Spotlighting the people shaping Dev-Afrique’s work across Africa
In this edition of Profiles in Practice, we feature Oluwadamilare Olatunji, Associate Consultant at Dev-Afrique. From his early interest in governance to his hands-on contributions in research and project delivery, Damilare shares how his journey reflects both his personal growth and the collaborative spirit of the DA team in delivering impact across Africa.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Oluwadamilare Olatunji, but most people call me Damilare. I joined Dev-Afrique eight months ago, and my work has been a blend of research, project support, and contributing to different initiatives across the organization.
I hold a BSc in Child Development and Family Studies from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, and I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Port Harcourt. Over the years, I’ve worked on interventions in public health, gender equality, governance, and broader development. I consider myself an international development professional passionate about shaping a more livable sub-Saharan African society.
What drew you to development advisory work?
My interest goes back to childhood. Growing up, my mom always dreamed of starting a foundation to support vulnerable people. Her passion for giving back inspired me, and that spark has guided my own journey. For me, development advisory is the space where ideas and evidence can be transformed into real impact.
Why Dev-Afrique, and how has the experience shaped you?
Before joining Dev-Afrique, I was already working in international development but wanted a new challenge — the opportunity to meet new people, learn from diverse perspectives, and contribute to impactful work. Dev-Afrique’s mission of solving Africa’s toughest challenges through innovative solutions aligns with my career interests in international development and public health.
Another factor was the global nature of the team. Collaborating with colleagues across Africa, Europe, and beyond through the DevPartners ecosystem has broadened my network and perspectives. The experience has been both interesting and challenging, pushing me to unlearn and relearn, especially in research methods, stakeholder engagement, and project management.
Tell us about a project that left a mark on you.
That would be the Umbrella Fund for Geospatial Interventions program, which provides catalytic funding for the application of geospatial data to strengthen public health service delivery in LMICs starting in Nigeria and the DRC. My previous projects were focused solely on implementation, but Umbrella Fund introduced me to the funder’s perspective — managing partners, ensuring accountability, and maximizing impact. That shift in perspective was eye-opening.
What skills have you sharpened since joining the team?
One of the biggest areas of growth has been public speaking and facilitation. It was once a personal challenge, but Dev-Afrique has given me opportunities to build confidence — whether leading meetings, engaging clients, or presenting work.
I have also deepened my research and analysis skills by working alongside technically experienced colleagues in our Monitoring & Evaluation team who have expanded my knowledge of methodologies and reporting. Beyond that, I have become more systematic and precise in my work, sharpening my critical thinking and attention to detail.
Is there a part of your role people might not realize is essential?
Yes, I would say presentation development. I often contribute to creating clear and visually engaging presentations, which are crucial for communicating our strategies and solutions effectively with the key stakeholders. It is behind-the-scenes work but absolutely central to development consulting.
What sets Dev-Afrique apart in its approach to development advisory?
Two things stand out. First is the organization’s commitment to impact. Unlike many firms, Dev-Afrique has an internal Monitoring & Evaluation system to evaluate its own projects. That shows we are not only concerned with outputs, but with measurable, people-centered impact.
Second is the collaborative nature of the team. We bring together expertise from colleagues across Africa and beyond, leveraging diverse strengths to solve Africa’s toughest challenges. That diversity is a real differentiator.
Describe the team spirit in one word.
Positive. Everyone I’ve worked with is supportive and willing to help. I haven’t experienced negativity within the team, and that makes the team spirit strong.
What’s something your teammates might not know about you?
It would be that I’m actually very fun and opinionated. In the office I might come across as quiet or introverted, but with close friends and family, I’m lively and love starting engaging conversations.
Can you share a moment during your time at Dev-Afrique that reaffirmed your passion for this work?
My conversations with Ridwan Sorunke, our Executive Principal, stand out. He emphasizes the importance of impact and doing good work, which resonates deeply with me. Those moments reaffirm that I’m in the right space.
What makes you proud to be part of Dev-Afrique?
I am proud to be part of a global team of passionate and intelligent individuals committed to solving Africa’s toughest development challenges and making the continent a more livable society for everyone.
Damilare’s journey captures the heart of Dev-Afrique’s work: curiosity turned into expertise, and expertise turned into meaningful contributions. His story is a reminder that development is driven by people who are willing to learn, adapt, and lead with purpose.
