ABOUT THE TEAM
Janet Cherono
Chief of Staff, AfriqueU Nairobi, Kenya
Janet Cherono is an accomplished executive administrator with over 15 years of experience supporting high-level leadership across government, private sector, and international development.
At AfriqueU, she anchors cross-continental operations by managing executive coordination, streamlining systems, and ensuring excellence across the organization’s multi-country network.
Prior to joining AfriqueU, Janet served with distinction at USAID Kenya and East Africa, the Prosper Africa Executive Secretariat in Washington DC, and Power Africa in South Africa. Based in Nairobi, Janet is passionate about building institutions that connect local talent with global opportunity. She brings a steady hand and visionary mindset to AfriqueU’s mission of bridging Africa and America through basketball and education.
Kobby Addai
CIO & Acting Ghana Country Director
Kobby Addai is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Acting Country Director for Ghana at AfriqueU. He is also the Founder and CEO of Noldith, a technology consulting firm specializing in digital transformation for businesses.
In his dual role at AfriqueU, Kobby leads the organization’s technology strategy and oversees both global operations and country-specific activities in Ghana, including stakeholder engagement and institutional partnerships.
A former U.S. diplomat with over two decades of experience in enterprise IT, Kobby brings a unique blend of expertise in technology, international relations, public service, and strategic collaboration. His background enables him to drive impactful cross-border partnerships and socially driven innovation initiatives across the continent.
Kobby is deeply committed to youth empowerment and leadership development in Africa. Outside of work, he is an avid golfer and actively supports programs that use sports, mentorship, and technology to create opportunities for the next generation of African leaders.
Narék Sahakyan
Research Director; Madison, WI, USA - AfriqueU
Narék Sahakyan is a researcher working at the intersection of education, economics, and sports, bringing together over two decades of academic research and policy and data analysis to understand and maximize opportunity and human development. Dr. Sahakyan’s research has focused on economics, educational policy, equity for multilingual learners, and large-scale assessment, applying statistical models to inform policy, practice and school accountability. With a master’s degree in applied economics for his research on economic corruption in Armenia, and a doctorate in educational policy analysis and leadership for examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student outcomes, Narék is especially interested in how institutions can shape stronger pathways facilitating sustainable growth, equitable opportunities, and long-term success.
Beyond his academic and policy work, Narék is deeply interested in education, sports and games as a space for talent development, social mobility, and global connection. Education and sports are also a major part of how he thinks about leadership, talent, and development. Narék is especially passionate about soccer and FC Barcelona and still enjoys wearing the number 10 once a week in a recreational league in Madison.
Nilton Zandamela
Country Director, Mozambique – AfriqueU
Nilton Zandamela is an economic development professional with deep experience in policy, youth empowerment, and project design. He holds a degree in Economics and International Trade from Jilian University and a post-graduate certificate in Project Management from the Instituto Superior de Gestão.
He recently served as a Policy Analyst in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he supported strategic initiatives advancing inclusive growth. Before that, he worked with World Food Program Mozambique, designing programs that promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth and women.
Zandamela brings a lifelong passion for basketball to his role both as a fan and player. His leadership will help position Mozambique as a vital hub in AfriqueU’s cross-continental basketball and education platform.
Bienfait Kanan
Staff Engineer and Basketball Director, DRC
A Civil Engineering graduate of Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs (ULPGL), Bienfait has applied his engineering background beyond the field: he founded the NGO Build & Ball, which creates spaces for youth to play sports.
On the court, he came up through the PJB Basketball Academy in Goma, where he served as team captain and was named MVP of the 2021/22 season. In 2023, he won the DRC national basketball title with ASB Virunga and was selected to represent the DRC at the Road to BAL, competing against 16 of Africa’s top teams in Cameroon.
He brings this combination of engineering rigor and elite competitive leadership to his work with AfriqueU.
Stephen Berlinguette
Country Director, Morocco – AfriqueU
Stephen Berlinguette has over 20 years of experience bridging the private sector and government, directing major U.S. foreign assistance portfolios and building partnerships with corporates and higher education institutions across multiple emerging markets in Africa and Asia.
As General Development Office Director at USAID/Morocco, he led a $115 million portfolio in economic growth, education, and governance, working closely with Moroccan government leaders and civil society to advance inclusive development and facilitate private investment.
At AfriqueU, Stephen steers the company’s country strategy, anchoring our presence in Morocco and driving business development by integrating basketball, education, and entrepreneurship into a dynamic engine of opportunity for Morocco’s business community guided by the same spirit of teamwork, integrity, and social impact that placed Boston Celtic Bill Russell virtually alone atop the NBA pantheon.
Accepting EOIs
Country Director, Kenya – AfriqueU
Leading AfriqueU’s work in Kenya, the Country Director builds partnerships with clubs, academies, and universities, while driving athlete development and education pathways.
