Baneng is a distinguished author, economist, and entrepreneur from South Africa. He holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of the Witwatersrand. His research focuses on financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, and tax reform. Baneng’s scholarly contributions have been extensively published in leading international economics journals, demonstrating the significant impact of his work.
– June 2025
Numerous prominent institutions, including the World Bank Group, DNA Economics, the Competition Commission, the National Treasury, and the Competition Tribunal, have sought Baneng’s expertise in economic analysis and policy formulation. This reflects his esteemed reputation as a trusted advisor in the field.
Among his many accolades, Baneng won the prestigious Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition in 2019 and was recognised as one of South Africa’s Top 100 Future Leaders. In 2023, he was listed as one of the 30 Most Influential Young Economists in Sub-Saharan Africa by the Institute of Certified Chartered Economists and was subsequently featured in the Mail & Guardian’s list of 200 Young South Africans.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Baneng is deeply committed to philanthropy. He has volunteered for various non-profit organisations, including the International Youth Society, Global Peace Chains, Youth Opportunities, and the World Literacy Foundation. He also had the honour of representing South Africa at the World Youth Forum in Egypt, under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Currently, he is developing the Baneng Naape Foundation, which aims to create a training ground for social change by empowering youth and providing financial and technical support to rural communities. Additionally, he engages in commentary work for several local radio stations, including Thobela FM, Radio Turf, Energy FM, and Power FM. He has also made appearances on prominent television programs such as Morning Live and Expresso.
