Carolyn Ndawula

SENIOR ADVISOR - DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS, INVESTMENTS, AND POLICY , International Development Bank

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Over 20+ years of driving macroeconomic policy reforms, mobilizing finance for pro-poor investments, and shaping development strategies. Mobilized over $1.2B, unlocking $100M+ in private investment in Africa. Skilled in high-level partnerships with governments, and MDB’s. Adept at leading multi-functional talent. Fluent in English, with understanding of Sub-Saharan Africa’s political economy.

Contact Carolyn Ndawula
Area of Expertise:
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
  • Director, CEO, COP, President
  • Government, Governance, Reforms
  • Private Sector, Social Enterprise, Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

A Professional with over 20 years of shaping national, regional, and institutional policies, strategies, and programs for the advancement of growth and development with a major focus on the Private Sector. As a Leader, I prioritized value-for-money interventions in the face of tough decision-making and proven ability to move from the design of a policy or strategy to visible impact. I actively led the development of strategic partnerships (some across difficult terrains) with the goal of creating cross border and regional cooperation aiming to improve trade, investments, and political economy relations that open up markets for greater opportunities. I developed credibility with boards, governments, investors, and regulators through leading initiatives aimed at enhancing the business climate across the Middle East and Africa. Resource Mobilization & Financial Stewardship are also critical skills I acquired through managing large financial flows and capital mobilization for the development initiatives I led in Africa. For example, an investment of $4Million made in one of the governments I supported unlocked investment potential across various sectors worth $100Million.

Education:

University of Cambridge
Business Sustainability,
Leadership, & Management
(Certificate)
2024
University of Manchester
MSc., Development Economics
2004
(Masters Degree)
Makerere University
B.A. Social Sciences
1998
(Bachelor's Degree)

Affiliations and Achievements:

As a Passion, I have chosen to do Professional Coaching, Mentorship, and Training of Teams to improve their abilities to work together and advance a common goal embracing their diversity and talents. This is something I have also pursued in the organisations I worked with previously.

I am also keen about supporting women-led/owned businesses to thrive and grow. I have been actively involved in engaging Business Owners and Managers to ascertain their growth challenges and together with their teams explore opportunities for growth and development to translate into programs or projects. I have also directly supported business start-ups and facilitated the scaling of existing micro and small enterprises mainly in East, Horn, and Southern Africa.

I am also an ardent advocate for inclusion of the under-served communities and populations, which passion has formed a great part of my career journey, and also influenced where I choose to work. I have had the opportunity to closely engage with marginalized populations (women, youth, and forcibly displaced persons) to fully comprehend their challenges as well as dreams/aspirations related to improvement of their wellbeing and Livelihoods.

Evidence-based initiatives and interventions in any development related space tend to record better and more tangible results. It is in this regard that I picked interest in generating evidences to back many development initiatives and business ideas that I have supported over the twenty years. I believe in market-driven investments whose demand is ascertained through collating data, facts, and figures. The interest in evidence-generated projects has also led me to focus on Evaluation as a skill because assessing performance will establish if indeed the desired outcomes and impact have been achieved, and if the beneficiaries can attest to the results.

All the above have since become skills that I have acquired through my passion for Development and Private Sector Led economic growth.

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities

Years of Experience:

More than 20 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Swahili

Nationality:

Uganda