Her Excellency Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD)
Her Excellency Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas is a visionary leader with nearly four decades of experience driving transformative development across Africa. As the Chief Executive Officer of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), she spearheads Africa’s strategic agenda for growth and sustainability, leading the continent’s charge toward Agenda 2063—a blueprint for a united, prosperous, and self-reliant Africa. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to unlocking Africa’s potential through high-impact initiatives that span infrastructure, energy, health, and gender empowerment.
At AUDA-NEPAD, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas commands a team of over 200 experts across diverse fields, coordinating the implementation of more than 50 transformative programs across the continent. These programs are designed to close infrastructure gaps, expand access to sustainable energy, strengthen health systems, and promote gender and youth empowerment. Her ability to mobilize resources and forge strategic partnerships has resulted in securing significant funding from new international donors, enabling the agency to roll out its ambitious development agenda.
In addition to providing technical assistance, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas plays a critical role in advising African presidents, orchestrating continental action, and measuring progress toward achieving the goals of Agenda 2063. Her leadership is pivotal in ensuring that Africa’s development efforts are inclusive, impactful, and aligned with the continent’s aspirations. She has also led AUDA-NEPAD’s successful advocacy for the African Union’s bid to become a permanent member of the G20, further enhancing Africa’s influence on the global stage.
Mrs. Bekele-Thomas has increased AUDA-NEPAD’s capacity to deliver by securing new funding streams and strengthening global partnerships, allowing the agency to address critical sectors like infrastructure, energy, health, biotechnology, and youth development. Under her leadership, AUDA-NEPAD has also prioritized programs that promote gender diversity and economic empowerment, placing women and youth at the center of Africa’s development narrative.
In health and biotechnology, she has championed efforts to make Africa more self-reliant by increasing the continent’s capacity to produce essential medical supplies, ensuring greater resilience in the face of global health crises. Her focus on infrastructure development and energy access has been vital in driving economic growth and improving livelihoods across the continent bringing it closer to the ‘Africa We Want’.
Her strategic vision extends beyond technical and operational matters; she is deeply committed to rallying nations and stakeholders to actively participate in Agenda 2063. By fostering multi-stakeholder participation and ensuring mutual accountability, she is driving accelerated implementation of Africa’s key development goals.
Influential Roles and Impact
Before joining AUDA-NEPAD, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas was a highly accomplished leader and in senior leadership roles within the United Nations (UN). As the UN Resident Coordinator and Head of the UN System in South Africa, she led efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, engaging governments and the private sector to drive policy reforms and ensure no one is left behind.
From 2008 to 2013, she served as UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya and Benin, where her leadership was instrumental in peacebuilding, constitutional reform, and fostering public-private partnerships. Her mediation efforts during Kenya’s 2007-2008 election violence brought together political, civil, and private sector actors to restore peace, earning her multiple peace awards.
As Senior Director in the UN Office of the Secretary-General, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas played a central role in managing the high-level functions of the Secretary-General’s office, where she oversaw critical global development initiatives. Her advisory roles in Ethiopia, Uganda, Comoros Islands, and India focused on governance reform, women’s empowerment, and private sector growth, showcasing her ability to navigate complex political environments and deliver impactful results.
Driving Advocacy and Partnerships
A strong advocate for women’s and youth empowerment, Mrs. Bekele-Thomas has ensured that these priorities remain central to AUDA-NEPAD’s agenda. She has worked tirelessly to create programs that cultivate leadership, entrepreneurship, and job creation for marginalized groups, further solidifying her reputation as a champion of inclusive development.
Her ability to forge strategic alliances with regional and global organizations, such as the African Business Roundtable and the Corporate Council on Africa, has strengthened Africa’s positioning in global trade and investment. Her leadership has been instrumental in securing public-private partnerships that have significantly contributed to Africa’s economic development.
Awards and Recognition
Her Excellency has earned widespread recognition for her contributions to Africa’s development. She is a member of the Group of African Eminent Women and has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the 2015 AU/DAF Women of Excellence Award, alongside former African heads of state, and the Living Legend Achiever’s Award for her leadership in sustainable human development.
Education and Languages
Mrs. Nardos Bekele-Thomas holds a Master’s degree from New York University (NYU) and is a respected author on development issues. Fluent in Amharic, French, and English, she leverages her multilingual abilities to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders across the continent and globally.
Her Excellency’s leadership at AUDA-NEPAD is marked by vision, action, and accountability, driving the continent toward a future where Africa’s development goals are realized, ensuring that it emerges as a prosperous, self-sustaining, and united global force.
