Kayula Siame

Dr. Kayula Siame is a distinguished expert with over 30 years of experience in private sector development, entrepreneurship, trade, and investment, with extensive experience in strategic planning, higher education, and technical vocational training. She has held several prominent positions, including Permanent Secretary of Zambia's Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry, Ministry of Higher Education, and Ministry of Science and Technology. In these roles, she emphasized the importance of industrialization for Zambia's economic growth, asserting that the nation's future is closely tied to accelerated industrialization and value chain exploitation as pathways to prosperity. She also brings significant Governance and board experience from serving on several public and private Boards. As the first female chairperson of the Lusaka Securities Exchange, Dr. Siame spearheaded initiatives to diversify trading products, including the historic listing of the first Green Bond and Real Estate Investment Trust on the exchange. Her leadership in the financial sector has been instrumental in broadening investment opportunities in Zambia.

Dr. Siame actively contributed her expertise to regional investment initiatives within the Southern African Development Community.  She is the Co-Founder of EntrepreNovate Consulting Limited, a firm dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial excellence by providing innovative solutions and strategic guidance to businesses and startups. Her extensive experience and leadership have played a crucial role in shaping Zambia’s entrepreneurship development efforts.  Additionally, she is also a Co-Founder of the Southern African Institute for Collaborative Research and Innovation (SAICRIO). Through SAICRIO, she collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance the well-being and conditions of people and the environment through interdisciplinary scientific research, knowledge dissemination, innovation, education, and evidence-based policymaking.

Dr. Siame’s academic credentials include a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Lusaka, Zambia, an MBA in Decision Science and Finance from Clark Atlanta University, USA, and a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Zambia. Her academic and professional background, coupled with her extensive leadership experience, continues to drive impactful economic and entrepreneurial advancements in Zambia and the broader Southern African region.

The vision and mission of Africa International Foundation resonate deeply with Dr. Siame’s personal and professional ethos. By serving on the Advisory Board, Dr. Siame seeks to leverage her expertise, strategic insights to support sustainable, life-changing solutions that will create equity, wealth, and long-term prosperity across the continent.  As a trusted advisor, Dr. Siame looks forward to collaborating with like-minded leaders and stakeholders to turn passion into progress and commitment into lasting impact by building a future where African communities are not just recipients of change, but the driving force behind it.