TradeMark Africa
Growing Prosperity Through Trade

TradeMark Africa

Board of Directors

The Board is chaired by H.E Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, who is the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia. 

The Board is chaired by H.E Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, who is the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia; Vice Chair Susan Kiama, People Operations at Twiga Foods.

Members include:

  • Alex Fraser, Senior Adviser on Intra-African Trade and development for the African division of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
  • Celestine Munda, Government and Infrastructure Lead, Ernst & Young.
  • David Luke, Strategic Director Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa, London School of Economics.
  • Professor Dominic McVey MBE, a business leader with extensive experience in building businesses and not for profits across the African continent.
  • Gabriel Negatu, Managing Director of Invest Afrique Inc and formerly Director General Eastern Africa, African Development Bank.
  • Lola Ekugo, a Digital and Innovation Expert and Chief Digital Officer at FBN Quest (an arm of FBN Holdings PLC).
  • Patricia Ojangole, CEO of Uganda Development Bank.
  • Sanjay Rughani, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Uganda.

H.E Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe

Board Chair
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Celestine Munda

Board Member
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Sanjay Rughani

Board Member
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Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa

Board Member
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Mr. Jas Bedi

Board Member
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Lola Aworanti - Ekugo

Board Member
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Prof. Dominic Mcvey

Board Member
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Prof. David Luke

Board Member
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Alexander Fraser

Board Member
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Ms. Safia Boly

Board Member
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More on Who We Are
H.E Hailemariam Dessalegn
H.E Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe - Board Chairman

H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe took up his appointment as TradeMark Africa’s Board Chair in September 2024. As a senior political leader with experience on both national and continental stages, H.E. Desalegn’s expertise and experience is central to guiding TMA through its 2023-2030 strategy. The strategy focuses on continuing to reduce the time and cost of transporting goods across borders and improving market access for SMEs by improving the value and quality of traded goods, while addressing the trade-related challenges of the future for the continent.

H.E Desalegn’s tenure as Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 2012 to 2018 was marked by a visionary approach to economic and diplomatic engagements, under which Ethiopia saw sustained double-digit economic growth. His experience in fostering trade agreements and promoting economic integration during his tenure as Chair of Africa Union from 2013 to 2014, is particularly relevant as TMA intensifies its efforts to support African governments in defining and negotiating their trade policy.

H.E. Desalegn holds a master’s degree in water and environmental engineering from Tampere University of Technology in Finland and a second Master’s in Organisational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University in California, USA. He previously held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of Social Affairs and Government Chief-Whip Minister. He also served as Governor of the Southern Regional State of Ethiopia for six years. He serves on several Boards of international organisations.

Celestine Munda - Board Member

Celestine is the Government and Infrastructure Lead at Ernst and Young (EY). She was previously the Risk Consulting Leader and Country Managing Partner in the same institution. She also serves in the following capacities: Ernst and Young Global Board, Vice President of Institute of Internal Audit (RSA) at the Jim McPhee Foundation and is the Chairperson of the Advisory Board of Internal Audit Endorsed Programme (IAEP) in the University of Pretoria (RSA)

Sanjay Rughani - Board Member

Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited

Mr. Sanjay Rughani is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited, a position he has held since July 2022. 

Sanjay’ has a career spanning close to 25 years in Banking across Africa, Asia and Europe, he has worked in senior roles in the UK, Kenya, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’ Ivoire, with responsibilities overseeing operations in the Standard Chartered Bank Business in Africa and India. His most recent role prior to this appointment, was CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Tanzania. 

Sanjay is recognized for driving significant business transformation, in his role as the CEO, he has won significant accolades for his position and through his strong leadership representation with different important thought leadership forums. He is credited with enhancing business performance, building and optimizing on human capital, championing responsible business and driving digital integration and innovation. He is also acknowledged as a force for good for national and regional prosperity having championed private sector initiatives to elevate trade, investments, leadership capacity building, value partnerships and sustainability.

