The Youth Café is pleased to welcome Ambassador Lemarron Kaanto as a new member of the Advisory Board of Directors.
Ambassador Lemarron Kaanto is a seasoned diplomat, sustainability expert, and corporate affairs leader with over 20 years of experience spanning the public sector, international development, private industry, and non-profit organisations. Throughout his career, he has built extensive expertise in diplomacy, corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development, governance, and international cooperation.
Having served for nearly a decade as Kenya’s Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission, Ambassador Kaanto has played a pivotal role in advancing Kenya’s bilateral and multilateral relations. Most recently, he served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil, with accreditation to Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay, where he strengthened diplomatic, trade, and investment ties between Kenya and Latin America. In recognition of his contribution to deepening Kenya-Brazil relations, he was awarded the Commendation of the Anhanguera Order of Merit in 2024.
Before his diplomatic service, Ambassador Kaanto spent more than 12 years at Tata Chemicals Magadi, where he served as Corporate Affairs and Social Responsibility Manager. He led the development and implementation of the company’s corporate social responsibility framework and managed communications, public relations, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability initiatives. His work positioned the company as a leader in responsible business practices and community engagement within the extractives sector.
Ambassador Kaanto has also served as an Extractives Expert with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he established an extractives coordination centre supported by UNDP, DFID, and the African Development Bank. He has contributed significantly to the promotion of sustainability standards across Africa and globally, including serving as a Stakeholder Council Member of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and supporting the adoption of ISO 26000 on Social Responsibility throughout the East African region.
Academically, he holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, an Executive MBA in Leadership and International Business Development from Copenhagen Business School, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology from the University of Nairobi. He has further specialised in food security, human rights, gender, environmental impact assessment, and sustainability, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Transformation at North-West University, South Africa.
A respected thought leader in sustainability, governance, and social impact, Ambassador Kaanto continues to champion responsible leadership, community development, environmental stewardship, and strategic partnerships that create lasting social and economic value. He serves in various leadership roles, including as Patron of Childline Kenya, Chairman of the UK-based charity Together with Kenya, and Director of Ramat Conservancies Community-Based Organisation. His commitment to inclusive development and sustainable transformation continues to influence policy, business, and civil society across Africa and beyond.