Board 

Małgorzata Anna Szymczuk

Founder and CEO

Started her career in international oil&gas industry as a specialist at the Research and Exploration Department of Polish Oil and Gas Company (PGNiG SA) and later with Shell Poland.

Since 2008 her professional life has been developing in Africa, where she first worked as an expert on UN with the embassy of Poland in Nairobi. Between 2009 and 2013 she was the consul of Poland in Luanda. In 2013 she was appointed as acting chargée d’affaires of Poland in Luanda. The embassy she was in charge of represented the Polish interests in 6 countries of Central Africa with total area of ca. 4,7 m km² and population of over 143 m.

Throughout her diplomatic career she considered a priority the promotion of economic and commercial cooperation between Poland and countries of Central Africa. She co-organized multiple Polish business missions to Angola and other countries of the region and supported Polish companies in their endeavours to enter African markets. 

She decided to end the diplomatic career to pursue new challenges in business. Using the vast experience acquired in Africa and a broad network of contacts, she developed the business model Quenda Group is based on. 

Jacek Wasilewski

COO

Has been professionally involved with Angola since 2004. He worked in the country as a university lecturer and a manager. He wrote several articles and books about Angola, Portuguese speaking countries and Southern Africa.

Since 2008 he has been working on international construction projects in Africa. While working for Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs he supervised the implementation of projects under polish development cooperation programme in Kenya and Rwanda and afterwards in Angola and the Republic of Congo.

Having concluded diplomatic career as a deputy head of mission at the Polish embassy in Luanda in 2012, he took part in the management of the construction and equipment of the Namibe Fishery and Marine Science Academy in Angola, considered to be the biggest Polish project in Africa. 

In 2017 he started a new chapter in his professional career by joining Quenda. 

Quenda Group consists of Polish companies specialised in development and implementation of infrastructural projects in Sub-Saharan Africa with particular focus on Angola:

• Quenda Business Initiative sp. z o.o. offers execution of public facilities for education, higher education, healthcare and sport centres as well as infrastructure for maritime and land transport.
• Quenda sp. z o.o. operates in the sector of defence and security offering complex solutions such as construction of command centres, housing complexes, repair and maintenance infrastructure, deliveries of specialised equipment and technologies as well as technical advisory and assistance.

Quenda Group’s activity consists of implementation of turn-key projects including:

• elaboration of preliminary concepts;
• development of complete implementation documentation;
• execution of construction and assembly works as general contractor;
• deliveries of materials and equipment;
• start-up and management of completed facilities;
• training and consultancy services related to the maintenance.

According to requirements of our clients we assist in sourcing financing for implementation of our projects. 

We cooperate with leading civil construction companies from Poland and Angola and with international suppliers of latest technologies and equipment, which participate in our projects as technical partners, subcontractors and suppliers.

We are competitive because of our permanent presence in Africa and of deep understanding of local specificity resulting from many years of professional experience of members of our team. This advantage allows us to better respond to our clients’ requirements, to ensure efficient implementation of our projects and to minimise risks.

Quenda Group is driven by passion for Africa and strong conviction about the Continent’s enormous economic and social potential. 

Growth of Quenda serves as proof that ethical business based on solid values and respect for partners is possible in any part of the world.