We are StateWatch Africa
Our team consists of young, dynamic professionals passionate about the continent’s transformation. We challenge conventional thinking and promote innovative policy solutions.
Our Team
Executive Director
dalaya@statewatchafrica.org
Dalaya Ashenafi
Ethiopia
Dalaya Ashenafi is an accomplished leader and policy expert with over 15 years of experience in research, governance, and public policy advisory, particularly in the realms of political economy, development, and security.
As a Non-resident Associate at the Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong, she bridges the gap between policy and practical impact, advising Ethiopian leaders and contributing to significant policy papers on state capacity, structural transformation, and economic reform. Her work has been featured at premier forums such as the Tana Forum on peace and security. Her diverse portfolio includes published work on political settlements, state-society relations, and the political economy of national dialogue. Dalaya holds advanced degrees in Conflict, Security, and Development from King’s College London and Peace and Security Studies from Addis Ababa University.
She is a member of multiple influential networks, including the Education Champions Network of the Malala Fund and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and continues to contribute to policy innovation and leadership development across the continent. transformation has been the implementation of homegrown solutions—innovative approaches tailored to the nation’s unique challenges and opportunities—which have fostered resilience and self-reliance.
Advisory Council Members
julius@statewatchafrica.org
Julius Kiiza
Uganda
Julius Kiiza is an Associate Professor of Political Economy and Development in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University (Uganda).
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Makerere University, a First Class Master of Public Policy from the University of Sydney (Australia), and a PhD from the same University. Julius did his postdoctoral studies at Cambridge University Centre for African Studies in 2003.
He has since been a visiting fellow at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania (USA), the University of Cambridge, UK; and the Washington-based Center for Global Development.
Julius has an active research and publications interest in the broad areas of institutional political economy, local content and information disclosure in the oil sector (in Uganda/East Africa), economic nationalism, and transformative industrial policies.
getachew@statewatchafrica.org
Getachew T. Alemu
Ethiopia
Getachew T. Alemu is passionate about state-market nexus. A progressive economist with over two decades of hands-on experience in development planning, public policy and program management, Getachew’s career spans public, private and intergovernmental spaces.
Trained in development economics, international business and public policy in Addis Ababa University, SKEMA Business School (France) and Duke University (United States), Getachew has written extensively on economic and political-economic issues, such as the role of the state in industrialization, public policy making in Ethiopia, development planning, infrastructure development and local development.
Getachew is a keen observer of political and economic developments in Ethiopia and Africa, while he is also often quoted in local and international media.
nkosi@statewatchafrica.org
Nkosi Redge
South Africa
Redge,is a South African macroeconomist, and is the current executive director and research head for Firstsource Money, a Money, Banking and Macroeconomic Research, Advisory and Advocacy organisation.
He is one of the founding executive board members of the London based International Movement for Monetary Reform.
He also holds the directorship of the Public Banking Association in South Africa.
nkosi@statewatchafrica.org
Dr. Kojo Busia
Ghana
Redge,is a South African macroeconomist, and is the current executive director and research head for Firstsource Money, a Money, Banking and Macroeconomic Research, Advisory and Advocacy organisation.
He is one of the founding executive board members of the London based International Movement for Monetary Reform.
He also holds the directorship of the Public Banking Association in South Africa.
nkosi@statewatchafrica.org
Dr Eka Ikpe
Nigeria
Eka Ikpe is a Senior Lecturer in Development Economics in Africa. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Leeds, MSc in Economics (with reference to Africa) and a PhD in Economics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.Eka is a Fellow of the PLuS Alliance – a tripartite education, research and policy impact partnership across King’s College London, University of New South Wales and Arizona State University.
She is on the Advisory Committee for ‘Understanding and supporting creative economies in Africa: Education, networks and policy research network’ (funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)). She is also on the editorial review board of the Journal of Leadership and Developing Societies.
Eka is a member of the Association for the Advancement of African Women Economists, International Initiative for Promoting Political Economy and the African Security Sector Network.