Thokozani Thwala

Thokozani is a progressive, yet seasoned economic development professional and business growth consultant with an eclectic background as an entrepreneur, insight speaker, and a perpetually optimistic big idea guy. He is always willing to challenge the business as usual, status quo approach to getting things done.

Thokozani has become a thought leader on best practices related to investment prospecting, business retention, and expansion, as well as advanced lead nurturing and engagement techniques. With an acclaimed ability to work with the highest levels of professional integrity, personal commitment, and passion for economic and business development, Thokozani is an experienced economic growth strategist with 24 years of experience working in consultancy, think-tanks, and government agencies across all major economic policy areas including small business development, trade & export development, inward investment, business retention & expansion, corporate social investment, and program impact evaluations.

With his clear and engaging presentations and speeches; and high informative writing style, Thokozani excels at influencing decision making with his analysis and insights, where clear and appropriate communication, often with high-level decision making, is required.

He’s passionate about bringing success to organizations and ensuring that his clients look to the future with a clear focus on what is required to achieve success. Thokozani’s non-traditional approach to economic development and business growth has led to speaking opportunities at more than 50 conferences and business events.

He is a non-executive director of the board of the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), a municipal-owned entity of the City of Tshwane, a non-executive director of the board of the Joburg Market, a municipal-owned entity of the City of Johannesburg.

He is currently the Technical Advisor (TA) for Regional Economic Development (RED) for the City of eThekwini and City of Cape Town as part of the National Treasury’s Cities Support Programme (CSP -2).

In 2013, he received a Master of Development Finance Degree from the Business School of Stellenbosch University in Cape Town.