Vuyiswa Mkhabela

Senior Consultant

Vuyiswa is an economist at DNA Economics in the Trade, Industrial Policy, and Regional Integration practice. Vuyiswa holds a BCom in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics and a BCom Honours in Economics from the University of Cape Town and the University of South Africa, respectively. Vuyiswa is completing a Master’s in Economics at the University of Cape Town, specialising in Economic Development. Vuyiswa has experience working for the public and private sectors at a national, provincial, and local level, analysing complex social and economic problems, and advising stakeholders on potential policy reforms, strategic business solutions and industrial development approaches and frameworks.

As the AfCFTA and industrialisation research officer, Vuyiswa has led and supported the work of the AfCFTA Secretariat Trade and Industrial Development Advisory Council focused on the development of regional textile and apparel value chains under the AfCFTA. In this role, Vuyiswa led the project focused on the formation of three industry-led working groups (including manufacturers, organised labour, technical expertise, developmental organisations, and academic institutions from across Africa) focused on identifying constraints and unlocking opportunities for the development of regional textiles and apparel value chains.