SHE MEANS BUSINESS| Engineers' Board of Kenya CEO Margaret Ogai on Singapore dream and Africa's economic freedom

With a career spanning over 30 years, Ogai reflects on her early move from the private sector to public service — a shift she made after just a few years. While the private sector offered speed and commercial agility, she found her calling in building systems, shaping policy, and strengthening institutions.

That passion has defined her tenure at the Engineers Board of Kenya, where one of her landmark achievements has been ensuring that all engineering courses offered in Kenya are properly reviewed and approved — a move that strengthened professional standards and safeguarded the integrity of the profession.

Ogai also speaks passionately about Africa’s development narrative. She challenges the persistent “third world” framing and calls for a shift toward self-sufficiency, institutional discipline, and long-term planning.

Referencing President William Ruto’s ambition to make Kenya the “Singapore of Africa,” she says the dream is possible — but only with deliberate investment in regulatory systems, quality education, urban planning, accountability, and industrial capacity.

On personal growth, Ogai reframes the work-life balance conversation as work-life integration — seasons shift, priorities evolve, and success looks different at different stages.

She offers particularly candid advice to women: financial independence is non-negotiable.

Watch the full episode of She Means Business.