SHEET DWG-00 / TITLE BLOCK
Nairobi, Kenya · Available Immediately

Jacton Opiyo

Senior IT & Digital Technology Strategy Leader

Enterprise architecture, data centre operations, and large-scale digital transformation — 30+ years designing and governing mission-critical systems across national and multi-country programmes in Africa and beyond.

MSc Computer Science — Univ. of Essex
BSc Electronics Engineering — Greenwich Univ.
30+
Years in IT & Digital Strategy
$88.5M
Largest Project Managed
27
African Countries Served
35%
Avg. Efficiency Gain Delivered
SHEET DWG-01 / SPECIFICATION
Executive Summary

Built for the systems that can't go down.

Over 30 years of hands-on expertise spanning enterprise systems architecture, group digital & technology strategy, IT infrastructure management, ERP/MRP II platforms, data centre operations, and large-scale digital transformation. A proven track record leading multi-year digital roadmaps, enterprise architecture blueprints, cybersecurity and data governance frameworks, Industry 4.0 / smart factory programmes, and AI & advanced analytics enablement — alongside IT operating model and talent strategy design.

Demonstrated ability to design, deploy, and govern mission-critical computing environments across multinational contexts — from national infrastructure projects to regional multi-country rollouts. Combines deep technical proficiency (MSc Computer Science, BSc Electronics Engineering) with strategic and operational leadership that consistently delivers measurable cost savings, ROI-backed transformation portfolios, uptime improvements, and systems reliability.

SHEET DWG-02 / SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Core Competencies

Sixteen components of one practice.

Group Digital & Technology Strategy
Enterprise Architecture (TOGAF-aligned)
Digital Transformation Portfolio & ROI
Cybersecurity & Data Governance
Industry 4.0 / Smart Factory Programmes
AI & Advanced Analytics Enablement
IT Operating Model & Talent Strategy
ERP / MRP II Implementation
IT Infrastructure Management
Data Centre Design & Operations
Cloud & Hybrid Infrastructure
IT Governance & Compliance
IT Budget & Cost Management
Vendor & SLA Management
Business Continuity & DR Planning
IoT & Sensor Systems
SHEET DWG-03 / PROJECT LOG
Selected Achievements

Measured outcomes, not just mandates.

01

Group Digital & Technology 3-Year Roadmap

Authored and led a Board-endorsed Group Digital & Technology Strategy and 3-year roadmap, anchored by an enterprise architecture blueprint and an ROI-tracked transformation portfolio.

02

USD 88.5M National IT Infrastructure Project

Managed design and deployment of data centres and converged infrastructure for mission-critical national systems, ensuring 99%+ uptime, redundancy, and operational reliability (Saphran & Morpho).

03

27-Country Regional IT Rollout

Directed multi-country ODeL technology infrastructure deployments across 27 African nations, coordinating logistics, systems integration, and vendor management (African Virtual University).

04

35% Operational Efficiency Improvement

Led enterprise-wide IT and systems transformation engagements delivering 25–35% efficiency gains through ERP optimisation, automation, and infrastructure consolidation.

05

30% Cost Reduction Through Cloud Modernisation

Architected and led cloud and infrastructure modernisation initiatives that reduced operational IT costs by 30% while improving system uptime and resilience.

06

20% Inventory Carrying Cost Reduction

Delivered ERP-driven inventory optimisation at Progress Software, reducing carrying costs by 20% through improved systems integration and data analytics.

SHEET DWG-04 / REVISION HISTORY
Professional Experience

Eight roles, one continuous system.

Principal Consultant — Computer Systems & Digital Transformation
JUL 2020 — PRESENT
Essmart Innovative Solutions
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Led a Group-level digital and technology strategy and multi-year roadmap across six workstreams: enterprise architecture, cybersecurity & data governance, transformation portfolio, Industry 4.0, AI & advanced analytics, and IT operating model & talent strategy.
  • Delivered end-to-end IT and enterprise systems transformation for industrial, manufacturing, and service clients — 25–35% efficiency improvement.
  • Led cloud modernisation, migrating legacy on-premise systems to hybrid cloud — 30% cost reduction with improved uptime.
  • Managed full lifecycle ERP/MRP II implementations (MAPICS, Sage, SunSystems) and multi-vendor SLA compliance.
CEO / Managing Director — Computer Systems & IoT Infrastructure
JUL 2020 — PRESENT
IoT Academy Kenya
Siaya, Kenya
  • Established and scaled a technology institution supporting digital infrastructure, research computing labs, and technical training facilities.
  • Designed and deployed IoT-enabled asset monitoring and sensor systems for industrial, agricultural, and environmental use.
  • Oversaw institutional IT governance, procurement, budgets, and infrastructure operations.
HMIS Specialist — Senior Health Information Systems Manager
JAN 2017 — DEC 2020
University of Maryland
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Managed mission-critical HMIS operating under strict regulatory, compliance, and data protection requirements.
  • Implemented data governance frameworks, role-based access controls, and 24/7 operational continuity protocols.
  • Led systems upgrade and migration projects while maintaining full operational continuity for clinical and administrative users.
Senior ICT Specialist — Regional Systems & Infrastructure Manager
JAN 2014 — DEC 2017
African Virtual University
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Directed regional ODeL IT infrastructure rollouts across 27 African countries.
  • Oversaw multi-country IT budgets and timelines with government ministries and institutional partners.
  • Delivered technical capacity-building programmes, standardising systems operations and governance.
Project Manager — National IT Infrastructure & Data Centre Operations
JAN 2012 — DEC 2013
Saphran & Morpho
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Managed a USD 88.5M mission-critical national IT infrastructure project — one of the largest technology deployments in Kenya at the time.
  • Designed and deployed enterprise data centres and converged computing infrastructure for maximum uptime and fault tolerance.
  • Reduced incident resolution time by 30% through new operational IT protocols and change management procedures.
Information & Knowledge Management Specialist — Enterprise Systems
JAN 2004 — DEC 2009
Nile Basin Initiative
Entebbe, Uganda
  • Led ERP-enabled information and knowledge management systems across 10 riparian states.
  • Coordinated IT operations, reporting systems, and compliance frameworks across a complex multi-country institutional environment.
Business Intelligence & Operations Systems Consultant
JAN 1998 — DEC 2001
Progress Software Corporation
Atlanta, USA
  • Supported manufacturing and supply-chain operations through ERP implementation, BI dashboards, and performance analytics.
  • Reduced inventory carrying costs by 20% through integrated ERP and BI tooling.
Senior Consultant — ERP & Systems Implementation
JAN 1989 — DEC 1995
Coopers & Lybrand
Nairobi, Kenya
  • Led ERP and MRP II implementations for major industrial firms including Eveready Batteries, Unga Ltd, and Firestone East Africa.
  • Managed project budgets exceeding USD 2M with measurable business performance improvements — 25% productivity gains.
SHEET DWG-05 / CREDENTIALS & TOOLKIT
Foundations

Trained to build it, licensed to govern it.

Education

MSc Computer Science
University of Essex, United Kingdom
BSc Electronics Engineering
Greenwich University, United Kingdom

Technical Toolkit

MAPICS ERP SunSystems Sage ERP MRP II Systems DHIS2 / HMIS REDCap Python JavaScript Web Systems Microsoft Azure AWS Google Cloud IoT Platforms Data Centre Ops BI & Analytics Enterprise Architecture Tooling Cybersecurity Frameworks AI/Analytics Platforms