Kagisho Koza
Strategy Consultant at The Bridgespan Group
Economics at University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa
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Strategy Consultant at The Bridgespan Group
Kagisho is a Strategy Consultant at Bridgespan, a global consulting firm that specializes in social impact and development. Kagisho's expertise lies in designing and implementing programs that address complex developmental challenges in emerging markets. He has extensive experience in conducting market research, stakeholder engagement, and strategy development and implementation, and has worked on projects across various sectors, including climate change, education, and agriculture. He is passionate about using his skills to create positive social change and is committed to making a meaningful contribution to the global development agenda.
Experience
The Bridgespan Group
Strategy Consultant
January 2024 - Present
As a Consultant at the Bridgespan Group, I work with leading nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, and mission-driven companies to drive social impact. My role involves conducting in-depth research and analysis to inform strategic decision-making, developing data-driven recommendations, and supporting clients in implementing solutions to address critical societal challenges. I lead key project workstreams, manage client relationships, and collaborate with senior leadership to deliver high-quality outcomes.
I contribute to various sectors, including climate change, education and global development, helping organizations build capacity and scale their impact. A core part of my role is synthesizing complex information into actionable insights, facilitating workshops with stakeholders, and ensuring the success of the project team. Additionally, I mentor junior team members and contribute to thought leadership initiatives within the firm.
Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP)
Program Associate
May 2022 - February 2023
As Program Associate for the Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP), Kagisho supported the strategic execution and day-to-day management of the CSFEP, enabling effective coordination across the program's multiple strategic partners, and supported the development and implementation of the program's flagship social and environmental safeguards toolkit alongside its strategic partners.
Dalberg
Senior Consultant
October 2019 - December 2023
I started my journey at Dalberg as an intern and was rapidly promoted to Senior Consultant in less than four years. During this time at Dalberg, I led complex, high-impact projects across various sectors, with a strong focus on social impact. I collaborated with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government bodies, corporate leaders, NGOs, and multilateral organizations, to design and implement strategies that drove inclusive growth and sustainable development. My work spanned from developing actionable insights to crafting tailored solutions for addressing global challenges such as climate change, education and agriculture.
At Dalberg, I took on leadership roles within project teams, ensuring high-quality deliverables and client satisfaction. I also mentored junior consultants and contributed to business development by identifying opportunities for impactful engagements. My experience included conducting in-depth research, data analysis, stakeholder management, and policy advisory, all aimed at driving systems-level change that improved outcomes for marginalized communities.
Projects included:
Assessing the investment potential and establishing the strategic direction for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) unit of a large Japanese trading, investment and service enterprise in the areas of clean energy, climate technology, agriculture and industrial materials across the MEA unit's priority countries in Africa
Developing a 5-year strategy for the IKEA Foundation to refocus its Employment & Entrepreneurship (E&E) portfolio on supporting the growth of green entrepreneurs across East Africa and South Asia
In partnership with a global development organization, developed a Circular Economy (CE) market assessment report for green growth in Africa and an implementation roadmap for CE solutions across the region
Education
Economics
University of the Witwatersrand
Graduated in 2016
Certificates & Badges
No certificates or badges added
Projects
Climate Smart Forest Economy Program (CSFEP)
•https://www.csfep.org/post/safeguards-practical-tools-for-maximizing-the-benefits-of-climate-smart-forest-economiesProgram Associate
As a key contributor to the article, I addressed the projected doubling of the global built environment by 2050, equating to building a Paris-sized urban area every week for 40 years. This growth threatens to deplete natural resources and increase the use of carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel, worsening climate change.
I explored bio-based materials and Climate Smart Forest Economy (CSFE) interventions as sustainable alternatives to reduce emissions. By using forest products in construction, projects worldwide have demonstrated climate-positive impacts. However, scaling timber-based solutions requires careful monitoring of environmental, social, and economic effects.
I emphasized the importance of safeguards—continuous assessments of CSFE interventions to minimize risks and ensure positive outcomes. Tools like the CSFEP Safeguards Assessment Toolkit help monitor projects such as Easy Housing in Uganda and CASSA in Guatemala, which use sustainable materials like timber and bamboo to address housing needs while protecting the environment.
My contribution focused on the need for sustainable construction solutions that not only reduce emissions but also protect ecosystems and benefit local communities.
Five Big Bets for the Circular Economy in Africa: African Circular Economy Alliance
•https://www.weforum.org/publications/five-big-bets-for-the-circular-economy-in-africa-african-circular-economy-alliance/Contributor
As a contributor to the report, I highlighted the alarming growth in global urban development, with current trends indicating that the built environment will double by 2050—equivalent to constructing an urban area the size of Paris every week for the next 40 years. This scale of expansion poses a significant threat to our natural resources, with the heavy use of carbon-intensive materials such as concrete and steel likely to hinder efforts to combat climate change.
However, the report also underscores the potential for a positive shift. By sustainably harvesting forest products as alternatives to emissions-intensive materials, we’ve demonstrated how building projects around the world can reduce their environmental footprint. These sustainable materials offer a promising solution to create a climate-positive impact, helping to meet construction demands while supporting global climate goals.
Languages
English
Native
Tswana
Native
Skills
Data Analysis
Excel
Powerpoint
Consulting
Market Analysis
Strategic Management
Stakeholder Relationship Management