Ms Elsie S. Kanza

Elsie S. Kanza is Head of Regional Agenda – Africa and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum.

Previously she served as Personal Assistant to H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania responsible for Economic Affairs from 2006 to 2011, as well as with the Ministry of Finance and central Bank of Tanzania from 1997 to 2006. Elsie holds a BSc (cum laude) in International Business Administration from the United States International University – Africa, an MSc in Finance from the University of Strathclyde, an MA in Development Economics from Williams College, and a Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa from the University of Strathclyde.

She was honoured as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2011 and was a Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow in 2008. She serves on a number of non-profit and advisory boards, including The Nature Conservancy and Mercy Corps Europe.