Ms. Paulina Mbala Elago, Former Executive Secretary, SACU
Ms. Paulina Mbala Elago
Former Executive Secretary, Southern African Customs Union (SACU)
Ms. Paulina Mbala Elago is a Namibian trade economist with over 25 years of experience in international trade, focusing on trade policy, regional integration, and economic development. She served as Executive Secretary of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) from April 2014, overseeing significant regional integration efforts and policy development initiatives. Her career includes roles such as Tanzania Country Director for TradeMark East Africa, Chief Trade Negotiator for Namibia, and Economic Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Ms. Elago has led multi-donor programs across Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific regions, championing trade facilitation and infrastructure projects. A strong advocate for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), she continues to contribute to advancing trade competitiveness and socio-economic development globally