Bogolo Joy Kenewendo stands as a towering figure in Pan-African development, championing sustainable trade, innovation, and climate solutions across the continent. From serving as Botswana’s youngest-ever Cabinet Minister to shaping international carbon market initiatives, Kenewendo’s career is a testament to her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to Africa’s economic transformation.
Kenewendo made history as the youngest Cabinet Minister in Africa when she was appointed Botswana’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry. As a global economist, Kenewendo has advised governments and international organizations on trade and economic development policies. She currently serves as Managing Director of Kenewendo Advisory, a firm that provides tailored strategies for advancing Africa’s regional integration opportunities. Her expertise has earned her positions on several corporate and philanthropic boards, including Chairperson of Bank Gaborone, Non-Executive Director of the African Continental Free Trade Area Adjustment Fund Corporation, and board member of RDC Properties.
Kenewendo is also deeply involved in multilateral platforms, such as the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she is a member of the Trade Advisory Group and Global Future Council on Global Public Goods. She has been recognized as a WEF Young Global Leader and serves as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development.
Until recently, Kenewendo served as the Africa Director and Special Advisor for the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, where she played a pivotal role in delivering a transformative COP27. As one of the founders of the African Carbon Markets Initiative (ACMI), she has championed the potential of carbon markets to unlock development finance and drive sustainable growth.
The ACMI, launched in collaboration with partners like Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, aims to establish a thriving voluntary carbon market ecosystem in Africa by 2030. Speaking at the Africa CEO Summit, Kenewendo emphasized the initiative’s vision to influence policies related to energy access, clean cooking, and nature-based solutions.
Kenewendo’s advocacy for gender equity and children’s rights has been a recurring theme in her career. As a member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and various UN advisory groups, she continues to influence global conversations on inclusivity. Recognized by TIME magazine as one of the TIME100 Next Honorees in 2022, she is celebrated as a leader shaping the next generation.
