Elsie Kanza, a seasoned Tanzanian economist in the World Economic Forum

Elsie Kanza is a Tanzanian economist with a brilliant career. She has been a special advisor to the president of the World Economic Forum since January 2021 and is one of the 50 most powerful women in Africa, according to the Forbes Africa 2020 ranking.

Elsie Kanza is a Tanzanian economist who sits on one of the largest international economic institutions, the World Economic Forum. Having worked successively in the Ministry of Finance, the Tanzanian Central Bank, as an advisor to the President, and recently as Tanzania’s ambassador, this Tanzanian economist has a rich and inspiring career.

Originally from Tanzania, she was born and raised in Kenya. She studied there before moving to the United States of America where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the US-Africa International University. She later obtained a Master’s degree in Finance from the University of Strathclyde in the UK, a Master’s degree in Development Economics from the Centre for Development Economics at Williams College, USA and a Doctorate in Business Administration honoris causa from the University of Strathclyde.

She started her career in 1997 at the Bank of Tanzania as a financial market analyst and real estate trader. In 2002, she became Personal Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of the Tanzanian Ministry of Finance and Senior Financial Policy Analyst. For over 5 years, from 2006 to 2011, she advised the Tanzanian President on economic issues.

In 2011, she joined the World Economic Forum as Regional Director – Africa. From 2014 to 2020, she was appointed Africa Director and member of the Executive Committee, Senior Director. She was in charge of the World Economic Forum’s strategy for Africa and promoted regional multi-stakeholder initiatives such as “Grow Africa” and the “Responsible Mineral Development Initiative”, in partnership with regional organisations aiming to accelerate Africa’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Since January 2021, she has been a special advisor to the President of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Last May, the President of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, appointed her as one of 22 ambassadors.

Because of her background, she was nominated in 2008 for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow. In 2011, she was honoured by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. In 2014, Jeune Afrique named her one of the 50 influential Africans in the world. In 2020, Forbes Africa named her one of the 50 most powerful women in the world.