Mrs. Gyang Demitta Chinwude is currently Director of Customs Administration. She was the Senior Adviser to the Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat from 2021 to 2024. Before joining the AfCFTA Secretariat, she was Assistant Chief Trade Negotiator and Head of the AfCFTA/ECOWAS department at the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN). In her capacity as head of this unit, she was the Alternate Chief Trade Negotiator for Nigeria during the Phase I negotiations of the AfCFTA Agreement. Prior to her deployment to the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, Mrs. Gyang was a Commercial Officer at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria, 2006 – 2016 where she served in the Task Force for Trade Facilitation that eventually became the National Committee on Trade facilitation after Nigeria ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. She was part of
the Project Implementation Unit of the World Bank Growth and Employment Project (GEM), 2014 – 2016. She holds a master’s degree in International Law and Economics (MILES) from the World Trade Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Lebogang Letsoalo is a distinguished leader in the field of supply chain, Transport and Logistics management, serving as the CEO of Sincpoint, a company specializing in transport, logistics, and supply chain optimization. With over 26 years of extensive experience across diverse industries—including energy, mining, chemicals, construction, and transport—Lebogang has established herself as a global supply chain coach, expert, and thought leader dedicated to fostering sustainable transformation and advocacy within Africa and beyond. Her leadership in these roles underscores her commitment to advancing infrastructure, transport, and economic development across Africa.Throughout her career, Lebogang has held influential roles at major organizations such as DeBeers, Eskom, Fluor, and Sasol. Her career trajectory includes positions like Procurement Manager, General Manager of Supply Chain, Procurement & Project Development Executive, and Vice President of Supply Chain at Sasol.
Beyond her corporate accomplishments, Lebogang is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and youth empowerment in the supply chain and logistics sectors. She is the founder of the African Women In Supply Chain Association (AWISCA), a non-governmental organization committed to building networks, providing mentorship, and advancing gender and diversity agendas for women, youth, entrepreneurs, and professionals across Africa.
Lebogang’s influence extends to governance and policy through her participation on various boards of several notable organizations, including Transnet, Jet Demolition, and Booyco Engineerin and Cross Boarder.
Her contributions have garnered numerous accolades, both locally and globally. She has received 18 awards, including a Lifetime Achievers Award from the Institute of Marketing, recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Supply Chain worldwide (ranking at number 20), and inclusion in the Global Top 100 Women in Supply Chain. Other honors include the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain Africa, Women in Transport Mentor of the Year, and the Dignitas Award from the University of Johannesburg, recognizing her advocacy for diversity, inclusivity, and sustainable development in supply chains.
Adv. Michelle Phillips is the current Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd and was appointed into this role effective 1 March 2024. She has 26 years’ experience in Transnet with a proven track record in business and operations improvement.
Since her appointment, Michelle has been instrumental in the stabilisation of Transnet and the positioning of the organisation for growth in a dynamic logistics environment. She has played a key role in Transnet’s navigation of complex challenges requiring proactive engagement with multiple stakeholders to build trust.
During her tenure, Transnet has successfully implemented an 18-month Recovery Plan, leading to notable operational and financial gains, including improvements in rail volumes, port performance, capital expenditure and financial performance. As far as institutional reforms and private sector participation are concerned, major milestones under her watch include the vertical separation of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) into an operating company and an infrastructure manager, marking a crucial step towards the implementation of third-party access into the country’s rail network.
A key focus for Transnet has been the replenishment of critical port infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce congestion and increase capacity at the ports.
Before assuming her role as Group Chief Executive, Michelle was Chief Executive of Transnet Pipelines, a company that manages and operates 3 800km of underground, high pressure petroleum and gas pipelines. In this role, she was responsible for ensuring security of supply to the market. She has spent over 20 years in the port environment, in roles such as Legal Advisor, General Manager: Commercial and Planning, and eventually Acting Chief Executive of Transnet Port Terminals.
Michelle is an admitted Advocate of the High Court with a B Juries LLB from the Nelson Mandela University (Port Elizabeth). She has successfully completed various executive development leadership programmes t
