Biography

NARDOS BEKELE-THOMAS was appointed and endorsed as the Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD by the African Union Heads of State and Government during the Thirty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in February 2022. 
Prior to this appointment, Mrs Nardos Bekele- Thomas served as the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations (UN) in South Africa. In 2016, she served as the Senior Director of the Office of the former UN Secretary-General, H.E. Ban Ki-Moon. Mrs. Bekele-Thomas has also worked as the UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Kenya and Benin and Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Kenya.

 Throughout her career, Mrs Bekele-Thomas’s work has extensively spanned economic and social development, emphasising the necessity for inclusive strategies that address the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. A staunch advocate for women's and youth empowerment, her contributions have bolstered trade and investment in Africa through strategic regional and global partnerships, advocating for economic empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development. 

Prior to her global leadership roles, she dedicated her efforts to private sector development, serving as a Private Sector Policy Adviser and playing a crucial role in strengthening African business associations and promoting entrepreneurship. 

Mrs. Bekele-Thomas holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Development, Monetary Economics and Econometrics from New York University (NYU). She is also a respected author and member of professional associations like ASSA and the American Economic Association. 

Mrs. Bekele-Thomas is a member of the Group of African Imminent Women. She is a recipient of the prestigious AU DAF Award of “2015 Woman of Excellence”, along with the Presidents of Liberia and former President of Malawi. She was also honoured in 2007 as the recipient of the Living Legend Achiever’s Award in recognition of her service and leadership role in promoting sustainable human development globally, particularly in Africa.