Our Leadership team
The Afris Group’s leadership team has unparalleled experience and knowledge of the African business and investment climate, with strong relationships across international, regional, and national funding institutions.
Dr. Mandla SV Gantsho
Founding Principal & Chairman
An expert in infrastructure development finance, with extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of Africa’s business climate. His presidential appointments include roles on the Finance & Fiscal Commission, the Commission of Enquiry into the Rand’s depreciation, the board of the South African Reserve Bank, and leading a state-visit
business delegation to India.
He brings deep executive and non-executive experience, having served as Board Chairman of listed corporates including Sasol Limited, Impala Platinum Holdings Limited, and Kumba Limited. Prior to that, he was Vice
President of the African Development Bank, and CFO & CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
CA (SA) · PhD & MPhil, University of Pretoria · MSc, George Washington University · BCom (Hons) & CTA, University of Cape Town
Mr. Paul Dan Mojalefa
Deal Originator
A seasoned deal originator with more than 20 years’ experience in financial modelling, project finance, public-private partnerships, debt capital markets, telecoms finance, and investment — including capital raising for hydroelectric power projects in Zambia and Malawi, and a cement project in Malawi. Previously with Huawei Technologies and Standard Bank, leading project finance teams on projects including the Gautrain PPP.
BCom, Management Sciences, University of Pretoria · Honours, Econometrics, University of Pretoria
Dr. Monwabisi SM Gantsho
Non-Executive Director
A qualified medical doctor with more than 20 years of senior management experience across private and public healthcare, including regulatory, compliance, and enforcement functions, and global economic research.
Qualified Medical Doctor · MPhil (PPE), Nelson Mandela University · MBChB, University of Natal · Postgraduate Fellow, UCT Graduate School of Business with Duke University · INSEAD Leadership Development Programme alumnus
Dr. Karen Gantsho
Social Investment Lead
Leads the Group’s social investment activities and mobilises co-investment partnerships — including the Afris Empowerment Trust’s collaboration with the Karen Gantsho Foundation to provide community relief during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BA, Communication, Bond University · MA, Marketing Communication, University of Johannesburg · PhD, Entrepreneurship, University of Pretoria