Metsi Makhetha
UN Resident Coordinator in Burkina Faso
Ms Metsi Makhetha, is currently the UN Resident Coordinator in Burkina Faso and is responsible for leading and coordinating operational activities of the UN country team comprised of 19 UN entities including specialized technical entities, funds and programs.
She has more than 20 years of experience in different country contexts (including political, transitions and emergencies) across sub-Saharan Africa, working in international and multinational organizations, and has led multi-disciplinary teams, providing high level strategic advice and program development services in areas including but not limited to, people centered approaches to governance, integrated planning, energy, water and sanitation and, management of ecosystem services.
Previously, while based in New York, as the Regional Program Advisor, in charge of a portfolio of programs for Sub-Saharan Africa, she amongst other things, brokered partnerships between the UN, economic regional commissions, donors and the private sector and advocated for investments in decentralized models for delivery of energy services. In this regard, she led the formulation of the ECOWAS and supported East Africa Regional Commission Policy on Energy Access based on Sustainable energy for all. She was also among the people who facilitated the establishment of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Cabo Verde.
Metsi served in her country of origin, South Africa, seconded by UN-Habitat, as Advisor to government during the transition period, shortly after the 1994 democratic elections, and advised on policy options and financing of sustainable human settlements.
Before joining the UN, she worked with a French Multinational Bouygues’ Subsidiary, SAUR, in the Energy, Water, Sanitation and Waste Management Division.
She holds a Matriese of Biochimie from Universite de Franche Comte, France, Msc in Biochemistry from University of Kansas, USA, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Policy and Public Service Management from Wits University, South Africa.