Nwando Okonkwo Ajene is a distinguished Nigerian corporate executive, marketing strategist, and public sector advisor with over 25 years of global experience driving brand growth, strategic communications, and national economic initiatives.
Celebrated for her deep expertise in consumer insights and market dynamics across Africa, she has built an illustrious career spanning the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, financial services, and high-level government advisory.
In the public sector, she serves as a Senior Advisor to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in Nigeria. In this critical capacity, she helps shape national policies and initiatives designed to enhance private sector competitiveness, expand market access, and foster inclusive economic growth across the country.
Alongside her government advisory work, she is the founder and Principal Lead of Roots2Market, a specialized consulting firm that empowers brands with data-driven market entry strategies and consumer engagement models designed for the African landscape.
Before transitioning into consulting and policy advisory, she amassed a stellar corporate track record. She famously served as the Marketing Services Manager & Category Marketing Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, where she championed major brand transformations, experiential marketing campaigns, and digital media strategies.
Her leadership also extends to the financial sector, having served as the Head of Corporate Communications for the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), following formative early-career roles in corporate banking and financial institutions within the United States, including ABN AMRO and Northern Trust Bank.