Bongani Mankewu | Executive Director
Infrastructure Research Development Centre

Bongani Mankewu is the Executive Director of Infrastructure Research Development Centre (IRDC). The organization focuses on rail and ports infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa. His professional training includes engineering and business administration. Bongani has a National Diploma Electrical Engineering, a MAP, an MBA and is a Candidate Doctor of Business Leadership at the Graduate School of Business Leadership at UNISA researching A Conceptual Project Finance Model for Infrastructure Development in Africa – A Case for SADC Railway Infrastructure Development. He is registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa and the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. Bongani began his engineering training at De Beers and after working for a number of companies, he established his own engineering company specializing in rail electrification. Over the years he has developed an in-depth knowledge of industrial policies affecting both developed and developing countries. He advocates different innovative financing models for rail infrastructure on the African continent. He frequently makes presentations at international conferences including the Africa Rail and World Metrorail Congress. He has written for a number of local and international publications on transport as a catalyst for economic growth