We are pleased to announce the Public Sector Top 3 CEOs of the Week, recognizing the outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the public sector. These exceptional Chief Executive Officers have demonstrated visionary leadership, strategic excellence, and a deep commitment to public service. Their innovative approaches and unwavering dedication have driven impactful changes and advancements within their organizations. Join us in celebrating their remarkable achievements and honouring the leadership qualities that have set them apart in the public sector.
Here are the Top Three (3) CEOs:
Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) Tanzania Director General, Mr Charles Itembe has emerged as Public Sector Global CEO of the Week
Mr. Itembe, an economist, has over 22 years of experience in the financial sector and previously served as the Managing Director of Azania Bank, one of Tanzania’s top ten banks. His extensive experience in financial markets, treasury management, capital markets, and investor relations significantly enhances the promotion of investment opportunities from a macroeconomic perspective.
A certified board member, Mr. Itembe has served on various boards and is committed to transforming business practices and the SEZ investment landscape. His blend of private and public sector experience is pivotal in advancing economic development through Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones.
The EPZA under Itembe’s administration provides developers’ licences to manufacturers in SEZs that allow exporting up to 80 per cent of the goods, thus boosting foreign exchange earnings but also guaranteeing increased employment opportunities for Tanzanians.
Mr Itembe said the funds sourced from the main capital market can help in the swift and easy implementation of the SEZ projects because they are mobilised at one time rather than involving individuals, the process that can take a long time and delay the country’s SEZ development.
Thus, he added, getting a huge sum of money at one time can help stimulate many investment areas, improve investment climate and speed of investing and through this plan the government will be involved in laying basic fundamental infrastructures to open these areas for the private sectors to invest in vertical infrastructures like industrial sheds, warehouses as well factories of highest priorities.
As of June 2024, the company had reported an attracted capital worth 2 billion US dollars (over 5.3tri/-) in the last ten years, contributing about 2.5 billion US dollars (6.5tri/-) of export earnings. The EPZA’s success story in attracting capital and increasing export earnings is largely attributed to the government’s continued efforts to create an enabling environment in the country.
During the period under review, EPZA has registered more than 250 factories in different sectors which have contributed more than 60,000 direct jobs and more than 100,000 indirect jobs in various sectors including agriculture, mineral processing, packaging, meat and products wood.
Encouraging collaborative efforts among agencies is central to Itembe’s agenda. The strategic execution of operations with an emphasis on agency collaboration has proven effective. Recently, in an effort to boost investment opportunities and economic growth in Zanzibar, the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) hosted a delegation from the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) at their headquarters in Dar es Salaam. This visit aimed to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange, thereby strengthening ZIPA’s capacity to meet its policy and statutory objectives.
Establishing and maintaining international relations has been another hallmark of Itembe’s tenure. Demonstrating a promising display of international cooperation and investment potential, the EPZA welcomed a distinguished delegation from Hunan Province, China. Led by Deputy Mayor Mr. Yangwei of Loudi, the delegation included numerous investors from Loudi City, interested in exploring expansion opportunities in Africa, with a specific focus on Tanzania.
The visit, marked by a spirit of collaboration and mutual interest, aimed to explore avenues for investment and economic cooperation between China and Tanzania. EPZA, as a key entity in facilitating investment and business development in Tanzania, warmly welcomed the delegation, underscoring the nation’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investment.
In further enhancing international relations, EPZA launched the largest cashew factory in Mkuranga in December 2023. EPZA registered and launched Tan Ko Mirae Green Company in Korea. This factory has created over 150 direct jobs and has become a major hub for cashew production in Tanzania. The factory processes cashew nuts to the final stage and utilizes cashew nut shells to produce oil, charcoal, and fertilizer.
Bank of Botswana, Governor, Mr. C K. Dekop has emerged as Public Sector Global CEO of the Week
Mr Dekop has over a decade’s worth of expertise in the industry. Before his current role, Mr. Dekop held key positions in the Botswana government, including Secretary for Development Programmes and Budget at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security.
He also served as the Executive Director of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the African Development Fund, where he represented the Southern Africa Group 1 Constituency. These roles have provided him with a deep understanding of development planning, budgeting, and the management of mineral and energy resources where he inculcates them into his current obligations.
