led Huilerie La Mé as Managing Director, running industrial palm oil production and commercialization across UEMOA — with full P&L accountability for distributor relationships, pricing negotiations, and logistics optimization.

He holds a degree in International Trade from ESCA Abidjan (INP-HB Yamoussoukro) and completed Business English studies at Brighton University (UK). Bilingual French / English.

Donald is also Founder of NOBLEX Capital, a holding structure overseeing his investment and advisory activities.

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Professional Experience

22 years of senior operational leadership.

Founder & Principal Advisor

KAIROS Advisory
2025 – Present · Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Boutique strategic advisory firm helping international companies enter, scale, and transform commercial operations across West & Central Africa with specialty focus on UEMOA markets.

Founder & President

NOBLEX Capital SAS
2024 – Present · Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

Holding company overseeing a portfolio of ventures across advisory, fintech, and investment activities in Francophone Africa.

Managing Director

Huilerie La Mé
May 2023 – Dec 2025 · Côte d'Ivoire

Industrial palm oil production and commercialization group operating across UEMOA. Full P&L leadership, key distributor account management, framework agreement negotiations, and distribution network optimization.

Director of Network & Commercial Development

La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire
Aug 2021 – May 2023 · Abidjan

Led commercial performance and network development for Côte d'Ivoire's national postal operator. Supervision of 200-branch retail network and 500+ staff. Deployment of Mobile Money Poste. +15% revenue growth.

Director of Projects & Strategic Planning

La Poste de Côte d'Ivoire
May 2019 – Aug 2021 · Abidjan

Led group-level strategic planning function and cross-functional project portfolio. Prepared the commercial and digital transformation roadmap executed from 2021 onward.

Managing Director

ANOOVO CI
Aug 2015 – Present · Abidjan

Digital technology platform focused on networks, social platforms, and business services. Strategic B2B partnerships and corporate account management.

Deputy Director — Marketing Innovation

Comium Mobile Group
Aug 2011 – Jul 2015 · Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Gambia, Sierra Leone

Led multi-country commercial projects across four West African markets. Development and launch of B2B offerings and loyalty programs. Estimated +50% revenue uplift on selected offers.

Senior Manager — Products & Services

Comium Côte d'Ivoire
Aug 2008 – May 2011 · Abidjan

Strategic planning for consumer and enterprise product portfolio. eVoucher and prepaid distribution strategy. New product development lifecycle management.

Head of High-End Market Department

Ooredoo (Nedjma) — Marketing & Sales
Mar 2007 – Aug 2008 · Algiers, Algeria

Led the premium consumer and B2B segment for Ooredoo Algeria. Customer acquisition strategy for premium segments, revenue growth development.

Market Manager — Marketing & Sales

Moov Côte d'Ivoire (Maroc Telecom Group)
Mar 2006 – Feb 2007 · Abidjan

Customer acquisition strategy execution in hyper-competitive telecom environment. +25% market share growth during tenure.

Enterprise Market Manager (B2B)

Orange Côte d'Ivoire
Oct 2001 – Jul 2005 · Abidjan

Led B2B / Enterprise segment marketing for Orange Côte d'Ivoire. B2B product and pricing plan design. +17% revenue growth in 2003, +20% revenue growth in 2004.

Education

École Supérieure de Commerce d'Abidjan (ESCA) — INP-HB Yamoussoukro · Diploma in International Trade · 2001

Brighton University, United Kingdom · Business English Program · 2000

Languages

French — Native · English — Professional working proficiency

How We Work

A small number of engagements. Direct senior attention. Honest fit assessment.

We take on a small number of engagements each quarter. Every client gets direct senior attention — there is no "team of juniors" delivering the work under a senior name on the invoice.

We are honest about fit. If we are not the right partner for a given engagement, we say so — and often refer elsewhere. The cost of taking on work we can't execute excellently is higher than the revenue it generates.

We protect client confidentiality strictly. Client names, financial terms, and strategic context are never discussed publicly without explicit authorization.

We price based on value delivered, not hours billed. Retainers are monthly fixed fees. Sprints are fixed-fee. Board advisory is quarterly retainer. No hourly rates. No scope creep surprises.

Ready to have a conversation?

The best way to understand if KAIROS is the right partner is a 30-minute call.

Book a Discovery Call