In this installment of Executive Insights, we speak with Jote Wakjira, co-founder and CEO of Equinox Outsourced Services, a multinational management services firm founded across Nairobi, Kenya, Cape Town, South Africa and Abuja, Nigeria. Seven years after launching, the company now operates in ten global cities—and selected Washington, DC as the home of its U.S. expansion and new global headquarters.
A Company Born in Three Cities—and Built for Global Growth
Equinox’s origins reflect the nature of its work. With founders based in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, the company began as a cross-continental partnership serving clients navigating Africa’s fast-growing business landscape. Over time, Equinox expanded into additional African markets and the United Kingdom, building a footprint centered on trust, compliance, and management services.
As the company looked toward North America, the team weighed U.S. locations that could support its next phase of growth.
“The U.S. is the largest single market in the world,” Wakjira said. “We knew we needed a starting point that aligned with our global ambitions.”
Equinox evaluated four states and presented its findings to the company’s board. When it came time to choose, one location stood out.
“DC was the most prepared,” Wakjira said.
Why Washington, DC Rose to the Top
Wakjira noted that Washington, DC demonstrated a clear understanding of what international companies need when entering a new market.
From physical workspace and talent needs to relationship-building and operational setup, the District showed an ability to anticipate challenges and provide proactive support.
“All the things I worry about as a CEO—DC already had an idea about how they could help me,” he said. “And they had … flexibility to take my opinion and put it into action.”
That responsiveness began from the very first outreach. Wakjira connected with WDCEP via SelectUSA and received immediate support from the business attraction team.
“That already tells you this is a serious group of people that understand their work,” Wakjira said. “Every commitment they took, they closed the loop … that builds trust.”
The Role of the Washington, DC Global Soft Landing Program
A turning point in Equinox’s expansion was the Washington, DC Global Soft Landing Program, which provides international companies with real estate support, concierge services, market intelligence, and connections to service providers.
“The Soft Landing Program was so resourceful,” Wakjira said. “I didn’t need to have my own lease. Getting started here was box number one ticked.”
The program helped the company navigate U.S. leasing norms, understand regulatory requirements, and gain access to professional networks that accelerated onboarding.
“DC made sure they removed unnecessary barriers out of the way,” he said. “The introductions, the resources, the platforms—they made all the difference.”
Establishing a Headquarters—and a Long-Term Home
Equinox recently moved its global holding structure to the United States and chose Washington, DC as the location where the company will manage all global contracts.
“For the first time in our existence, we’ll have something that looks like a headquarters,” Wakjira shared. “People would ask where we were headquartered, and I didn’t have an answer. Now I can say we’re headquartered in DC.”
A Place Built for International Companies
For Equinox, Washington, DC provided more than a landing zone—it offered a strategic launchpad for long-term growth.
To hear more from Jote Wakjira and other business leaders choosing Washington, DC, explore the full Executive Insights series.