Professional History: Mokena is a Principal at Dalberg and Head of the Dalberg South Africa office. In this role, he has a particular focus on the following areas: cities and urban development; the built environment and natural infrastructure; digital communities, innovation, and entrepreneurship; transport and renewables; green livelihoods; forest economy; beyond smart cities and spatial and social transformation through design. Mokena’s mandate leverages his experience as an award-winning architect, urbanist, and design theoretician and a leading voice on entrepreneurial development, design, and urban strategy. In 2015, he founded House of Makeka, Africa’s first export-quality premium agave spirit company, fashion, and lifestyle brand. He is the founder of Makeka Design Lab, a design practice that deploys innovative design solutions at the urban, architectural, cultural, and installation scale. Mokena is passionate about Africa realizing her full political, economic and creative potential.

Academic and professional credentials: BArch (Hons) from the University of Cape Town.

Programs: Mokena is Young Global Leader, a member of the WCS Young leaders in urbanism (Singapore) and an Aspen Fellow in Leadership 2020.