Category: Tech

From Boeing Engineer to Logistics Entrepreneur, The Inspiring Journey of Charles Thuo and Apexloads

When you think of the typical journey to success, it often follows a familiar script: graduate, get a great job, climb the corporate ladder. But for Charles Thuo, a Kenyan-born aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur, his story took a powerful turn. From working with industry giants like Boeing and Cessna to founding Apexloads, a logistics tech startup revolutionizing transportation in Africa, Charles’ journey is anything but ordinary.

Humble Beginnings in Kenya

Born in Murang’a County, Kenya, Charles Thuo’s early life was shaped by transition and ambition. His family later relocated to Ngong, just outside Nairobi, after his father secured a job with Standard Chartered Bank. From Class 3 through high school, Ngong became his home and the foundation for his education and future career.

Like many Kenyan students of the time, Charles found himself in the common post-high school limbo—waiting for university placements. During this period, he took a course in Information Technology (IT) at Kenya School of Professional Studies (KSPS), which would later become Inorero University, among other names.

While he was later admitted to Kenyatta University (KU) to pursue Biotechnology, Charles only stayed for one semester. A life-changing opportunity to study in the United States soon emerged, and he took a leap of faith that would change his destiny forever.

Discovering Aerospace Engineering in the U.S.

Charles arrived in the U.S. and settled in Oklahoma, a state not commonly on the radar of international students, but one he praises for its affordable living costs and student-friendly environment. He initially began with civil engineering, shifted to general engineering, and finally graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering.

His time in the U.S. education system introduced him to a concept unfamiliar in Kenya, academic flexibility. Unlike Kenyan institutions that dictate your major, American universities allowed him to explore different paths before landing on his passion.

Soon after graduation, Charles landed roles at two of the world’s most respected aerospace companies—Cessna and Boeing. At Cessna, based in Wichita, Kansas, he worked on executive jets, and later at Boeing’s defense division, helping develop military-grade aircraft.

Engineering Mindset, Entrepreneurial Execution

For Thuo, engineering is about solving problems. And that’s exactly what he’s doing.

“At its core, engineering teaches you how to dissect complex systems and fix them. Whether it’s a jet or a logistics platform, it’s the same principle,” he says.

From designing defense aircraft for Boeing to creating a startup that could transform African logistics, his story exemplifies the power of thinking big, and acting boldly.

A Surprising Pivot: From Skies to Roads

Working for Boeing would be a dream for many, but Charles had a different calling. While still employed in the aerospace sector, he began dabbling in logistics as a side hustle, first by delivering medical supplies to pharmacies and hospitals in a cargo van, then by helping people move households on weekends.

Eventually, he ventured into trucking, and that’s where he found his true passion.

“I went from an aerospace engineer working on aircraft to driving a truck,” Charles says, smiling. “People thought I had lost my mind.”

Despite the skepticism from friends and family, Charles was pragmatic. A truck driver he hired was earning twice his Boeing salary. That sparked a turning point. After six months of weighing his options and tracking seasonal demand, Charles fully transitioned into trucking, earning in three days what he previously made in two weeks.

“I was working full-time at Boeing, but realized that with trucking, I could earn in three days what Boeing paid in two weeks,” he explains. That realization was pivotal.

His decision was driven by economic sense, not ego.

Building Apexloads: African Problems, Global Solutions

As Charles navigated the U.S. logistics space, he noticed how efficient, tech-driven, and systematic everything was. From automated load boards to route optimization, the U.S. trucking industry was lightyears ahead of its African counterpart.

“In Africa, we are at least four decades behind in logistics tech and efficiency,” he says.

With that realization, Charles founded Apexloads, a logistics tech startup aimed at digitizing and streamlining how freight and goods move across Kenya and Africa at large. The idea was simple, build what’s working in the U.S. and tailor it for Africa.

Today, ApexLoads is working to optimize freight movement, connect shippers and truckers through a centralized digital platform, and eliminate the inefficiencies that plague Africa’s supply chains.