He is currently Chairman of Professional Accountants in Business Advisory Group (PAIB AG) of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Chairman British Chamber of Commerce Uganda,  Chairman YPO Africa Great Lakes Chapter,  Chairman Furaha Financial Uganda, Member Uganda Bankers Association Central Executive Committee, Chairman The Standard Chartered Group Benevolent Fund. 

His past key governance representations included being Chairman of CEO Roundtable Tanzania, Deputy Chairman of Tanzania Bankers Association (TBA), Executive member of Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC), Director of Association of Tanzanian Employers (ATE), President of Lincoln Community School (International School in Ghana), Chairman of Ghana Business Coalition against HIV & AIDS (GBCA), Director Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) and Founder member of FSSC forum in Kenya.

Sanjay’s professional credentials and qualifications include being a Chartered Accountant through NBAA Tanzania, a Fellow Member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), MBA in Finance, a Fellow of Institute of Information Management Africa (Nigeria), Management post-graduation in HRD and a Bachelor of Commerce. 

He is a Tanzanian citizen.

Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa- Board Member

Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa is a systems leader in economic transformation and co-creating financing solutions for shared prosperity. Her 25+ years of policy and regulatory work at the national, regional, continental (Africa), and global levels demonstrate a strong dedication to unlocking potential through value addition and industrial development, trade and integration, doing business and investment climate reforms, as well as financial and digital inclusion. She is a champion in establishing women, youth and entrepreneurs as self-driven actors in the economy. She leads with integrity, emotional intelligence, intentionality, collaboration and accountability for results and impact.

 

Dr. Monique is a former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, a position she held between 2021 and 2025. She implemented institutional and financial reform and led the strategic planning of the second implementation decade of Agenda 2063- the Decade of Acceleration. Her office supported the swift implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement and galvanized institutions and individuals toward co-creating initiatives promoting intra-African trade, peace, and investments. Prior to that, she served twice in the Cabinet of Rwanda—as State Minister for Economic Planning and as Minister of Trade and Industry—followed by serving as Central Bank Deputy Governor, thereby significantly contributing to economic transformation in her country.

 

Dr. Monique brings a wealth of strategic partnerships, relevant networks, practical on-the-ground country experiences, and synergistic directorship and advisory roles, including the G20 Africa Expert Panel, the Africa Strategic Investment Alliance, and others. She holds an MA and PhD in Economics from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, which also conferred on her an Honorary Doctor of Commerce in recognition of her academically sound policy work, shaping world-class state institutions, and fostering inclusive approaches. 

Mr. Jas Bedi - Board Member

Jaswinder “Jas” Bedi, EBS, MBS, is a Kenyan industrialist and business leader with more than four decades’ experience in manufacturing, exports and private-sector advocacy. A textile graduate of Bradford College in the United Kingdom, he has built and led multi million-dollar enterprises that connect East African production to regional and global markets, including Bedi Investments Limited and Fine Spinners Uganda Limited.

He currently serves as Chairperson of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance and Vice-Chairperson of the East African Business Council, working with governments and business leaders to advance regional integration, reduce non-tariff barriers and strengthen Africa’s competitiveness. He has also chaired the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency, the Export Promotion Council, the African Cotton and Textile Industries Federation and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and served as President of the International Textile Manufacturers Federation.

His career has been marked by a consistent focus on export growth, industrial value chains and reforms that help firms trade. He brings to TMA’s Board a grounded private-sector perspective on what it takes for African businesses to compete, scale and reach higher-value markets. He has been honoured by the Government of Kenya as Moran of the Burning Spear and Elder of the Burning Spear.

Lola Aworanti-Ekugo - Board Member

Lola is a Digital and Innovation expert with over 17 years’ experience focused on offering innovative solutions to real world challenges within the private sector and strengthening the start-up ecosystem through partnerships and impact programs. She is currently the Chief Digital Officer at FBNQuest (an arm of FBN Holdings Plc). Prior she worked in similar roles across Europe and Africa at companies including Dresdner Kleinwort, Commerzbank, BNP Paribas, Union Bank, and First Bank Nigeria. She is the author of the fiction novel titled “Lagos to London”.

