NAIROBI, Kenya — United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa) has ushered in a new chapter of leadership with the official installation of Ambassador Dennis Awori as Chancellor during a formal ceremony held at the university on Friday.
Ambassador Awori, whose appointment took effect on April 10, 2025, brings to the role over four decades of distinguished service across diplomacy, business, and education sectors.
His installation marks a pivotal moment for USIU-Africa as it deepens its commitment to academic excellence and strategic growth.
In his acceptance, Awori pledged to champion innovation, institutional development, and regional integration in higher education.
“I am deeply honored and profoundly humbled by the trust that you have placed in me to be the chancellor of this great institution, a truly Pan-African one that draws its strength from the diversity, talent, and ambition of students from across the continent,” he said.
USIU-Africa Chancellor, Amb. Dennis Awori#USIUInstallation #ExperienceUSIU
A seasoned diplomat and corporate leader, Awori currently chairs CFAO Mobility Kenya Limited and CFAO Kenya Limited, and serves as the Executive Director at CFAO SAS in Paris, a Toyota Tsusho Corporation subsidiary.
Between 2004 and 2009, he served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Japan, where he spearheaded the establishment of the Kenyan Embassy in South Korea.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Manchester, along with executive development programmes at Ashridge Business School (UK) and Emory Business College (USA).
Awori’s influence extends into Kenya’s technical and vocational education landscape.
He chaired the Governing Council of the Kenya Technical Trainers College (KTTC), playing a critical role in its transformation into the Kenya School of Technical, Industrial, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TVET).
He is also credited with the founding of key training institutions, including the Toyota Kenya Foundation, Toyota Kenya Academy, and the David Wambuli Technical Training College — all of which have supported youth empowerment and skills development in Kenya.
The university community welcomed his installation as a vote of confidence in its mission to produce globally competent graduates equipped to tackle African and global challenges.
Ambassador Awori succeeds former Chancellor Manu Chandaria, under whose tenure USIU-Africa expanded its academic programs, infrastructure, and regional partnerships.
