Job Title: CTO
Company: Naivas
Francis Ngari is the chief technology officer at Naivas.
He leads the organisation’s technology strategy and operations, overseeing ICT services, infrastructure, enterprise systems, data and digital innovation to support business growth and operational efficiency.
Francis has been responsible for positioning technology as a business enabler and growth accelerator at Naivas, ensuring value from ICT investments while driving automation, data utilisation and service performance across the organisation.
Prior to this role, Francis served as an ICT consultant at Naivas, where he focused on strengthening ICT operations, improving accountability, increasing automation and enhancing system uptime and user satisfaction.
Earlier, Francis worked as a general manager consultant at Lucent Insurance, where he led operational improvements that increased revenue and renewal rates while streamlining processes and implementing reporting systems using Microsoft Dynamics and Power BI.
He previously spent over a decade at Resolution Insurance Kenya, where he held several leadership roles. As head of digital transformation, he led the development of enterprise architecture and digital strategy, focusing on improving customer experience, efficiency and business performance. He also served as group head of ICT, where he led ICT strategy, operations, risk management and governance across the organisation. Earlier roles included assistant ICT manager, acting head of IT and infrastructure, and business analyst, where he was involved in systems implementation, process analysis, reporting and project management.
Francis began his career at Finlays as a senior IT programmer and database administrator. He worked on systems development, database administration and user support. He also worked at Swift Global as a support technician, providing server configuration, backup management and technical support services.
Work Experience
2023–Present: chief technology officer, Naivas
2022–2023: ICT consultant, Naivas
2021–2022: general manager consultant, Lucent Insurance
2018–2022: head of digital transformation, Resolution Insurance Kenya
2016–2018: group head of ICT, Resolution Insurance Kenya
2014–2016: assistant ICT manager, Resolution Insurance Kenya
2014–2015: acting head of IT and infrastructure, Resolution Insurance Kenya
2010–2014: business analyst, Resolution Insurance Kenya
2007–2010: senior IT programmer and database administrator, Finlays
2006–2007: support technician, Swift Global
Education
Master of business administration, strategic management, USIU – Africa
Bachelor of business information technology, Strathmore University
Senior management leadership programme, Strathmore University
Expanding business horizons and managing diversity, Nanyang Technological University Singapore
About Company
Naivas is a Kenyan retail chain operating supermarkets across the country, providing consumer goods, household products and fresh produce. The company has grown into one of the largest retail brands in Kenya, supported by expanding store networks and investments in digital and operational systems.
