Franz Okey

September 2020, Franz joined Speak Up Africa as an advocacy officer on the  »Zero Malaria Business Leadership Initiative ». Then a year later, in 2021, he became National Coordinator in Benin, with the main mission of engaging government representatives, political decision-makers at national and sub-national level, civil society players, the private sector and the media on issues relating to malaria, neglected tropical diseases and health research and development, not forgetting gender equality.

Franz holds a Master’s degree in International Project Management from the Université Senghor Alexandrie – Cotonou campus, and has over ten years’ practical experience in the design, steering and evaluation of development projects and grant management.

He has worked in non-governmental organizations, companies and even international organizations such as UNDP Benin, RITIS GROUP, WANEP Benin, and has developed an enriching experience in community mobilization, promotion of children’s and women’s rights, monitoring and analysis of public policies, advocacy, mobilization of resources and investments, coordination of partnerships, political commitment, not forgetting monitoring of governance and elections. He has a good knowledge of the procedures of several donors.

Franz received the Best Civic Engagement Award at the Benin Yali Alumni Association (BYAA) Awards in 2020 for his outstanding leadership as a Certified Civic Leadership Alumni of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) program, and for implementing high-impact community projects with direct funding from the U.S. State Government