Hannah Wanjie Ryder is the CEO of Development Reimagined, an award-winning international development consultancy with headquarters in China, and offices in Kenya and the UK, advising in particular: Chinese businesses how to invest in Africa sustainably; sustainable African businesses how to enter the Chinese market; and working with governments, UN bodies and NGOs to strengthen their China–Africa policies.

A former diplomat and economist with 20 years of experience including on projects in China, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Indonesia and Korea, and named one of 100 most influential Africans in 2021, she is also Senior Associate for the Africa Program of the Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS), sits on the Board of the Environmental Defence Fund (EDF), and is a member of UAE’s International Advisory Council on the New Economy.

Hannah’s practical action is driven by her mission to end poverty – particularly in Africa – through development and foreign policy – reimagining global relationships, including with China which is the continent’s largest bilateral trade partner, with a view to centering the agency of recipients.

Prior to her role at DR, Ms Ryder led the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s work with China to help it scale up and improve its cooperation with other developing countries, including in Africa. She has also played various advisory roles for the UN and OECD and co-authored the seminal Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change in 2006. A sought-after thought-leader, commentator and speaker, egularly cited in and invited to write/talk on global media outlets such as Bloomberg, Project Syndicate, Quartz Africa, the Diplomat, the Guardian, CGTN, TRT, and more, Ms Ryder drives the overall company strategy for the China, Kenya and UK offices, working with our clients, partners and experts around the world to provide strategic advice and practical research and support. She is fluent in English, proficient in elementary Chinese, French and Swahili.