Mwanda is an economist with over a decade of experience in applied economic research, investment and policy analysis, with a strong understanding of African and global economic contexts. 

She is deeply committed to advancing economic prosperity and structural transformation across Africa, with research and professional interests spanning inclusive and sustainable industrial development, trade, structural transformation, investment, governance, and private sector development. 

Mwanda is Founder of Africa Amplified Growth Lab (A2G Lab), a pan-African organization focussed on re-framing and amplifying Africa’s economic narrative and enterprises through storytelling and by bridging the gap between enterprise, and capital and markets. 

Most recently, she served as Africa Policy Lead for the Charter Cities Institute (CCI), where she successfully established and expanded CCI’s presence and recognition in Zambia, the region and globally. She Led and coordinated CCI Zambia activities, supporting the development of new special economic zone cities designed to attract investment, generate jobs, and foster sustained and inclusive economic development. 

Previously, Mwanda served as Head of the Trade and Investment Unit at the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research. She is a published author, having contributed a chapter on Zambia’s Industrial Policy to the first Oxford Handbook of the Zambian Economy among other works. 

She currently serves as an appointed member of Zambia’s Capital Markets Tribunal, adjudicating capital-markets disputes and providing strategic guidance and oversight. She is also a former member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Complex Risks (2023-2024) and was recognised as one of Donors for Africa’s Outstanding 50 African Women in Development (2024). Mwanda is a UK Commonwealth Scholar with an MSc in Economics and Public Policy (Distinction) from the University of Sheffield.