Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa

Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa is the Director – Africa at Jersey Finance, where she leads the organisation’s Africa strategy, connecting African capital to global markets and global capital to African opportunities. Based in South Africa, she works closely with financial institutions, private wealth advisors, fund managers, family businesses, intermediaries and investors to strengthen the connection between African capital and global markets, while positioning Jersey as a trusted international finance centre and structuring partner.

With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, wealth management, governance and international business development, Rufaro brings deep expertise in cross border investment, private wealth, fiduciary structures, sustainable finance and African market development.

Her pan African experience includes working extensively across multiple African markets, advising businesses, financial institutions and leadership teams on growth, strategy and investment opportunities. She is particularly passionate about helping global investors better understand Africa’s evolving economic landscape and the opportunities emerging across the continent.

Her career spans leadership roles across banking, financial planning and strategic advisory, including extensive pan African experience gained during her time at Nedbank, where she supported the development of Ecobank’s pan African wealth management strategy across multiple African markets.

Rufaro is the author of the book Doing Business in Africa and is widely recognised as an African thought leader and international speaker on topics including African investment opportunities, governance, responsible investing, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment and sustainable growth.

She regularly speaks at global conferences, investment forums and executive leadership platforms, where she is known for bringing practical insight, strategic perspective and an authentic African voice to conversations shaping the future of business and investment on the continent.

In addition to her executive responsibilities, Rufaro serves as a Non-Executive Director on several boards and contributes to governance and strategic advisory initiatives. She is passionate about advancing financial inclusion, women’s leadership, responsible investing and strengthening Africa’s role in the global economy.

Rufaro holds a PhD in Business Management focussed on the internationalisation of businesses, an MBA and internationally recognised professional qualifications in financial planning and fiduciary practice.