25 June

Dr. Mzukisi Qobo

Dr Mzukisi Qobo is a political risk analyst and strategic advisor on government policy and regulation. He has recently completed a field-based benchmark study on the role of the state in mining, covering 5 countries: Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Norway and South Africa, where he met leading decision makers in government and business.

He was previously chief director at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), where he led a team that drafted South Africa's current trade policy and strategy framework, and approved by Cabinet in July 2010. He has also fulfilled roles as head of Emerging Powers and Global Challenges programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) where he directed research and provided strategic advice on the involvement of BRIC countries in Africa.

He teaches International Political Economy at the University of Pretoria; is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Politics and Research; and a Business Day columnist. He received his PhD from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom; MA from the University of Stellenbosch; and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cape Town.