From seller of mitumba to proprietor of logistics firm

Nancy Amunga has beaten all odds to build a successful business.

“When I was growing up I wanted to be a news anchor. I had a burning desire for TV but as time went by, I decided to explore other ideas,” she said.

She opted to venture into business, but things were not as rosy as she had anticipated. Ms Amunga started with selling mitumba (second-hand clothes) at City Stadium in Nairobi. However, the venture collapsed a few months later.

Despite that initial setback, Ms Amunga is now the proud owner of Dana Communications Ltd, a logistics firm which majors in last mile delivery services.

They deliver to your doorstep when you order online. “We do the deliveries in Nairobi and its environs but we are soon rolling out to other parts of the country,” she said.

AWARDED

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she was named one of the top 25 under 25 entrepreneurs in Kenya.

Since then, her stars started shining brighter. In 2016, Ms Amunga participated in the UNCTAD youth forum and in 2017 she was in Kampala for the Commonwealth Youth Ministers meeting.

“In April, I was named the Commonwealth Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 during the Commonwealth Youth Forum which was held during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, UK,” she said.

“I had the opportunity to engage with Prince William and I explained to him about my business and the work I am doing with young entrepreneurs in East Africa. I then got an invitation to Queen Elizabeth’s 92nd birthday,” she recounted.

In July this year, she was an honoree of Africa Achievers Awards at an event held at the House of Commons in the UK. She was the youngest honoree.

This prestigious awards has previously honoured big names like Desmond Tutu.

CAPITAL

Recalling her beginnings, Ms Amunga said: “Inadequate capital was such a big hindrance but I decided to start with what I had.”

Ms Amunga has also brushed shoulders with Chinese business magnate Jack Ma.

“Jack Ma and UNCTAD have a partnership programme called E-founders which was launched in 2017 to promote entrepreneurs in the digital and logistics spaces. I went to China for two weeks and got first-hand experience of how Alibaba operates.”

It is such experiences that she’s now sharing with other young people through forums like the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs in East Africa, where she acts as the coordinator.

“We hold mentorship sessions for young entrepreneurs and also connect them to mentors,” she said.

So who is her role model? “Many people have been instrumental in my journey but one woman who has really inspired, motivated and pushed me is Mrs Zahra Moi, the wife of Baringo Senator Gideon Moi,” she said.

MENTORSHIP

Ms Anunga urges the youth not to lose hope despite the tough business environment.

“So long as you have the passion, go for it! Just make sure that you are resilient, committed, persistent and consistent,” she said.

Her long term goal is to grow Dana Communications into a world class logistics firm and to touch more lives through mentorship.

The first born in a family of six went to Kaloleni Primary School in Nairobi, CGHU Primary and later Madira Girls’ High School in Vihiga County.

She also holds a diploma in Media and Communications from Multimedia University.