Why Apexload Matters for Africa

Apexload is not just another logistics company. It aims to modernize freight transportation in Africa by creating a tech-first platform that streamlines delivery processes. This includes real-time tracking, efficient cargo matching, and data-driven route optimization.

“Truck owners in Kenya often rely on brokers who charge hefty commissions. Shippers don’t know where their goods are or if they’ll be delivered on time,” Charles explains. ” We’re building infrastructure and we don’t charge commissions.”

Challenges and Future Prospects

Starting a tech company focused on logistics in Africa isn’t easy. Infrastructure, policy, and digital adoption rates present hurdles. But Thuo is undeterred.

“Building something for Africa while living in the U.S. is a challenge, but it’s also a blessing. We get to use the best systems daily and design with that knowledge in mind,” he says.

Apexload is currently expanding operations in Kenya and building partnerships with transporters and manufacturing companies. The goal? A Pan-African logistics revolution.

Not Just Tech, Also a Farmer and Innovator

Before Apexloads, Charles had already embraced entrepreneurship in different ways. In Oklahoma, he managed to buy 40 acres of land at the price of just Ksh150,000 per acre, a fraction of land costs in Kenya. He ventured into farming, raising over 50 goats and 60 chickens at one point. The farm produced goat meat and eggs, adding another revenue stream to his growing portfolio.

This versatility gave him firsthand experience in agriculture logistics, which has become another vertical ApexLoads is eyeing in its long-term roadmap.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen Through the Military

One of the most impactful decisions Charles made was joining the U.S. military in 2013, others also join via the MAVNI Program (Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest). A program allowing non-citizens with specialized skills or language abilities, like Swahili, to join the military in exchange for expedited citizenship.

After completing 10 weeks of basic training, Charles officially became a U.S. citizen. He later received advanced training in a military job role (MOS) of his choice. This path not only opened doors for entrepreneurship but also drastically reduced his college tuition, giving him legal flexibility to pursue opportunities and build businesses across states.

Lessons from the Military: Leadership and Logistics

Military training not only instilled discipline, but also gave Charles valuable skills in logistics, systems thinking, and leadership. “The military teaches you how to operate in structured, high-pressure environments, skills that directly apply to entrepreneurship,” he says.

The exposure helped him understand how efficient logistics systems work, which later became the backbone of Apexload’s design.

Lessons from the Journey: Break the Stereotype

Charles often reflects on the cultural biases surrounding success and professions. In Kenya, the dream is often portrayed as becoming a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. But Charles is proof that success can take non-traditional paths.

In fact, he shares how in both the U.S. and Kenya, hands-on professions like plumbing or trucking can be more lucrative than white-collar jobs, challenging old mindsets about education and income.

“I always say, it’s not about what you do; it’s about how well you do it,” he says.

And his story proves that point. By combining the engineering mindset (solving problems) with entrepreneurial spirit, Charles has created value across industries from aerospace to farming to logistics.

Vision for the Future: Transforming Africa’s Logistics Landscape

Looking ahead, Charles envisions Apexloads becoming a pan-African logistics powerhouse, digitizing cargo, empowering truck owners, and cutting transport costs that continue to stifle economic growth.

The platform is already being beta tested among transporters in Kenya, offering digital solutions like:

• Load tracking
• Real-time updates
• Driver authentication
• Cashless payments
• Route optimization

Charles believes that by integrating these systems, Africa can leapfrog into the modern logistics age. He’s particularly passionate about using data and tech to reduce waste and inefficiency, ultimately improving everything from farm produce delivery to urban goods movement.

Final Word: Build to Solve

To young Africans dreaming of success abroad or back home, Charles Thuo offers this advice:

“Don’t fear change or unconventional paths. Whether you’re driving a truck or designing an aircraft, what matters is that you’re building something, learning, and solving problems.”

In Addition, Charles emphasizes on building solution oriented businesses, having a product that solves people problems will always have a distinct market. His story is a powerful testament to resilience, reinvention, and resourcefulness. From rural Murang’a to the skies of Boeing to the logistics yards of Oklahoma, Charles Thuo is redefining what it means to be a modern African entrepreneur.