Published

May 13, 2021

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-South Africa Business Council (US-SABC) named Nyimpini Mabunda, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Africa for General Electric (GE), as its new chair.

“We are honored to have the leadership of Nyimpini Mabunda as our Council Board Chair at the helm of a company like GE whose investment in South Africa typifies the ways in which the U.S. business community supports South Africa’s economic growth priorities,” said Scott Eisner, U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President and President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center.

“As the United States and South Africa are focused on boosting economic recovery and expanding the bilateral relationship, the private sector is an essential partner in generating sustainable and inclusive growth efforts and the U.S.-South Africa Business Council is poised to play a critical role in supporting these priorities.”

Mabunda serves as President for GE Southern Africa, the company’s first overseas office outside the United States, representing more than 120 years on the African continent. He partners with countries in the region to ensure that GE’s regional businesses across power, healthcare, aviation and renewable energy, are aligned to the local development goals, as well as an emphasis on the company’s broad-based Black economic empowerment roadmap and skills development in South Africa.

“It’s an honor to contribute my expertise, dedication and leadership to the work of the U.S.-South Business Council and create value and expand opportunity for the citizens of South Africa and the United States through a vibrant, innovative, and growing trade and investment relationship. I’m pleased to lend my expertise and affinity for both countries to support stronger business ties,” said Mabunda.

As Chair, Mabunda will guide the Council in its work to facilitate stronger commercial ties between South Africa and the United States, two countries that already enjoy a vibrant partnership. Throughout 2021, the Council will prioritize opportunities to accelerate economic recovery through a focus on supporting inclusive growth in two-way trade and investment, the digital economy, sustainable and renewable energy, as well as strengthening health systems, the business environment and workforce development.

He is joined by Zwelethu Bashman, Managing Director for South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa of MSD, who serves as Vice-Chair. Mabunda and Bashman assumed their leadership roles during the first US-SABC board meeting of 2021.

About the U.S.-South Africa Business Council

Founded in 2012, the U.S.-South Africa Business Council and its members work with respective public and private sectors, partners and other key stakeholders to foster a robust economic relationship between the U.S. and South Africa to expand trade and investment, create jobs, growth and prosperity in both countries.

The US-SABC is the premier Washington-based business organization dedicated to the economic relationship between the United States and South Africa. The Council represents America’s leading companies doing business with South Africa and in the Southern Africa region, and it is comprised of senior executives of U.S. companies from every sector investing in South Africa.