Dr. David Wachira

Dr. David Wachira is a fintech entrepreneur, public finance specialist, mentor, and philanthropist. He is currently the co-founder and COO of fintech startup Wayapay. He is also a public-sector specialist at the World Bank and served as the co-Secretary for the World Bank Group's Youth to Youth. His experience adds value in efforts to address complex development challenges, and his passion is largely focused on the youth, where he is committed to helping create a world in which they can actively manifest their dreams and gifts into reality. 

Prior to joining the World Bank, he taught public policy at Southern Methodist University (SMU); served as a teaching fellow in public finance, bureaucracy, and public administration at the University of North Texas and as an assistant professor of history and economics at Wiley College. In 2014, he established the Wachira Endowment for Public Service to provide scholarships and grants to university graduate students and in 2017, he co-founded the Youth Engagement Society (YES) to empower the youth through connections with successful role models by providing resources and opportunities to network with leaders and young professionals from various settings and careers.  

Dr. Wachira holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Mary Hardin- Baylor, a master’s degree in History from Tarleton State University, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Management, with an emphasis in Public Finance and Public Management from the University of North Texas. His dissertation topic was on “The Interactive Effect of Fund Balance and Revenue Diversification on Local Government Fiscal Sustainability.” He also has several publications on transparency, e-government, organizational culture, fiscal sustainability, and spending efficiency.