DNA's people

Our core team has substantial experience in economic, business and development consulting. Where DNA Economics does not have the requisite skills in-house, we bring in world experts through our network of associates, our close links with regional academic institutions and our strategic partners abroad.

Jessie Badham

Analyst

Jessie Badham

Analyst

Jessie joined the Financial Empowerment and Monitoring and Evaluation Practice (FEM-E) as an Economist (Analyst) in February 2025. A passionate development economist, she brings a strong academic foundation and a deep commitment to tackling economic challenges across Southern Africa. Jessie holds a Master’s in Public Policy & Development from the Paris School of Economics and a BSocSci (Hons) in Economics from the University of Cape Town. She also has a background in South African Law, gained through her undergraduate studies, which further informs her interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

Before joining DNA Economics, Jessie worked in the Behavioural Economics Graduate Programme at Standard Bank South Africa. Her areas of interest include public and regulatory economics, climate finance, and financial inclusion. Past projects include analysing multinational peacekeeping efforts, assessing the implications of carbon taxation in South Africa, and studying the effects of incentives on female labour force participation in France.

Tatenda Zingoni

Development Economist

Tatenda Zingoni

Development Economist

Tatenda Zingoni has joined DNA Economics as a Principal in the Climate and Public Economics Practice focusing on Social Policy. He is a development economist with over 15 years of research and consulting experience working in the private, public and non-profit sectors across various industries in sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. Tatenda’s recent focus has mainly been on strengthening health systems and facilitating engagement on health financing reform processes.

As a seasoned consultant, Tatenda is highly experienced in stakeholder engagement and management, research and project management, as well as facilitating and leading strategic planning initiatives. He is adept at navigating different contexts and levels i.e. from global platforms, C-suite executives to shopfloor and grassroot engagements. Tatenda’s main interest revolves around how to facilitate access, whether it be access to information, opportunities, finances or networks within the social sectors he conducts work in (health, education, WASH and social protection). Collaboration undergirds the work he does to ensure sustainability of any interventions, as this to him embodies the African adage that speaks to going far together, and not just going fast alone.

Previlage Chidzewere

Consultant

Previlage Chidzewere

Consultant

Previlage Chidzewere work as a Business Development and Project Management Specialist at DNA. Before joining DNA Economics, Previlage oversaw large-scale donor funded programmes and have significant experience in managing international projects, facilitating strategic dialogues, conceptualising, planning, as well as implementing multi-stakeholder and cross-regional programmes in Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He has a strong understanding of regional development work, including the maintenance of relationships with key stakeholders, including government, donors, civil society, and the private sector. Previlage holds a master’s degree in Public and Development Management from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Joseph Clayton

Joseph Clayton is an Economist (Analyst) in the Climate and

Joseph Clayton

Joseph Clayton is an Economist (Analyst) in the Climate and Public Economics (CPE) practice area at DNA Economics. He joined the firm as an Intern in February 2025 before taking up his current role in May. Joseph has a strong foundation in financial modelling, data analysis, and investment research, with particular interests in financial markets and risk management. He has experience applying econometric and statistical techniques to areas such as portfolio optimisation, FX volatility analysis, and risk assessment. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and recently completed his Master of Commerce in Finance, specialising in Investment Management (UCT).

Dr Godfrey Kamutando

Consultant

Dr Godfrey Kamutando

Consultant

Dr. Godfrey Kamutando joins DNA Economics as a senior economist specialising in the International Trade and Regional Integration practice. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Cape Town. With a strong background in applied and development economics, his expertise extends to various aspects of economic research, including trade modelling, comprehensive quantitative econometric data analysis, and project management.

Prior to joining DNA Economics, he served as a Research Fellow at the Policy Research in International Services and Manufacturing (PRISM). During his tenure, he focused on the thematic area of African Industrialization through Trade and Regional Integration, contributing valuable insights to the field.

Michaella Allen

Senior Consultant

Michaella Allen

Senior Consultant

Michaella joins DNA Economics as a Senior Consultant in the firm’s Financial Empowerment and Monitoring and Evaluation (FEM-E) practice. With a background working in both the non-profit and private sector, Michaella brings extensive consulting experience in digital transformation, fintech, inclusive digital financial services and digital public infrastructure (DPI).

Prior to joining DNA Economics, Michaella served as Director of Products at DreamStart Labs for Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, where she led the development of innovative mobile financial solutions designed to help informal and unbanked female-led savings groups in emerging markets to track and digitise their savings records to access credit from formal providers. Michaella also brings nearly a decade of research and technical assistance experience specialising in inclusive digital payment systems, digital economies, digital currencies, digital identity, MSME resilience, inclusive insurance, and enabling regulatory frameworks for financial sector innovation.

Michaella holds a Master of Commerce degree specialising in Economic Development from the University of Cape Town. Her practical experience in fintech product development, combined with her understanding of regulatory environments, and consumer protection frameworks, enables her to provide comprehensive strategic guidance to both public and private sector clients, as well as international donor audiences.

