Our team

Axcel’s team has significant sectoral expertise in workforce development, TVET and skills training, particularly in green skills; youth employment and empowerment especially for young women; health, education, and women’s economic empowerment, and other diverse thematic areas.

Axcel’s consultants have significant international development program expertise in supporting the design and implementation of large donor-funded programs in East Africa and Central Asia funded by Global Affairs Canada, Mastercard Foundation, FCDO, and KfW and have worked with or consulted on international development projects with larger implementing organizations including Colleges and Institutes Canada, Aga Khan Foundation, NIRAS Consulting and numerous agencies and higher education institutions, with most projects having a value of over 20 million CAD.

The Axcel team has a high degree of proven expertise in data collection, analysis and reporting, as well as considerable current experience with implementing programs in a range of sectors. We have a strong ability to link research, learning and reflection with practical, actionable programmatic suggestions, based on participatory methods, and to shape high-impact program reporting and communications.

Moritz Schmidt

Co-founder & Principal Consultant

Moritz is a senior professional with extensive experience fostering partnerships with government, private sector, and educational institutions worldwide. His specialization lies in designing, launching, and managing complex, multi-partner programs, largely in the workforce development and skilled training space, and leading and managing large teams. With nearly 15 years of experience in building and maintaining global partnerships—including eight years in a leadership role at Colleges and Institutes Canada—he brings a wealth of expertise in advancing high-quality, impactful collaborations focused on skills development and jobs. His work spans initiatives worldwide, with a strong emphasis on East Africa, and involves partnerships with government, academic institutions, and industry.

He has presented at or moderated conferences and panels in Canada, England, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia on themes related to applied research, educational partnerships, training in the blue economy, and workforce participation in mega projects.

Moritz has a Masters in Development Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and a Bachelors of International Relations from the University of Calgary.