Elsie S. Kanza is a Tanzanian economist who is Special Adviser to the President of the World Economic Forum (WEF). As the head of the WEF’s regional agenda on Africa and member of the Executive Committee, since 2011 she has led numerous public-private collaboration initiatives to solve complex systemic challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and African Union Agenda 2063. From 2006 to 2011, Kanza served as economic advisor to the President of Tanzania. Between 1997 and 2006, she worked in Tanzania’s finance ministry and its central bank.
Currently a Richard von Weizsacker Fellow, Kanza has been recognized for her achievements in advancing economic development. In 2008, she became an Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow, and in 2011 a WEF Young Global Leader. In 2020, the magazine Forbes Africa listed her as one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women. She has served on various boards, including those of the African Leadership Institute - South Africa, Mercy Corps Europe, The Nature Conservancy Africa Council, and the Uongozi Institute.
In 2015, Kanza was awarded a Doctorate of Business Administration (honors causa) from the University of Strathclyde for her role in driving transformative impact in Africa. She also holds a MA in Development Economics from the Center for Development Economics – Williams College; a MSc in Finance from the University of Strathclyde; and a BSc (cum laude) in International Business Administration from the United States International University - Africa.
With COVID-19 speeding up job disruption in Africa, governments and businesses must come together to embrace digital transformation and put people back to work.
COVID-19 has shifted the cultural context: suddenly previous obstacles to change are surmountable as bigger ones are overcome, and an ethos of urgent action takes hold.
C'est trop demander aux femmes dirigeantes de se conformer. Nous devons stimuler la croissance des femmes chefs d'entreprise.
It’s too much to ask women leaders to conform to the status quo. We must boost the growth of women business leaders.
Africa must end violence toward women now. It can only do this through systemic change that lifts women up and recognises their equal role in society, writes the World Economic Forum's he...
The ultimate goal of investment is to create jobs and a more prosperous society, writes the World Economic Forum's Elsie Kanza.
Forty-eight percent of South Africans between the ages of 15 and 34 are unemployed. Closing the digital divide is an essential step to helping them find jobs.
In the face of global and regional uncertainty, how should leaders across the continent create jobs and end inequality?
Only 40% of Africans have a reliable energy supply, and just 20% have internet access. But the coming digital revolution will transform the continent.
The one thing I love most about my job is the countless brilliant, inspirational people I invariably get to meet when I am in Africa. As you can imagine, they are a diverse bunch: the Rwa...
Women entrepreneurs will help Africa master the Fourth Industrial Revolution. So if you're one of them, we want to hear from you.
For all the opportunities offered by the new digital economy, women and girls are already lagging behind. We can and should change that.
