Master of Science in Development Economics – University of London

Bongi Kunene is the Managing Director of The Banking Association South Africa, a role she assumed on March 16, 2020.

Prior to this, she served as the Pan-Africa Head of Public Sector Banking at Standard Bank Group, where she was responsible for the strategic direction of the business across 15 African countries, including South Africa. Her career also includes serving as an Executive Director at the World Bank Group in Washington, D.C., representing South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola on the Board. From November 2016 to October 2018, she chaired the Audit Committee of the World Bank Group.

Bongi has held various leadership roles in the South African government, including four years in the Presidency, first as Chief of Staff to the Deputy President and later as Deputy Director-General responsible for economic policy coordination. She also served as the Superintendent-General, leading the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Department of Finance and Economic Affairs, and held key positions at National Treasury.

She has served on multiple boards, including South African National Parks, where she chaired the Audit Committee, and the Richard’s Bay Industrial Development Zone, where she was Chairperson.