ISSUE 48/DEC2022 - Flipbook - Page 80
Africa’s Most Influential Women | EVERYDAY HEROES
Bogolo
Kenewendo
BOTSWANA
PUBLIC SERVICE
Gender Equality Advocate |
Trade & Development Specialist
Bogolo Kenewendo is one of Africa’s most
recognisable faces. Between 2018 and 2020,
she was Botswana’s youngest Cabinet member
and served as Minister of Investment Trade and
Industry. Her appointment was media fodder
due to her young age in a continent where
youth, and women in particular are routinely
excluded from positions of power.
Fast-forward 2022, she has once again
attracted positive media attention following her
appointment in June, as the first Africa Director
for the UN Climate Change Champions.
In this new and timely role, Bogolo will play
a leading role in shaping and implementing
the Climate Champions’ plan for accelerating
ambition and action to drive forward change
and influence on the African continent.
“This will build on Kenewendo’s focus on PanAfrican development especially in sustainable
trade and investment and passion for
accelerating innovation across the continent,” a
statement on her appointment read. In response
she said:
“Fighting climate change is a global challenge
that requires authentic and inclusive regional
and local collaboration. I’m honoured to accept
the appointment…As once the youngest Cabinet
Minister in Africa and in Botswana’s history,
80 l
New African Woman
l Dec 2022
Photo by World Economic Forum/Greg Beadle
Africa Director & Special Advisor:
UN Climate Change Champions
I will also seize this opportunity to help elevate
the voices of young people and women in
particular, who are key to helping accelerate our
goal of halving emissions by 2030.”
According to Climate Champions, this role
will build on Bogolo’s focus on Pan-African
development especially in sustainable trade
and investment and passion for accelerating
innovation across the continent.
When she left her Ministerial post, Bogolo
created Kenewendo Advisory, a private
economic and development advisory services
company based in her home country.
In other areas, Bogolo is a member of the
United Nations Secretary General’s Common
Agenda project on the Gender Architecture of
the UN and the Group on Sustainable Financing,
G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council and a
WPL Special Envoy to the G7 & G20.
At just 34, the future looks even brighter for
this trailblazer.
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