“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.” — Audre Lorde

Nozipho Hlophe

Category

Civil Society
 

Organisation / Company

UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa

 

Position

Regional analyst

 

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Profile

Born in Diepkloof and raised in Witpoortjie, Nozipho Hlophe’s early life was shaped by contrasting environments. This journey across geographies fuelled an awareness of South Africa’s socioeconomic divides and a commitment to building systems that create fairer, more inclusive futures. Nozipho, 30, is a regional analyst at the United Nations Development Programme’s Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa. There, she sup- ports the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a focus on empowering micro, small and medium enterprises, especially those led by youth and women. Her work spans policy design, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and programme coordination across the continent. Nozipho holds dual master’s degrees in economics and international political economy and development from Fordham University in New York. She also earned an honours and BCom in econometrics from the University of Pretoria. Among her milestones is co-leading the YouthConnekt AfCFTA Export Accelerator, which supports more than 80 youth-led businesses annually. She also collaborated with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to address revenue leakage at Eskom.

 

Qualifications

  • Master of Arts in Economics, Fordham University, New York
  • Master of Arts in International Political Economy and Development – focus: international banking and finance, Fordham University, New York
  • Bachelor of commerce (honours) in econometrics, University of Pretoria
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Econometrics, majoring in Mathematical Statistics and Economics, University of Pretoria
  • Awards: South African Exchange Fellow Scholarship; Campion Prestigious Fellowship (Philippines); Waterfront Scholar (New York); United Nations Associations of New York Fellow Summer Scholar (2023)

Achievements

  • Co-designed and implemented the YouthConnekt AfCFTA Export Accelerator Programme, supporting more than 80 youth-led businesses annually across Africa in accessing continental markets. This initiative reinforced the transformative potential of youth entrepreneurship and the need for tailored support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
  • Contributed to the Regional Supplier Development Programme (SDP), which integrates local MSMEs into regional value chains by improving competitiveness and expanding market access — a critical lever for inclusive growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
  • Early career research into South Africa’s energy sector led to a collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), focused on developing innovative strategies to address revenue leakage at Eskom. 

Mentors

I admire women who lead with resilience, conviction and purpose, particularly those who have defied structural barriers to make space for others. The late Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela-Mandela’s relentless spirit and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire me. Her courage in the face of adversity reminds me that leadership is not about titles, but about standing firm in service of others — even when the cost is high. I also deeply admire my mother, whose unwavering work ethic and strength taught me that impact often begins in small, consistent acts of care and responsibility. Her example instilled in me the values of discipline, empathy and perseverance. Along my journey, I have had mentors — from supervisors to peers and lecturers — who recognised and nurtured my potential. Their support helped me grow personally and professionally, offering insights into navigating complex environments while staying true to my values. They showed me that leadership is about asking the right questions, making space for others and committing to lifelong learning.