AFRIDATA TEAM
DR. YAKUBU A. YAKUBU
(Ph.D., MSc, MA, PGP-DSBA, CMEPM)
Yakubu A. Yakubu is an Economist, Applied Statistician and Data Scientist, with interests in Macroeconomics and Finance, Econometrics and Statistical modeling, Debt Sustainability, Macro-prudential Policies and Financial Stability. Yakubu holds a PhD from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town South Africa, MSc in Statistical Sciences from University of the Western Cape in Cape Town South Africa, MA in Economic Policy Management from the University of Ghana (UG) Legon, PGP in Data Science and Business Analytics (with Distinction /Cum Laude) from University of Texas (UT) USA, BCom in Economics and Mathematical Statistics (Fort Hare University) in Alice South Africa, and Diploma in Statistics from the University of Ghana (UG) Legon. He also has many certificates including CMEPM (with Distinction/Cum Laude) from Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Yakubu is the Founder of Africa DATA Reporting and Training Institute (AfriDATA Reporting Solutions Pty incorporated in South Africa in 2013 and in Ghana in 2021). Currently, he is the Executive Director, Chief Researcher and Senior Economist in same firm. The Institute has a strong team of top-notch professionals and academics who are consultants in their respective fields in both qualitative and quantitative studies. As a researcher, Yakubu has published extensively in several international reputable journals including International Journal of Social Economics under Emerald. He has also presented papers in both local international conferences including the International Statistical Institute (ISI). As part of his contribution to the community, Yakubu was the Treasurer for the Population Association of Southern Africa (PASA) from 2011-12. He is the first recipient of PASA Best Poster Award (2009). Currently, he is also a Visiting Research Fellow to the Central University of Technology in South Africa where he co-supervises Doctoral students in Entrepreneurship and Management Sciences. His works produced over ten (10) peer-reviewed papers in reputable international journals. He also received scholarships including the Stats SA Postgraduate Bursary for MSc, and CPUT URF for PhD research.
As part of his research and academic experience journey, Yakubu was a Researcher after a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, and an Economics Lecturer at the Graduate Centre for Management (GCM) from 05/2020 – 06/2023 at the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Cape Town South Africa. He chaired the Research Committee at GCM, and mentored students in both research and economics. Yakubu was actively involved in writing the department’s grants applications and worked on the South Africa’s Bank SETA funded Project. Prior to this, Yakubu was an Ag. Head of Biostatistics Department in the University of Health Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana.
Dr Yakubu’s works focus on Economics, Statistics, Development, Environment, Health, Impact Evaluation and Entrepreneurship. He provides technical support and consulting services to individuals and organizations on mainstreaming the Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) into development planning.
Working as an Ag. Director of Research and M&E at the Northern Development Authority, Yakubu led the activities in the directorate of research, monitoring and evaluation. His tasks among others, involved leading the M&E team including the consultants in the design of the M&E Framework and its implementation. Yakubu was also active in the development coordination role in the Zone and in the supervision that recouped over GHc 5 million (USD 1.2M) in 2014/15 from investments in agricultural and housing projects. Last but not the least; Yakubu was actively involved in the UNDP technical working activities for the compilation of the Savannah Zone’s Human Development Report in 2016.
At the South African National Office of Statistics (Stats SA), where Yakubu was a Senior Survey Statistician, he served as a Provincial/Regional Survey Statistician and worked in the following capacities: Data Analyst for Census 2011, Field Officer for Labour Force Survey (QLFS), Ag. Information services officer for Stakeholder relations/User requests, Ag. Coordinator for Human Capacity Development, where he coordinated all trainings for staff development in the province, Member of Technical and/or organising committees on statistical development including Young African Statisticians Summit (YASC), Africa Symposia on Statistical Development (ASSD), and the International Statistical Institute (ISI2009).
Yakubu is a self-motivated, creative and critical thinking individual with good interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills, and demonstrated leadership skills. Yakubu is flexible, an achiever of goals. He is able to work well in a multi-cultural environment appreciating diversity and respect for gender, and he has considerable information management and extensive analytical skills transferrable to numerous fields of endeavours. He adapts quickly to the flow of new information and ideas in a multi-disciplinary environment with substantial work and management experience in Research, Economic and Statistical Development in Africa.
