Built from the Ground Up.
Designed for the Long Game.
A pan-African firm building the institutional infrastructure for community-led economic development in fragile contexts.
Rooted in Africa.
Designed for Scale.
DETCRO was founded on a conviction: that the most durable path to peace in fragile contexts runs through economic function. Not aid. Not charity. But systems — production systems, trade systems, governance systems — that create shared stakes in stability.
We are a pan-African firm, led by Africans, operating at the intersection of institutional advisory, community production, and structured trade. Our work spans South Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and the wider East and Southern African region.
We are not an NGO. We are not a consulting firm in the conventional sense. We are a systems builder — designing the institutional infrastructure that makes communities investable and markets functional.
18,000+
Survey respondents
across 10 states
7
UNDP evaluations
shaping stabilization programming
5+
Commodity chains
under active trade facilitation
4
Countries of operation
South Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, US
What We Stand For
Community First
Every system we design begins with and is accountable to the communities it serves. Legitimacy is not assumed — it is built.
Evidence Over Assumption
We invest in rigorous research and adaptive learning because decisions made on weak evidence produce fragile outcomes.
Systems Thinking
We address root causes, not symptoms. Our interventions are designed to create self-reinforcing cycles of production, trade, and stability.
Institutional Integrity
We operate with the discipline and accountability of the institutions we serve — no shortcuts, no compromises on quality.
Our Team
David DENG
Founder & Executive Director
A human rights lawyer with a Juris Doctor from NYU School of Law, David has been at the forefront of research, advocacy, and coalion-building in South Sudan since 2008. His work addresses cizen perspecves on peace processes, transional jusce, and local security. Serving as Managing Director of Detcro since 2018, David, David’s leadership and experse drive the organization’s strategic direction.
Daniel DENG
Director, Advisory Services
A seasoned development professional with 25+ years of experience across 12 African countries. Daniel led two major USAID projects in South Sudan—first as Chief of Party for the Monitoring and Evaluation Support Project (MESP) and then as Country Lead for the Policy LINK Project. He brings deep expertise in community and institutional resilience, collaborang closely with UN agencies, donors, government institutions, and international corporations.
Jeffrey
Director, MEL-AM
In his capacity, Campbell is responsible for MEL framework design and oversight, reporting and sensemaking, activity team coordination, adaptive management and accountability, STRIVE O.S. workflow alignment, training and facilitation, and community co-creation and sensemaking
Electrin
Head of Finance and Administration
Electrin Maswari is a senior finance executive with over 13 years of experience in financial leadership, strategic planning, governance, and operational management. As Head of Finance & Administration at Detcro, she provides executive oversight of financial strategy, budgeting, cash flow management, compliance, risk management, and internal controls, ensuring strong governance and sustainable growth. She partners with leadership to drive data-informed decision-making, strengthen financial systems, and align operations with long-term organizational objectives. Her oversight also extends to administrative and human resource functions, promoting efficiency, accountability, and institutional resilience. Electrin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Finance.
Dr. Tekele
Research Director
Mixed-methods researcher and survey specialist. Led DETCRO's 18,000-respondent national perceptions study across South Sudan.
Where We Work
Juba
Principal operating base. Field research, community engagement, and program implementation.
Nairobi
Regional hub for East Africa corridor work and institutional partnerships.
Harare
Southern Africa advisory and agricultural systems programming.
Washington D.C.
Donor engagement, institutional liaison, and investment facilitation.
"From the heart of Africa, we build systems of peace through trade."
Work With DETCRO