Nivi Sharma

Nivi is an expert in innovation, impact, and scale-up strategies in ascending markets. She is the CEO of Bridges to Prosperity, the global leader in rural infrastructure development, where she is executing a systems change strategy unlocking rural infrastructure as a lever for poverty eradication in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia. The strategy leverages evidence, advocacy, and technical assistance in working with the public and private sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa to increase safe access for rural communities. Previously, she was the COO at BRCK, a tech startup that provided free public Wi-Fi and innovated the award-winning Kio Kit for education. In 2011, she co-founded eLimu, the first company to digitize the Kenyan Primary School curriculum content for revision and literacy, which was acquired by the iHub in 2020. Nivi is driven by access and impact. She serves on the boards of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and The Open Institute. Nivi is an Acumen fellow and a Fast Forward Leaders’ Circle member. She lives in her hometown, Nairobi with her husband, their children, and dogs. They enjoy cooking and camping together.

Safe access

The right infrastructure in the right place is a surprisingly effective tool for development and climate resilience

Quilling