Dr Yakubu’s current project is on Green Innovation, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Economic Growth and Monetary Policy response in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Thabisa Tokwe
Thabisa Tokwe is a Senior Researcher, Economist, data analyst with interests in Economics, Tax, education and health Research I hold a Master of Commerce degree in Economics, BComm Honours in Economics, postgraduate Certificate in Education majoring in Economics & Accounting, as well as a BComm degree majoring with Accounting and Economics all obtained from the University of Fort Hare in Alice. I also did certified career training in Project Management, also on Public Finance Management Act with the South African Revenue Service as well as Senior Management Development Programme jointly offered by Duke & Rhodes Universities. My career spans over a period of almost two decades as an economic researcher and a strategist for various Government departments such as National Department of Transport, National Treasury and South African Revenue Service and academic institutions like the University of Fort Hare, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Tshwane University of Technology and University of South Africa as an institutional researcher and an external contractor.
I co-authored two articles with my colleagues i.e. a chapter on the Zumanomics book: which way to shared prosperity in South Africa? - challenges for a new government book in and an article titled ‘Health policy and growth’ in 2009 and a journal article titled ‘What Drives the Tax Compliance Levels of Sole Traders in South Africa?’ for the African Multidisciplinary Tax Journal in 2023. I am also involved in various governance roles that includes, but not limited to, drafting policies, monitoring tax compliance trends and providing input pertaining various legislation that governs taxation of SMMEs. I have represented SARS in an annual Commonwealth Administration of Tax Administrators’ conference that was held in Rwanda in 2013, and I have served in various inter-governmental steering committees involving SMMEs and I also provide SMME related inputs to the Commissioner’s talking notes on the Annual Budget and Medium-Term Budget Speeches annually..
Dr. Bongani Munkuli
(PhD, MSc, BCom Hons, BCom, BSc)
Dr. Bongani Munkuli is an accomplished academic and finance professional with a strong foundation in financial markets, financial management, corporate governance, and econometric modeling. Dr. Munkuli holds a PhD (Accounting and Finance) from the University of Wollongong (Australia) and another PhD (Economics and Management) from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa). He also earned a Master of Science in Banking & Finance from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy), a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) in Financial Management from the University of Johannesburg, a Bachelor of Commerce (Cum Laude) from the University of Fort Hare and a BSc in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from UNISA. Complementing his formal education, Dr. Munkuli has completed certifications, including Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the University of Wollongong and Facilitation of Learning from the University of Fort Hare.
Currently, a lecturer at the University of Wollongong (Australia), Dr. Munkuli brings over a decade of teaching experience across several South African academic institutions such as the University of South Africa (UNISA), the University of the Witwatersrand, and Nelson Mandela University. He has developed and delivered advanced courses in Financial Statement Analysis, Advanced Corporate Finance, Economic Essentials for Business, Financial Markets & Institutions, Finance and Investment Decisions, Advanced Financial Management and Working Capital Management. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of theory and practice, helping students critically evaluate financial statements, develop corporate financial strategies, and understand real-world market dynamics. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Munkuli has supervised numerous master's dissertations on diverse topics including credit risk management, dividend policies, financial bailouts and economic development, data analytics and business models, SME finance, Business in Emerging Markets, Infrastructure Investment and Economic Growth, macro-economic factors and revenue growth, Market recovery and momentum profit strategies, gender diversity in ESG frameworks, and the regulation of micro-finance. His ability to mentor students and guide impactful research has significantly contributed to academic discourse in these fields.
Professionally, Dr. Munkuli has extensive industry experience. As a Research Analyst at Engineerex (Pty) for over a decade, he worked with global teams to provide innovative business solutions. His expertise includes data visualization, econometric analysis, investment evaluation, and statistical modeling using tools such as STATA, SPSS, and NVivo. At Engineerex, Dr. Munkuli applied advanced econometric methodologies to uncover relationships between datasets, evaluated equity and credit investment opportunities, and developed performance evaluation frameworks. He also collaborated with clients on strategic issues such as resource optimization and operational performance gaps.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Munkuli served as a Research Analyst at Sanku Consulting, where he conducted quantitative research, developed pricing models, and provided actionable insights to clients for improving market outcomes. His diverse professional background enables him to bridge the gap between academia and industry, leveraging his technical expertise to solve complex business problems.
Dr. Munkuli has contributed significantly to the academic community through his service as a journal referee for some leading publications, including the Journal of Economics and Finance and the International Journal of Managerial Finance. He has also acted as an external examiner for PhD theses at UNISA and master’s dissertations at MANCOSA.
Dr. Munkuli is a dynamic and driven professional with expertise in research, teaching, and industry practices. His skill set includes data-driven decision-making, strategic financial management, and the application of econometric models to evaluate corporate and public sector policies. His contributions to academia and industry reflect his commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering sustainable economic growth in Africa and beyond.
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