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Experts

Organisational Development Specialist

Ons Mhimdi
Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Specialist

Rania Mezzati
Geopolitical and Security Analyst

Gabrielle Reid
International Relations Lecturer

Dr. Mopeli Moshoeshoe
Sudanese Diplomat and UN Disarmament Fellow

Aldaw Abdalla Grdood
Moroccan Researcher and Political Analyst

Osama El-Mourabit
Monitoring and Evaluation Expert in Development Programmes

Bevis Kapaso
Specialist in Development Strategy and Humanitarian Affairs

Dr. Mahmoud Waleed Al-Najjar
Specialist in Environmental Law and Climate Governance

Zahra Omar
Specialist in Social Impact and Stakeholder Engagement

Owona Madlingozi
Mineral resource governance researcher

Busisipho Siyobi
Global Security and Illicit Economies Analyst

Rob Attwell
Expert in Political Economy and Public Sector Governance

Prof. Katabaro Novatus Miti
Organisational Development Specialist

Ons Mhimdi

Areas of expertise

  • Organisational management
  • Strategic advisory
  • Capacity building for CSOs and SMEs
  • Programme design, implementation, and evaluation
  • Operational, financial, and strategic frameworks

Ons Mhimdi is an expert in organisational management, strategic advisory, and capacity building for civil society organisations (CSOs) and SMEs. She has a decade of experience in programme design, implementation, and evaluation, supporting CSOs and international organisations in strengthening their operational, financial, and strategic frameworks. In 2023, she founded Indie Management Solutions, a consulting firm with offices in Tunisia and operations across Africa, dedicated to fostering a sustainable ecosystem where CSOs and SMEs can thrive. Ons holds a Master’s degree in Accounting, Audit, and Control, as well as an MSc in Management and Strategic Decisions.

Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Specialist

Rania Mezzati

Areas of expertise

  • Governance
  • Legislative processes
  • Constitutional law
  • Policy analysis
  • Research and advocacy
  • Youth participation in decision-making
  • Parliamentary Affairs

Rania Mezzati is a public policy expert with a focus on governance, legislative processes, and constitutional law. She has extensive experience in policy analysis, research, and advocacy, particularly in strengthening youth participation in decision-making. As President of Hope Makers, she leads initiatives to promote dialogue and civic engagement. She has also worked in parliamentary affairs and university teaching, providing expertise on legal frameworks and institutional governance. Rania holds a Master’s degree in Constitutional Law, underpinning her strategic approach to policymaking and institutional reform.

Geopolitical and Security Analyst

Gabrielle Reid

Areas of expertise

  • Security Risk Management
  • Intelligence-Driven Risk Solutions
  • Political Risk Management
  • Advisory Services
  • ESG Investing

Gabrielle Reid has close to 15 years in the security risk management industry, specialising in intelligence-driven risk solutions to navigating political and security risks. Gabrielle has guided organisations across Africa and the Middle East through complex challenges. Gabrielle currently serves as Head of Advisory at Pangea-Risk and Head of Insights at Multipolitan and is engaged in a number of independent consulting projects. Gabrielle holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Politics and Psychology, an Honours degree in Justice and Transformation (Conflict Resolution), a Master’s in International Relations focusing on East African terrorism, and a Certificate in ESG Investing.

International Relations Lecturer

Dr. Mopeli Moshoeshoe

Areas of expertise

  • International Relations
  • International Trade
  • Southern African Development Community (SADC)
  • International Political Economy
  • Regional Integration

Dr. Mopeli Moshoeshoe is a distinguished scholar in International Relations, serving as a faculty member at the University of the Witwatersrand. His academic focus encompasses international trade, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the international political economy. Dr. Moshoeshoe is known for his insightful contributions to these fields, providing valuable perspectives on regional integration and economic policies in Southern Africa.

Sudanese Diplomat and UN Disarmament Fellow

Aldaw Abdalla Grdood

Areas of expertise

  • Peace and Security
  • Disarmament
  • Regional Stability
  • Youth Engagement in Peace Processes
  • Strategic Planning

Aldaw Abdalla Grdood is a seasoned diplomat and a UN Disarmament Fellow, dedicated to advancing peace and security. He serves as a member of the IGAD Youth Council for Peace, promoting regional stability through youth engagement. With a Master’s in State Strategic Planning from the Institute of Strategic Studies and International Relations, and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Al Neelain University, Sudan, Aldaw combines academic expertise with practical experience to foster development and conflict resolution.

Moroccan Researcher and Political Analyst

Osama El-Mourabit

Areas of expertise

  • North African Geopolitics
  • EU-Mediterranean Cooperation
  • Soft Power Dynamics
  • Regional Geopolitical Rivalries
  • Identity Politics

Osama El-Mourabit is the Executive Director of the Southern Strategies Institute and a Research Fellow at Al-Sharq Forum. Holding a Master of Arts in International Relations from Humboldt University of Berlin, he brings extensive expertise in North African geopolitics, EU-Mediterranean cooperation, and soft power dynamics. Osama has worked with prominent institutions like the Policy Center for the New South and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, contributing valuable insights into regional geopolitical rivalries and identity politics.

