Aviatrix Blog 
Aviatrix wants to elevate the work of cloud networking heroes who labor to keep networks secure, effective, and performant. We’re proud to highlight people who have taught themselves the necessary skills, designed and managed successful networks, and have the expertise to share.
Our next hero spotlight is on Daniel Mwangi, Cloud Integration Specialist. See our previous hero spotlights here.
Background: Intrigued by Operational Challenges
Daniel’s journey into tech started somewhat unconventionally. He began as a chef and rose to the role of department head in the fresh foods department of a multinational retail chain. “During this time, I was constantly intrigued by the operational challenges the business faced, such as supply chain inefficiencies, data management, and customer engagement,” he said. “This curiosity led me to explore cloud solutions as a way to solve these problems. Since then, I’ve earned certifications like AWS Solutions Architect and Google Associate Engineer, transitioning fully into the tech space.”
Today, he focuses on networking, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, with a strong emphasis on creating scalable, secure solutions tailored to the needs of African businesses.
His favorite part of his role is the opportunity to turn complex challenges into meaningful solutions that drive business growth. “I’m focused on enabling African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to harness the power of cloud technology, ensuring their data is secure, and building networks that adapt to their needs—it’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact my work has on their success,” he explained.
Some of his proudest achievements have been leading projects like:
- OneConnect365, “an AI-driven data protection platform tailored for African business needs.”
- Stackhost.Africa, “an African-centric web hosting service featuring cutting-edge cloud-bursting technology.”
“These innovations have enabled businesses to scale seamlessly, even under unpredictable workloads, while staying efficient and secure,” he said.
Additionally, Daniel has designed secure, cost-effective cloud solutions for businesses transitioning to hybrid and serverless architectures. “Every milestone reflects my passion for making advanced technology accessible and impactful, fueling my drive to create solutions that truly make a difference,” he said.
Challenges: Providing Cutting-Edge Solutions with Tight Budgets and Underdeveloped Infrastructure
One of the biggest challenges Daniel faces is ensuring that businesses in Africa can access cutting-edge cloud solutions despite limitations like tight budgets, varying levels of tech adoption, and underdeveloped internet infrastructure. “Balancing affordability with advanced technology is no small feat,” he explained.
To tackle this challenge, he’s taken a bold approach by leveraging multicloud configurations in projects like OneConnect365 and Stackhost.Africa. These platforms take full advantage of the strengths of different cloud providers, offering businesses unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and cost optimization:
- OneConnect365 “uses multicloud setups to provide seamless data protection and disaster recovery, ensuring uptime and resilience.”
- Stackhost.Africa “integrates autoscaling and cloud-bursting technologies across clouds to handle surges in traffic without driving up costs.”
“These unconventional strategies allow businesses to harness the best features of multiple cloud platforms without being locked into a single provider,” Daniel explained. “This approach not only mitigates risks but also ensures that solutions remain adaptable as the business grows. My experience in solving these challenges has taught me that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating solutions that truly work for the people they’re built for.”
The Evolution of Networking: From On-Premise Hardware to Cloud-First Strategies
Like our other Cloud Networking Heroes, Daniel has seen major shifts in cloud networking over the course of his career. When he started, networking relied heavily on managing on-premise hardware like routers, switches, and firewalls. Over the years, he’s witnessed a shift towards cloud-first strategies and software-defined networking (SDN), which have made networks more agile and scalable.
“Solutions like Aviatrix have revolutionized the way multicloud networks are managed, providing a centralized platform to simplify operations across different cloud providers,” he said. He named a few other trends:
- Automation — “Automation has also played a significant role, reducing manual workloads and enhancing consistency.”
- Security — “Security has evolved significantly as well, with zero trust architectures and integrated threat detection becoming essential for modern network designs.”
- Connectivity — “In regions like Africa, the focus has also expanded to include cost-effective solutions that empower SMEs with reliable and scalable connectivity.”
Over the next ten years, Daniel believes that networking will become even more decentralized and intelligent:
- AI and machine learning will drive real-time network optimizations, particularly for managing edge computing and IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
- In regions where connectivity and cost-efficiency are critical, cloud networks will integrate more with 5G and local data centers to provide low-latency solutions.
- Cloud-native architectures will become the default, and technologies like serverless computing will dominate, enabling businesses to focus purely on innovation rather than infrastructure.
- Security will evolve with the proliferation of zero trust models.
- Hybrid solutions will likely bridge cloud, on-premise, and edge environments seamlessly.
The Network is the Cloud: A Dynamic and Global System
To Daniel, “The Network is the Cloud” encapsulates the idea that the cloud has become the backbone of modern connectivity. “The network no longer lives in isolated hardware—it’s a dynamic and global system powered by cloud platforms,” he said. “For businesses, it means access to scalable, secure, and resilient networks that drive innovation without the limitations of traditional infrastructure.”
Daniel also noted how the phrase reflects how much the cloud has transformed the world. “It also reflects the integration of cloud services into every aspect of networking and business processes, from security and data storage to application delivery, making the network a flexible and indispensable component of business growth.”
Outside of Work
When Daniel isn’t tinkering with cloud configurations or optimizing networks, you can find him in the kitchen channeling his inner chef. “I’m known for whipping up dishes that are as complex as a multicloud deployment (and just as satisfying),” he said.
His chef skills and cloud computing knowledge have created some interesting moments. “I once tried to explain cloud computing to my 10-year-old using pizza toppings as a metaphor,” he said. “They loved the pizza but remained skeptical about the cloud.”
If he’s not cooking, he’s probably deep into a sci-fi marathon. “I’m a huge sci-fi buff, and nothing beats the thrill of imagining intergalactic cloud networks while rewatching classics or diving into the latest futuristic series,” he said. “Occasionally, I’ll even pause to debate which sci-fi AI would actually run a better cloud infrastructure—HAL 9000 or Data from Star Trek (spoiler: it’s Data).”
Curious about other cloud networking heroes like Daniel?
- We’ll keep highlighting networking professionals on this blog.
- Learn more about the Cloud Networking Heroes program and apply on The Cloud Network Community.