Nhlanhla Nene: Economist

Nhlanhla Nene

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Nhlanhla Nene served as Finance Minister under both President Jacob Zuma and President Cyril Ramaphosa, offering unparalleled insights into the country’s economic policies.
  • With years of experience managing South Africa’s fiscal policy, Nene is a leading voice on the country’s economic direction, public sector reform, and macroeconomic trends.
  • Nene has been an influential figure not just domestically but also on the international stage, working with global institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
  • He successfully managed the country’s economic policies during politically challenging periods, making him a trusted expert in economic governance and financial crisis management.

Formats:

Audience:

Outcomes:
Reviews: (0 reviews)
  • Travels from: Johannesburg

Talent Services

Talent Short Bio

Nhlanhla Nene served as the Minister of Finance of South Africa under President Jacob Zuma from 25 May 2014 until his controversial removal on 9 December 2015, and under President Cyril Ramaphosa from 27 February 2018 until his resignation on 9 October 2018

He had been a Member of Parliament since 1999. He was appointed into his position in November 2008 and he was re-appointed on 11 May 2009. He holds a B.Com Honours degree in Economics from the University of Western Cape (UWC). He worked as a Regional Administrative Manager for the Metropolitan Life Insurance for 15 years.

He became a Labour union shop steward and led a negotiating Team for better working conditions during the period 1990 to 1995 and he organised the first ever strike in the financial sector.

As South Africa’s former Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene steered the country through turbulent economic waters, advocating for prudent fiscal management and austerity measures amidst growing public expenditure demands. His experience at the helm of the National Treasury, South Africa’s economic nerve center, saw him navigate both domestic and international financial crises, ensuring stability during volatile times.

Nene’s removal in 2015 shook investor confidence and created a ripple effect across the markets, underscoring the critical role he played in safeguarding the country’s economy. His reappointment in 2018, albeit brief, further cemented his expertise in navigating South Africa’s economic complexities. During his tenure, Nene worked on implementing vital reforms that focused on sustainable fiscal policies, boosting investor confidence, and managing the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that had been a drain on the nation’s finances.

Additionally, Nene held various roles before becoming Minister of Finance, including serving as Deputy Finance Minister and chairing Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Finance. His extensive experience in public finance, policy implementation, and economic strategy has given him unparalleled insights into South Africa’s economic strengths and challenges.

Nhlanhla Nene’s expertise is rooted in his thorough understanding of macroeconomic trends and fiscal policy. A seasoned economist, Nene holds a degree in economics and has received extensive training in finance and economic management. His deep knowledge of South Africa’s economic structures, fiscal policies, and international trade relations make him a foremost authority on the subject.

His expertise in managing the country’s budget, directing government expenditure, and implementing financial reforms underscores his adeptness in economic governance. He has frequently written about these topics, contributing to leading media platforms such as Business Day and Mail & Guardian. You can explore some of his contributions here and here. He has also appeared on notable podcasts, offering his perspective on economic recovery, global trade, and the future of Africa’s fiscal landscape. Listen to his insights on BizNews Radio here and SAfm here.

Nhlanhla Nene’s extensive experience working with international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, further solidifies his expertise. His leadership in steering fiscal policies during moments of political uncertainty and economic strain has earned him widespread recognition as a leading expert on South Africa’s economic future.

Nhlanhla Nene’s authority as a keynote speaker on South Africa’s economic outlook is unequivocal. Having served at the highest levels of government and with an intricate understanding of both national and global economies, Nene’s authority stems from his hands-on experience in shaping economic policy. His tenure as Finance Minister gave him a front-row seat to South Africa’s economic challenges, and his strategic decisions still influence fiscal policy today.

Nhlanhla Nene’s career as South Africa’s former Finance Minister, combined with his deep understanding of fiscal policies and economic strategy, positions him as one of the most influential voices on South Africa’s economy today. His vast experience in public finance, commitment to ethical governance, and expertise in macroeconomic trends make him a top choice for keynote engagements on the subject of economic outlook.

Event planners seeking a keynote speaker with the gravitas, authority, and experience to engage and inform their audience will find Nene to be an exceptional choice.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Facebook

Nhlanhla Nene | Economist

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speakers Contact

Speaker Enquiry Form

Client Reviews

Talent Resources

View further speakers

Sizakele-Marutlulle-logo

Sizakele Marutlulle, founder and CEO of a pan-African strategy and advisory firm, is a powerful voice in reimagining business through a human-centered lens. She champions Humancentric Creatives, a pioneering approach that places people, not just profit, at the heart of organizational success. Sizakele’s advisory work guides leaders across the continent to design inclusive futures, build […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Creative Leadership
Amanda_3

Amanda Dambuza is the Chief Executive of Uyandiswa; a project management consulting firm she founded six years ago. Previously, she was the Financial Services Director of the JSE listed software organisation, Adapt IT. Adapt IT owned 49% of Uyandiswa, a deal concluded in October 2014. Effective as of the 1st of July 2017, Amanda concluded another […]

  • Johannesburg
  • African Leadership

Dr. Roze Phillips is an African futurist dedicated to unleashing the abundance of Africa to the world. She is the founder of Abundance@Work and speaks and consults regularly on topics related to the Future of Work and the Workforce of the Future. Roze does a radio show on Cape Talk radio about Future trends and […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Futurist Speaker

Over the past 3 years, Kali Ilunga has worked with 150 start-ups. As co-founder of Silicon Valley in Your Pocket, he has bridged entrepreneurs with a network of 300+ angel investors once they were investor-ready. As co-founder of Viable, he has assembled 50 world-class coaches from companies such as Netflix, Google, and Square, as well […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Digital Speaker
Mervyn George-Profile-Pic

Mervyn George is a seasoned technology executive, governance professional, corporate innovation strategist, exponential thinker and coach to scale-up businesses. Mervyn’s work experience spans 20+ years, clients in 54 countries and long-term projects in South Africa, the UK, US, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and China. He has served as a C-Suite advisor in many industry sectors, including […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Innovation Strategist
Nobukhosi Dlamini Cover-1

Nobukhosi Dlamini is an influential figure in the technology sector, specializing in innovation, data protection, enterprise information management, cybersecurity, corporate IT, and agile transformation. Her expertise spans over two decades, during which she has become a recognized leader in driving digital transformation and cybersecurity across global organizations. As a sought-after speaker and advocate for inclusive […]

  • Cape Town, WC
  • Cybersecurity Speaker

Nambitha Mpumlwana wears many hats – businesswoman, humanitarian, philanthropist, charity patron and many more. She is an inspirational, dynamic woman whose talent has touched many people. Apart from her stardom and entrepreneurship, Nambitha Mpumlwana is an inspirational, dynamic, deeply spiritual and down-to-earth individual. Nambitha’s TV career Award-winning Yizo-Yizo I & II; Interrogation Room I & […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Inspirational Speaker
Dimpho Lekgeu event emcee

Dimpho Lekgeu is a passionate communicator and changemaker committed to social justice and driving positive impact through powerful storytelling. She uses her platforms to spark conversations that inspire action, bridge diverse perspectives, and address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today. Dimpho’s career began in community radio, where she discovered the transformative potential […]

  • Johannesburg
  • Emporwement Strategist
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

Newsletter Signup

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Speakers Inc Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

We promise to not spam you!

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

speakers inc
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.