Mr. Dekop also boasts a rich educational background, having studied at renowned institutions such as Williams College and Harvard University. This solid academic foundation has equipped him with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and lead complex financial systems.
Under his leadership, the Bank of Botswana has made strides in enhancing the country’s financial system.
In collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Frontclear, the Bank launched the Money Market Diagnostic Framework (MMDF). This framework aims to provide critical insights for the holistic development of the money and interbank market, identifying impediments, and making sequential recommendations.
The initiative reflects Mr Dekop’s commitment to improving the liquidity and monetary policy transmission in Botswana’s financial system.
Moreover, the Bank of Botswana has successfully managed to keep inflation under control. Headline inflation decreased from 3 per cent in May to 2.8 per cent in June 2024, breaching the lower bound of the medium-term objective range of 3 – 6 per cent.
This decline was primarily due to the deceleration in the rate of price changes for certain goods and services, particularly transport and motor vehicles.
The stability in tradeable and non-tradeable inflation further underscores the effectiveness of the Bank’s monetary policies under Mr. Dekop’s leadership.
Botswana’s sovereign credit rating has been affirmed by S&P Global Ratings. The country maintains a ‘BBB+’ long-term and ‘A-2’ short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit rating, with a stable outlook.
This rating, the highest in Africa, reflects the resilience of Botswana’s economy, prudent management of its natural resource wealth, strong external balance sheet, and robust monetary policy framework.
Ghana Export Promotion Authority Chief Executive Officer, Afua Asabea Asare I has emerged as Public Sector Global CEO of the Week
Dr. Afua Asabea Asare is a renowned corporate and cross-cultural trainer and strategy enthusiast who is celebrated for her profound expertise in integrated communications and organizational development. With 26 years of management experience across diverse corporate environments, she has proven to be a dynamic leader with strong entrepreneurial acumen.
Dr Asare is an esteemed member of several academic and corporate boards, including the African Leadership Academy in South Africa, IE Advisory Board for IE University in Madrid, Ghana Telecom University College, World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) Ghana, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana. She also holds advisory roles with the Trade & Investment Support Institution of ITC, Ghana Exim Bank, Venture Capital Trust Fund, and the Data Protection Agency in Ghana.
Under her leadership, GEPA reported a significant 11.75% increase in Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) earnings in 2024, reaching US$3.94 billion and accounting for 24% of total merchandise exports. Notably, iron and steel products became the top NTE earner, generating US$447.80 million and surpassing cocoa paste.
Appointed CEO of GEPA in 2018 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Dr. Asare has spearheaded numerous projects aimed at enhancing Ghana’s export sector. She has played a pivotal role in educating, promoting, and positioning Ghanaian products on the international market, benefiting countless local producers through various initiatives.
One of her notable achievements includes the execution of the “This is Ghana” project, which featured 200 exhibitors and garnered the support of Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. This initiative showcased a diverse range of products, including processed foods, beverages, industrial art, and craft items.
Dr. Asare also led GEPA’s participation in the 2nd International Coconut Festival, themed “Repositioning Ghana’s Coconut Sector for Accelerated Industrialization,” further cementing her commitment to sectoral development. In 2019, GEPA, under her guidance, partnered with ACG to host Ghana’s first International Coconut Festival, promoting the coconut industry.
In 2021, she introduced the GEPA Impact Hub, a state-of-the-art, technology-driven export trade information center designed to provide up-to-date trade information to the Ghanaian exporter community and other stakeholders.
Dr. Asare’s exceptional leadership and visionary approach were recognized when she was named Instinct Business CEO of the Week from October 9 to 15, 2022. This accolade celebrates top-performing CEOs in Africa for their remarkable achievements, industry experience, and innovative leadership.
Her tenure as CEO has been marked by a commitment to enhancing Ghana’s export capabilities, driving economic growth, and positioning Ghanaian products on the global stage.
The highly rated CEO of the week is a weekly accreditation of top-performing CEOs whose policies and leadership have brought transformation to society. This publication is targeted at showcasing the achievements of CEOs across the world.
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BY RUTH SEKYI – PUBLIC SECTOR GLOBAL
