Okonjo-Iweala appointed by Ramaphosa to advise South Africa on economy, recession
NEWSMAN, Abuja – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed former Nigerian finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as part of an independent economic advisory team to guide economic development and growth following the country’s recession.
“With President Ramaphosa, members of cabinet, and members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council in Pretoria discussing sources of growth for the South African economy and win-win economic interactions with the continent,” Okonjo-Iweala posted on her verified twitter account on Saturday.
The pictures showed Okonjo-Iweala with other members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council in Pretoria after a meeting Saturday. The new decision may not be unconnected with the recession currently affecting the southern African country.
Ramaphosa had last year similarly appointed an economic advisory council to smooth policy implementation.
The independent body, chaired by Ramaphosa, brings together economists and technical experts drawn from academia, the private sector, labor and other constituencies, the presidency said.
The members usually serve a three-year term and are initially meant to meet quarterly.
Last year’s members of the council included Benno Ndulu, who served as the governor of the Bank of Tanzania from 2008 until 2018, and Dani Rodrik, professor of international political economy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Renosi Mokate, a former deputy governor of the South African central bank, and Thabi Leoka, an independent economist and non-executive director of SA Express Airways Ltd., were also appointed.
Other members are:
Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya, chief economist at First National Bank
Wandile Sihlobo, head of agribusiness research at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa
Mzukisi Qobo, professor of international business at the University of Witwatersrand
Mariana Mazzucato, director of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London
Kenneth Creamer, professor of macroeconomics at the University of Witwatersrand
Alan Hirsch, director of the Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice at the University of Cape Town
Tania Ajam, a public financial management lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch’s School of Public Leadership
Grové Steyn, an infrastructure and regulatory economist
Liberty Mncube, former chief economist at South Africa’s Competition Commission
Fiona Tregenna, a professor in the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Economics and Econometrics
Haroon Bhorat, director of the University of Cape Town’s Development Policy Research Unit
Ayabonga Cawe, a development economist
Vusi Gumede, former chief policy analyst in the presidency’s Policy Coordination and Advisory Service
Imraan Valodia, dean of the University of Witwatersrand‘s Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management