Vuyisiwe Mahafu

Analyst

Vuyisiwe Mahafu

Analyst

Vuyisiwe is a Junior Economist at DNA Economics in the Public Economics and Modelling Practice Area. She holds a Bachelor’s and Honours degrees from Rhodes University and a Master’s degree from the University of Witwatersrand, all specialising in Economics. She has also completed the National Certificate in Financial Markets and Instruments from Novia One.

Vuyisiwe is an alumnus of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Fort Hare Autumn School (FES-FHAS) on Social Democracy and Political Economy. This youth and leadership programme aims to enable South Africa’s next generation of leaders to become active and socially responsible citizens who aspire to promote a better life for everyone. She is the current General Secretary for the 2023/2024 FES-FHAS Alumni Board.

Vuyisiwe is passionate about public policy because of its potential to have a real impact. She wants to use her skills and knowledge as an economist to contribute to public policies that alleviate poverty, decrease inequality, create jobs and grow the economy. In her words: “I have a duty to invest in my country”.

Yash Ramkolowan

Managing Director

Yash Ramkolowan

Managing Director

Yash Ramkolowan is the Managing Director of DNA Economics and an economist with experience in financial economics, trade and industrial policy. He has been involved in a wide number of DNA’s trade research and training activities. This includes assessing the impact of different trade policy options (using partial and general equilibrium models); the development of trade and tariff databases for trade negotiations’ analysis; and consultations and case studies across Southern Africa.

More recently he has been involved in a number of studies on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including for clients such as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Secretariat, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Union Commission.

Experience

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Top-rated

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Industry expert

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Emma Smith

Analyst

Emma Smith

Analyst

Emma is a Junior Economist at DNA Economics, working in the Trade, investment, and Regional Integration Practice Area. She holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc)degree, a BSocSc Honours degree from the University of Cape Town and a Master’s of Science degree in Labor Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Prior to joining DNA Economics, Emma held part-time positions at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies and the Chris Hani Institute, where she primarily worked on post-Covid economic recovery and collective bargaining research. In addition, she has done consultative work for trade unions, focusing on ethical standards boards and their role in the fruit and wine supply chain in the Western Cape. Her own research has focused on the changing nature of work and South Africa’s National Minimum Wage.

Elias Masilela

Non-Executive Chairperson

Elias Masilela

Non-Executive Chairperson

Elias Masilela is an MD of Family Investment business, BuMa Investment Holdings. Chairman of DNA Economics, Sanlam, Capital Harvest, Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA) as well as National Task Force on Impact Investing in South Africa. Convenor of Family Foundation, Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo. Member of the boards of Multichoice Group, Multichoice SA, Alternative Prosperity Holdings, Future Planet Capital in London, Strate, CA Sales as well as Global Steering Group (GSG) on Impact Investing.

Previously, Commissioner of the 1st & 2nd National Planning Commission, CEO of the PIC, Head of Policy Analysis at Sanlam, Act. Dep. Director General Economic Policy in the National Treasury, Director of Research, Central Bank of Swaziland. He was also a member of the Boards of the South African Reserve Bank, Government Employee Pension Fund, Airports Company SA as well as the UN Global Compact Board & Chairman of the (UNGC) SA Local Network. Until recently, Chairman of Absa Asset Management and member of the Avior Capital Markets, Absa Financial Services, Eskom Pension and Provident Fund as well as the V&A Waterfront. Elias holds a BA Degree Social Science with the University of Swaziland, MSc in Economic Policy and Analysis with Addis Ababa University as well as several professional certificates with Harvard University.

Experience

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Industry expert

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Imaan Ghoor

Analyst

Imaan Ghoor

Analyst

Imaan is an analyst in the Climate & Public Economics team at DNA Economics. Since joining DNA, she has worked on projects across climate finance, municipal support, financial inclusion, and public programme evaluation. This includes reviewing the performance of South Africa’s Green Fund, assessing long-term fiscal sustainability, evaluating financial literacy and youth employment initiatives, and analysing the cost of inaction in sectors like early childhood development and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

Imaan has a particular interest in Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Economics. Previous research topics looked at trade and the environment and her current research is investigating burden sharing preferences of Cape Town residents in the context of water consumption.

Prior to joining DNA Economics, she taught undergraduate students in Applied Statistics at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Imaan holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Economics) from the University of Cape Town, and has submitted her Masters dissertation within the Environmental Policy Research Unit (EPRU) at UCT.

Dr Matthew Stern

Director | Practice Head: Trade, Regional Integration and Industrial Policy

Dr Matthew Stern

Director | Practice Head: Trade, Regional Integration and Industrial Policy / Donor Programme Management

Matthew Stern is a Director of DNA Economics and heads up the company’s Trade and Regional Integration Practice. He is also responsible for DNA’s Donor Programme Management. Prior to founding DNA Economics, Matthew worked for the South African Department of Trade and Industry, the National Treasury of South Africa and the World Bank.

His consulting and research interests are in trade and industrial policy and regional integration. Matthew has an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London and a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Sussex.

Experience

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Industry expert

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