Lerato Mbele is a Global Moderator, Broadcaster, Strategist, Relationship Builder, and an advocate for soft power in the promotion of African culture and economic diplomacy. She is a respected facilitator of Thought Leadership conversations, known for her ability to connect complex ideas with clarity and impact.

With a 20-year career spanning local and global broadcasting, and experience as a foreign policy analyst heading a programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Lerato has developed a deep understanding of the political dynamics shaping emerging market economies. Her work reflects a strong passion for Africa’s development, using her platforms to showcase opportunities across frontier markets and emerging business sectors, while engaging with leading voices across African boardrooms and heads of government.

Former BBC Global Business News Anchor and host of Africa Business Report, former senior business anchor at CNBC Africa, and Prime Time News anchor at SABC News, Lerato’s international journalism experience has given her a distinct ability to connect regional and global dynamics. She brings sharp insight into how geopolitics influences African investment, trade, and broader social impact.

She is also a renowned talk show host and podcaster through the radio show PowerTalk.

A sought-after global moderator, she has sat on stage at the WEF, OPEC Fund for International Development Forum, UN, AfDB, Biashara Africa, World Bank Annual Meetings, Afreximbank, SA Investment Forum, Nigeria Economic Forum, and numerous other platforms promoting investment and innovation across the African continent.

She is the 2023 recipient of one of South Africa’s highest honours, the Charlotte Maxeke Women in Leadership Award, for her contribution to international broadcasting. The City of Atlanta, Georgia (USA), issued a proclamation in her honour in March 2024, recognising her impact in global journalism and her role in showcasing opportunities in Africa. Lerato Mbele is also a WEF Young Global Leader and has been named among New African’s most influential women in media, featured on the Oprah Magazine Power List and among the Lionesses of Africa.