Kanaan Ngutu

Experience

• 

  Ministry of Finance and Economic Development

  Dec 2014 - Apr 2015

  IT Assistant
• 

  Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development

  Apr 2015 - Nov 2016

  IT Specialist
• 

  Ministry of Information, Communication, Transport and Tourism Development

  Nov 2016 - Dec 2021

  Worked on the Kiribati Government e-Government and Cybersecurity initiatives and policies.

  • Senior ICT Officer

    Oct 2017 - Dec 2021

  • ICT Officer

    Nov 2016 - Oct 2017
• 

  ICANN

  Oct 2017 - Nov 2017

  ICANN Fellowship
• 

  Internet Society

  Dec 2017 - Dec 2017

  Internet Society Youth Fellowship

  Selected as a youth fellow from the Pacific to participate in the Internet Governance Forum.

• 

  FISRT Global

  Sept 2019 - Oct 2019

  FIRST Global Robotic Mentor

  Mentoring Team Kiribati in the 2019 FIRST Global Robotics Challenge.

• 

  ICANN

  Oct 2019 - Nov 2019

  ICANN Fellowship
• 

  Internet Society

  Nov 2019 - Dec 2019

  Internet Governance Forum Fellowship

  Selected as a fellow to participate in the Internet Governance Forum.

• 

  Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  Apr 2021 - Aug 2021

  Local Consultant
• 

  Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives

  Jan 2022 - Mar 2023

  National Consultant

  Formulation of Kiribati National E-commerce Strategy

• 

  U.S. Department of State

  Oct 2022 - Nov 2022

  Professional Fellow Program

  Selected to participate in the Professional Fellow Program for Oceania region, a two-way, global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, as well as build lasting, sustainable partnerships between mid-level emerging leaders from foreign countries and the United States.

• 

  International Telecommunication Union

  Apr 2023 - now

  ITU National Expert

  Design and develop the Smart Islands plan (including needs assessment, infrastructure assessment, linkage with national plan, partnerships, governance, work plan) for identified village(s) considering the digital connectivity, priority digital services, financing, digital safety, sustainability, digital inclusion, and capacity building.

• 

  Pacifik Wallet

  Apr 2023 - now

  Founder

  Founder and CEO of Pacifik Wallet, a Kiribat-based Fintech startup that offers a secure and user-friendly mobile wallet, ensuring swift and secure digital transactions, servicing a wide range of financial needs with a commitment to convenience and safety.

• 

  Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  Apr 2024 - now

  Director Board of Directors

  I am honored to have been nominated to the Board of Directors for the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where I also serve as the organization’s Treasurer. In this dual role, I am focused on strengthening Kiribati’s export industry by fostering innovation, expanding market opportunities, and building strategic partnerships. My aim is to contribute to the sustainable growth of our economy while ensuring financial oversight and long-term success for the Chamber.

• 

  Digital Kiribati

  Apr 2024 - now

  Executive Director

  In this role, I lead a team of six in implementing programs focused on climate change adaptation and resilience building, entrepreneurship and innovation, social inclusion, and STEM promotion. I oversee the development of grant proposals, manage the organization’s daily operations, and cultivate strategic partnerships with local, regional, and international stakeholders to drive our mission forward.

• 

  Business Link Pacific

  Jul 2024 - now

  Business Advisor

  In this role, I leverage my entrepreneurial expertise to assist local businesses in developing strategic plans that position them to successfully secure business grants through Business Link Pacific. Additionally, I offer advisory services on ICT and digital transformation, helping businesses integrate technology to enhance their operations and achieve sustainable growth.

• 

  United Nations ESCAP

  Aug 2024 - now

  Policy Consultant

  In this role, I collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives to develop the National Industrial Policy. I work closely with a leading expert from UNESCAP and engage with various local stakeholders. The policy aims to promote three key industries—Fisheries, Tourism, and Agriculture—to drive sustainable economic growth and development.

• 

  Softengi - Delivers Your Success

  Aug 2024 - Feb 2025

  Information Technology Consultant

  In this role, I work closely with a team of expert based in Western Europe to support the Government of Kiribati in developing the National Portal, a key initiative under the Kiribati Digital Government project, funded by the World Bank. This project aims to centralize all government services and citizen-centric information into a single, easily accessible platform, streamlining access to public services and enhancing digital connectivity for all citizens.

• 

  Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

  Sept 2024 - Oct 2024

  Rising Leaders Fellow