Senior Advisor
Senior Academic & Lead Consultant
Economics, Urban Studies & Transportation Planning Expert | AICP Certified
Professor Francis Wambalaba is a distinguished academic and consultant with over 30 years of interdisciplinary experience in economics, urban studies, transportation planning, and sustainable development. He specialises in economic development strategies across rural and urban contexts, with expertise in public-private partnerships (PPPs), climate-smart initiatives, agribusiness, cybersecurity, and transportation demand management (TDM).
Formerly the Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs – Research at USIU Kenya (2007–2017), he has managed multimillion-dollar projects, authored peer-reviewed publications, and contributed to policy development in transport, environment, and infrastructure sectors across Kenya, the USA, and East Africa.
2024 · Govt of Kenya
Lead Researcher across 45 Kenyan counties reviewing climate action.
2023/24 · Govt of Kenya
Co-Lead for the 2024–2028 Strategic Framework development.
2023/24 · KeRRA
Lead Consultant for Strategic Plan development.
2022–2024 · Yara Int.
PI for Pilot Countries MEL program.
2021–2024 · CFYE
PI for placement and retention initiatives.
2017–2021 · NWO
Kenyan PI for inclusive dairy value chains.
USIU Africa (2005–Present)
Teaching, supervising graduate research, and leading consultancies in economics and development.
USIU Africa (2007–2017)
Developed research agenda, managed accreditation, and coordinated new degree programmes.
CUTR, University of South Florida (2001–2004)
Managed Florida TDM Certificate Programme and national TDM Clearinghouse.
Tri-Met, Portland, Oregon (1990–2001)
Coordinated TMAs, transit services, and public participation across 24 jurisdictions.
Portland State University, USA (1993)
Portland State University, USA (1989)
Portland State University, USA (1985)
Portland State University, USA (1983)