Lola holds a BSc in Business Information systems with First Class Honours from Middlesex University, London with a scholarship for outstanding academic achievement and an MBA from Imperial College Business School, London. She has received various recognitions, including the Special Recognition: Women in ICT Award of the Year Award at the Women Tech Network Global Awards 2022, Top 30 women in Fintech by Fintech Africa in 2019, 60 African female fintech experts who are helping to build a professional identity for women in fintech by African Shapers in 2021 and Top 40 CEOs under 40 in Africa by Young Entrepreneurs Summit in 2022. She is also serves as board member for Southwest Innovation and Technology (SWIT) a subsidiary of Odu’a Investment Company Limited.

Prof. Dominic McVey - Board Member

Professor Dominic McVey MBE is an exceptional business leader and board director with extensive experience in building businesses and not for profits across the African continent. Professor McVey has a portfolio of multi-national business interests, spanning manufacturing, technology, cosmetics and management consultancy. He is an outspoken and committed advocate for increasing equitable trade with developing countries and promoting sustainable foreign direct investment into African countries. His not-for-profit roles include Non- Executive Director – Overseas Development Institute, Advisory Council member – Coalition for Global Prosperity, and Chairman of Computer Aid International. Professor McVey is a respected speaker on business ethics and entrepreneurship and consults with government think tanks and world leaders. Professor McVey brings on board visionary perspectives on the role of trade in development, and strong connections with AfCFTA, Regional Economic Communities, African governments, global trade organisations and the private sector.

Prof. David Luke - Board Member

David Luke (Sierra Leone/Canada) is professor in practice and strategic director at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa where he oversees a programme on African trade policy. He is a former director of the African Trade Policy Centre at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) where he led the technical work on the protocols that make up the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. His research interests include boosting intra-African trade; the AfCFTA initiative; Africa’s multilateral and bilateral trade relationships; and how trade policy intersects with industrialisation, food security, structural transformation, inclusion, gender, public health, and climate change. His most recent books are How Africa Trades (2023) and How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks (2025) both published on an open access basis by London School of Economics Press.

Alexander Fraser - Board Member

Alex Fraser is an accomplished international development professional with experience across financial services, industry, international trade and economic development. He is currently the Senior Adviser on intra-African trade and development for the Africa division of the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). In this role he is responsible for the UK’s development strategy on intra-African trade, including overseeing UK funding to TradeMark Africa and partnership with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. He has previously served as a non-executive director on the board of Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSD Africa) where he was a member of the investment and development impact committees. Alex has varied international experience across the public and private sectors at FCDO, DFID, UK Export Finance and Rolls-Royce plc, and holds degrees from The University of Edinburgh and King’s College London.

Ms. Safia Boly - Board Member

Ms. Safia Boly, a Malian national, has held senior roles in both public and private sectors, specialising in finance, institutional strengthening, and decentralised operations. Beginning her career as Head of Finance for a Mali-based drilling company in 1997, she later consulted for the World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation. Her sixteen-year tenure with the United Nations included positions in financial management, logistics, and crisis response across missions in New York, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she served as Chief of Staff during a leadership transition.

Appointed Mali’s Minister for the Reform of Administration and Transparency in 2018, Ms. Boly co-authored the first civil service code of ethics and subsequently led initiatives to promote investment and SME development in agriculture. As Executive Director of AATI, she supported agricultural transformation efforts in Tanzania and Sierra Leone. 

Since April 2026, Ms. Boly is the Senior Vice President for Africa programs at Heifer International where she leads the organizations efforts in alleviating poverty and caring for earth through market systems development and agency to small holder farmers. 

Ms. Boly holds an MBA from Florida State University and pursued executive education at Wharton.