Dr Simbarashe Mhaka is an economist with expertise in international trade, green economy, and just transition policies for sustainable development. He holds a BCom, BCom Honours, MCom, and a PhD in Economics from Nelson Mandela University, where his doctoral research focused on the effects of exchange rates on bilateral trade balances within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Since joining Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) in 2023, Simba has contributed to the JUST SA project, addressing issues of economic growth, poverty, and inequality. Prior to this, he gained extensive academic experience as a lecturer at Nelson Mandela University, Cape Business and Engineering College, The Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA) and Postgraduate supervisor and examiner for Durban University of Technology (DUT). He also held roles as a Senior Research Fellow at Africa Economics Development Strategies (AEDS), research consultant for In on Africa (IOA) and Research Officer at Organisation Development & Research Ltd (ODRL), enhancing his skills in economic policy research, econometric modelling, and data analysis. With proficiency in tools such as EViews, STATA, Power BI, and other Microsoft 365 Apps, Simba has developed a strong track record in economic research, capacity building, and trend forecasting across various sectors
