Economist, Former Minister, Gender and Youth Activist
Botswana

Bogolo J. Kenewendo is a global economist with deep expertise in international trade and development. She has a particular focus on Pan-African development and a passion for accelerating digitization and innovation across the continent. In 2022, she was appointed as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions’ Special Advisor, Africa Director.

As the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry in Botswana, she implemented reforms to significantly improve the ease of doing business, open up both domestic and international markets, and position the country to succeed in the global value chains as well as the digital economy. During her tenure, she was the youngest Cabinet Minister in Africa and in Botswana’s history.

Kenewendo is also a vocal advocate for gender equity and the protection of children’s rights.

She has received global recognition for her work, being appointed as a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development, a member of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation and group on Financing for Development, a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Future Council on Global Public Goods in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and a WEF Young Global Leader.

She currently serves as Managing Director of Kenewendo Advisory, an economic development consultancy company, and sits on multiple corporate boards.