Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Software
Timeline
DISTINGUISHED AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
NOTABLE ACADEMIC WORK
Generic
Mziwomelele Sinkqo

Mziwomelele Sinkqo

Senior Risk Manager: Country Risk
Johannesburg

Summary

Accomplished economist and risk professional with 15 years in country and sovereign risk management, central banking, and financial markets research. Expertise in risk analysis, macroeconomic research, and deal structuring. Proven track record in delivering effective analysis and building strong professional relationships. Academic credentials include a Master of Arts in Economics and advanced certificates in risk analysis and central banking.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Risk Manager, Country Risk & Financial Institutions

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
08.2022 - Current
  • Lead a workstream responsible for country risk management.
  • Performing periodic country risk assessments with specific focus on Sub-Saharan Africa economies.
  • Managed country limits to align with company Africa strategy, ensuring risk exposure remained within acceptable thresholds.
  • Conducting counterparty risk assessments for financial institutions, mainly development finance institutions and third-party managed funds.
  • Provided comprehensive reports on risk trends and identified opportunities to enhance strategic decision-making.
  • Managing the implementation and use of country risk models.
  • Supported development and implementation of organisation’s Africa strategy, contributing to alignment with regional risk management objectives.
  • Supporting the development and implementation of the organisation’s Africa strategy.
  • Contributed to initiatives at a state-owned development finance institution.

Senior Specialist Economist

ABSA Group Credit Risk
10.2017 - 08.2022
  • Conducted periodic country risk assessments, identifying key risks and opportunities in selected Sub-Saharan markets.
  • Prepared comprehensive country and sovereign rating reports, supporting strategic decision-making for ABSA’s presence and non-presence countries.
  • Utilized in-depth country risk research to shape and support business strategies for targeted market expansion.
  • Producing quality briefings in the form of presentations and briefing notes.
  • Providing technical input in the development of Country Risk rating models.
  • Maintaining country risk models and ensuring compliance to internal governance standards.

Senior Economist, BRICS

The National Treasury
06.2016 - 09.2017
  • Managing South Africa’s international financial relations.
  • Developed briefing materials with analysis for discussions at international policy forums.
  • Communicated South Africa’s views and positions to key stakeholders and multilateral bodies to influence policy outcomes.
  • Supported senior policy-makers in representing South Africa’s position at international and regional diplomatic meetings.

Foreign Exchange Dealer and Analyst

South African Reserve Bank
12.2012 - 05.2016
  • Implemented monetary policy decisions, managing liquidity to stabilize the domestic foreign exchange market.
  • Analyzed trends and developments in the foreign exchange market to inform strategic decisions.
  • Conducting research on topical developments in the foreign exchange market.
  • Liaised with market participants to gather market intelligence and monitor key developments.

Junior Economist

South African Reserve Bank
01.2011 - 11.2012
  • Analyzed money market developments and short-term interest rates, delivering actionable insights through comprehensive reports.
  • Compiled and presented monthly reports and tables on liquidity conditions and interest rate movements, informing strategic decision-making in the domestic money market.
  • Estimated weekly liquidity requirements and briefed senior management through monthly reports, highlighting significant developments in the domestic money market.

Graduate Intern - SARB Cadet Class of 2010

South African Reserve Bank
01.2010 - 12.2010
  • Completed a twelve-month internship program with the Economic Research Department.
  • Provided administrative support and edited research papers to enhance clarity and presentation.
  • Collected economic data and contributed to econometric modelling and forecasting projects, supporting data-driven decision-making.

Academic Tutor - Economics

University of Fort Hare
01.2009 - 12.2009
  • Supported course instructor by managing administrative tasks and coordinating class activities.
  • Provided tutoring support to students struggling with course material and at times provided counseling to learners.
  • Developed personalized learning plans to address individual student needs and enhance academic performance.
  • Facilitated group study sessions, fostering collaborative learning and improving peer engagement.
  • Utilized educational technology tools to streamline tutoring sessions and track student progress effectively.

Education

Master of Commerce - Economics

University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
12-2016

Master of Arts - Economics

Fordham University
New York, USA
08-2014

Certification - Emerging Markets and Country Risk Analysis

Fordham University
New York, USA
07-2012

Advanced Diploma - International and Central Banking

South African Reserve Bank College
Pretoria, South Africa
12-2010

Bachelor of Commerce - Honours in Economics

University of Fort Hare
East London, South Africa
12-2009

Bachelor of Commerce - Economics and Business Management

University of Fort Hare
Alice, South Africa
12-2008

Skills

Country risk management

Economic research and analysis

Financial market analysis

Portfolio management

Econometric Modelling

Deal Structuring

Stakeholder communication

Risk mitigation strategies

Affiliations

  • UP-Fordham Emerging Markets Alumni Chapter: I am a member of the Steering Committee (the highest decision-making body), and lead activities of the Mentorship, Job-shadowing and Professional Development sub-committee.
  • Fordham Ubuntu Service-Learning Program: Supervised a group of 16 undergraduates from the University of Pretoria in their study tour to New York (USA). Communicated on behalf of the student group with speaker guests and in public interactions.

Software

Eviews

Reuters Eikon

Microsoft Packages

Timeline

Senior Risk Manager, Country Risk & Financial Institutions

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
08.2022 - Current

Senior Specialist Economist

ABSA Group Credit Risk
10.2017 - 08.2022

Senior Economist, BRICS

The National Treasury
06.2016 - 09.2017

Foreign Exchange Dealer and Analyst

South African Reserve Bank
12.2012 - 05.2016

Junior Economist

South African Reserve Bank
01.2011 - 11.2012

Graduate Intern - SARB Cadet Class of 2010

South African Reserve Bank
01.2010 - 12.2010

Academic Tutor - Economics

University of Fort Hare
01.2009 - 12.2009

Bachelor of Commerce - Economics and Business Management

University of Fort Hare

Master of Commerce - Economics

University of Pretoria

Master of Arts - Economics

Fordham University

Certification - Emerging Markets and Country Risk Analysis

Fordham University

Advanced Diploma - International and Central Banking

South African Reserve Bank College

Bachelor of Commerce - Honours in Economics

University of Fort Hare

DISTINGUISHED AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Third place Brandeis University Crisis Game challenge (February 2014)
  • Proud recipient of the prestigious Bergman scholarship (2013)
  • First Place SARB Advance Programme in Central and International Banking (December 2010)
  • Second Place Financial Markets Honours class of 2009
  • Merit award recipient from ERS for excellent academic performance (2009)
  • Proud recipient of the Nedbank and Old Mutual bursary (2008-2009)
  • Proud recipient of the Eastern Cape Premier bursary (2008).

NOTABLE ACADEMIC WORK

  • Co-authored a discussion paper on the Modus Operandi of Monetary Policy in South Africa.
  • Prospectus for Portfolio Investment in South Africa Fordham University newsletter January 2012 edition.
  • Investigating the Housing and Financial Wealth effect on Consumption in South Africa - VECM Investigation.
Mziwomelele SinkqoSenior Risk Manager: Country Risk