Monitoring and Evaluation Expert in Development Programmes

Bevis Kapaso

Areas of expertise

  • Governance Frameworks
  • Accountability Frameworks
  • Strategic Programme Planning
  • Sustainable Development Initiatives
  • Programme Accountability

Bevis Kapaso is a seasoned development practitioner specialising in international monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and programme accountability. With extensive experience at organisations such as Restless Development, World Vision, and ActionAid, Bevis has a strong track record in advancing effective governance and accountability frameworks across Africa. He currently consults on M&E systems and strategic programme planning, contributing to impactful and sustainable development initiatives across the continent.

Specialist in Development Strategy and Humanitarian Affairs

Dr. Mahmoud Waleed Al-Najjar

Areas of expertise

  • Humanitarian Project Management
  • NGO Capacity Building
  • Conflict and Security Analysis
  • Strategic Development Planning
  • Media and Political Communication

Dr. Mahmoud Waleed Al-Najjar is a development project consultant and international researcher, specialising in humanitarian project management, NGO capacity building, and strategic development. He leads the Baghdad Vision Centre for Media Development and Studies and has extensive experience in political, economic, and security analysis. Since 2020, he has served as a consulting researcher at Chatham House. He has also worked as an international journalist with outlets such as USA Today, The Washington Times, and TRT Arabic. Dr. Al-Najjar holds a PhD in Strategic Management from UNITEN University in Malaysia and has led training programmes on human rights, democracy, and conflict resolution in collaboration with academic institutions and international organisations, including Mercy Corps, UNAMO, and Oxfam.

Specialist in Environmental Law and Climate Governance

Zahra Omar

Areas of expertise

  • Environmental and Climate Governance
  • Corporate Accountability
  • Strategic Litigation
  • Regulatory and Legal Advocacy
  • Human Rights and Sustainability

Zahra Omar is a legal expert specialising in environmental law, climate governance, and sustainable development. Her work focuses on the intersection of energy, climate change, human rights, and corporate accountability. She has collaborated with local and international civil society organisations to challenge unsustainable policies and practices within corporates and financial institutions. Zahra’s expertise spans legal advocacy, regulatory analysis, and strategic litigation aimed at advancing environmental and social justice. She holds a Master of Laws degree specialising in Human Rights Law from the University of Cape Town.

Specialist in Social Impact and Stakeholder Engagement

Owona Madlingozi

Areas of expertise

  • Social Investment Strategy
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Community Development Programmes
  • Risk Monitoring and Compliance
  • Public Participation and Governance

Owona Madlingozi is an expert in social impact strategies, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory compliance. She has extensive experience in managing social investment programmes, risk monitoring, and fostering multi-sector partnerships. At Astron Energy Development Fund, she oversees community projects and partner organisations, ensuring effective development initiatives. She previously worked in stakeholder engagement at the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, leading public participation efforts in the legislative sector. She also has experience as a regulatory compliance and risk monitoring analyst for sub-Saharan Africa. Owona’s expertise lies in coordinating high-level stakeholder relations and driving impactful, community-focused initiatives.

Mineral resource governance researcher

Busisipho Siyobi

Areas of expertise

  • Extractive Sector Governance
  • Climate Change Policy
  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Integration
  • Regulatory Compliance and Risk Monitoring
  • Transparency and Accountability in Natural Resources

Busisipho Siyobi is a public policy researcher specialising in mineral resource governance and its intersection with climate change in Southern Africa. At Good Governance Africa, she leads the research strategy on extractive governance and climate response, coordinating work with civil society, industry, and international partners to promote sustainability, transparency, and accountability. Her previous work includes leading the Corporate Intelligence Monitor Desk at S-RM Intelligence and Risk Consulting, focusing on regulatory compliance and risk oversight. Busisipho is a former Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and SAIIA Research Scholar and holds an MPhil in Public Policy from the University of Cape Town.

Global Security and Illicit Economies Analyst

Rob Attwell

Areas of expertise

  • Transnational Organised Crime
  • Corruption and Illicit Finance
  • Political Economy of Crime
  • Corporate Accountability
  • Governance and Security Intersections

Rob Attwell is a UK-based analyst and researcher specialising in global security, transnational organised crime, and corruption. His work focuses on the intersection of governance, illicit networks, and the private sector, examining how systemic corruption and criminal economies shape political and institutional outcomes. With academic foundations in History and International Relations, Rob brings a multidisciplinary perspective to understanding evolving global security threats and the mechanics of illicit finance.

Expert in Political Economy and Public Sector Governance

Prof. Katabaro Novatus Miti

Areas of expertise

  • Political Economy of Development
  • Public Administration and Governance
  • African Higher Education and Policy
  • Comparative Politics
  • Strategic and Institutional Reform

Prof. Katabaro Miti is a distinguished scholar in political economy and governance, with over four decades of academic and research experience across leading universities in Africa, Europe, North America, and Australia. He has held senior academic positions at institutions including the University of Dar es Salaam, University of Botswana, University of Pretoria, and the International University of Management in Namibia. Prof. Miti’s work spans public administration, comparative politics, and development policy, with a particular focus on African governance systems and institutional transformation. He has served as Visiting Professor or Scholar at the University of Michigan, the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, and the Australian National University, among others. He holds a PhD in Political Economy from the University of Toronto, an MA in Political Science from the University of Dar es Salaam, and a BPh (Summa Cum Laude) from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.

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