Dr Kgathane Paulina Mamogobo
Dr Kgathane Paulina Mamogobo
Chief Economist, naamsa | The Automotive Business Council
Dr Kgathane Paulina Mamogobo is an economist, industrial strategist, and public policy leader with over 17 years of experience spanning government, development finance, investment promotion, economic diplomacy, and industry leadership. She currently serves as Chief Economist at naamsa | The Automotive Business Council, where she leads economic intelligence, policy advisory, strategic advocacy, and thought leadership for one of South Africa's most significant industrial sectors.
She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with distinction from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), University of Pretoria; a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) from the UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership; an M.Tech in Comparative Local Development; a B.Tech in Economic Management Analysis; and is a Member of the Institute of Directors South Africa (M.Inst.D). Her academic and professional qualifications are complemented by specialist training in investment promotion, trade facilitation, risk analysis, African political economy, and corporate governance.
Dr Mamogobo has built a distinguished career at the intersection of economic policy, industrial development, trade, investment, and institutional leadership. Her expertise spans automotive manufacturing, industrial policy, foreign direct investment, special economic zones, regional integration, economic competitiveness, and stakeholder engagement. Throughout her career, she has successfully bridged the worlds of policy formulation, investment mobilisation, and industry advocacy, shaping strategies that advance economic growth and industrial transformation.
Prior to joining naamsa, she served as Head of Investment Promotion and Facilitation at Dube Trade Port Corporation, Programme Development and Fund Specialist at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and held several senior leadership positions within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). During her tenure in government, she facilitated more than R40 billion in committed foreign direct investment across strategic manufacturing sectors and led South Africa's 2023 BRICS Summit Business Programme, one of the country's largest multilateral economic engagements.
Her experience extends across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, where she has led trade, investment, and economic diplomacy initiatives, developed industrial and investment strategies, and facilitated engagements between governments, multinational corporations, development finance institutions, and industry stakeholders. She is widely recognised for her ability to translate complex economic, regulatory, and geopolitical developments into actionable policy and investment strategies.
In addition to her executive responsibilities, Dr Mamogobo serves as a Member of the Ministerial Advisory Board to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, providing strategic guidance on South Africa's Special Economic Zones programme and broader industrial development agenda. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director of the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA) and Chairperson of its Projects and Investment Committee, contributing to governance, investment oversight, and economic development strategy.
A respected thought leader, Dr Mamogobo is a sought-after speaker, moderator, and panellist on issues relating to economic policy, industrialisation, trade, investment, competitiveness, and sustainable development. She regularly contributes to high-level policy dialogues involving government, business, academia, and international institutions, and has established herself as a trusted voice on South Africa's economic and industrial future.
Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades and recognitions, including being named among the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans, nomination as an RMB Africa Fearless Thinker, and selection as a Cities Leadership Forum Fellow.
Through her leadership across government, industry, and governance structures, Dr Mamogobo continues to advance policies, partnerships, and investments that strengthen industrial competitiveness, deepen economic inclusion, and contribute to South Africa's long-term economic transformation and sustainable growth."
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