Fairtrade has announced, on Monday 25 april, the appointment of its new Global CEO, Sandra Uwera, who steps into the role following the departure of Dr. Nyagoy Nyong’o, who served as Interim Global CEO until 31 March 2022.
Fairtrade is an international organisation whose mission is to change the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries.
A Rwandan national, Sandra Uwera comes to Fairtrade with a wealth of experience in Eastern and Southern Africa and brings a unique set of skills, perspectives, and relationships to lead Fairtrade into the future. She is a regional expert in private sector development, with 20 years’ work experience in Eastern and Southern Africa, and within senior management positions.
She most recently served, for 12 years, as CEO of COMESA Business Council (CBC), the recognized Business Member Organization, established as a private sector institution of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which represents 34 business sectors across 21 countries.
Her roles included governance, strategic, administrative, programs, operations and stakeholder management of the institution. Her skills are in programs development and management, strategic planning and implementation, multi-stakeholder relationship management, strategic and policy negotiations at regional level, business analytics and development, policy advocacy and private sector development.
Led multiple programs
As part of her work with CBC and COMESA, she has led projects and programs on sustainable solutions for small and medium enterprises, advocacy, technical capacity-building, industry competitiveness and market access, digital financial inclusion, and programs focused on women and youth empowerment. These programs and projects have increased profitability and sustainability and increased regional ownership and recognition of the CBC, as one of the leading Regional Business Services Organizations in Africa.
Sandra Uwera joined the CBC in 2010, at a time when fragmented private sector players in the then nineteen countries that made up COMESA (now twenty-one), made a strong call for a regional organisation to be established as the voice of business – to advocate for, and participate in the development of industry driven policies and programs within the region.
Fully-fledged COMESA institution
Under her leadership, it’s explained, CBC has grown to a fully-fledged COMESA institution with funds mobilized to the tune of over US$17 million from both development partners and the private sector, towards policy, business and capacity development agendas. Today, CBC is one of the leading Business Member Organizations in Africa, representing 34 business sectors in twenty-one countries. CBC has gained an international footprint, working closely with various regional and international partners in the public, private and development space.
CBC has directly contributed to and driven over 40 policy agendas over the past 12 years that have been adopted at the regional level; strengthened numerous technical capacities of enterprises and corporates; and informed investments within COMESA and in international markets through our partnerships. To date, CBC presents innovative products and services that are tailor-made to the needs of its members and stakeholders.
Honored to lead Fairtrade
Sandra Uwera Said: “I am delighted and honored to lead Fairtrade as it builds on its leading role in confronting the greatest challenges of our time, from climate change and poverty to gender equality. For many people around the world, Fairtrade means a fairer future for farmers, a more sustainable future for our planet, and a better future for consumers committed to making a difference. This is the Fairtrade vision I look forward to growing alongside the millions of Fairtraders who support our mission.”
Lynette Thorstensen, Chair of Fairtrade’s Board said: “We are thrilled to have Sandra at the helm of Fairtrade at such an important juncture in our organization’s history. With her exceptional talent and vision, we expect Sandra’s leadership to build on our ambitious Global Strategy, hone our strategic direction, and deepen our impact around the world. We are especially pleased to have hired a citizen from a vital Fairtrade farming region who will be based there, working from Fairtrade Africa’s offices in Nairobi, Kenya.”
A member of multiple boards
Sandra Uwera grew up in both Kenya and Rwanda, speaks French and is fluent in English. She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Planning, a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications, and has undertaken advanced professional training in international trade policy and law, digital inclusion, and leadership for business sustainability. She is an Eisenhower fellow and sits on the board for ECOMARK Africa, Minerals Africa Development Institute (MADI), and Women’s Economic Empowerment – Financial Inclusion Advisory Council. She is also an Eisenhower and Thomas Mc. Gabe Fellow, and as a personal interest, has founded the MWELL Project, whose focus is on Mind Health advocacy for everyday people.
