Walter H. Kansteiner, III
A founding Principal of The Scowcroft Group, Walter Kansteiner has more than twenty years experience with African and emerging market business issues.  Mr. Kansteiner has advised corporations on a wide range of mergers, acquisitions, and privatizations throughout Africa.  Transactions that he has been involved with include telecommunications, forestry, mining, financial services, healthcare, and aviation services.  Mr. Kansteiner advised the buy side on the privatization of Telkom South Africa, to date the largest privatization in Africa.  

 

Mr. Kansteiner rejoined the firm after serving three years as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.  In this capacity, he was responsible for U.S. foreign policy in Africa.  He was also the President’s personal representative to the G8 Africa Process.  Before he was affiliated with The Scowcroft Group, Mr. Kansteiner was Executive Vice President of a commodity trading and processing company, that specialized in tropical commodities (coffee, cocoa and sugar).  In addition to his business experience in emerging markets, Mr. Kansteiner served in the U.S. government as the Director of African Affairs on the National Security Council staff.  He also served as the Africa specialist on the Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff, and with the Department of Defense as a member of the strategic minerals task force.  He holds graduate degrees in international economics and ethics from American University and Virginia Theological Seminary, respectively.  He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, chairs the Africa Policy Advisory Panel (a congressionally mandated advisory group) and serves on various boards in the U.S. and Africa.