Junior Achievement Africa (JA Africa) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Steven Zwane and Robert Koen to its Board. Their addition marks an important moment for the organization as it continues to strengthen its leadership and deepen its impact across the continent.
At a time when Africa’s young people are navigating rapid economic, technological, and social change, strong governance and diverse leadership are essential. Dr Zwane and Mr Koen bring complementary perspectives from academia, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and global business experience that will support JA Africa’s mission to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Dr Steven Zwane is a respected leader in youth entrepreneurship, education reform, and shared value strategy in Africa. A senior lecturer in Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Operations Management at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), University of Pretoria, he brings more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of business, academia, and civil society
He is the Founder and Chief Executive of PAPO Communications and the founding director of the Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Development (YLED) programmeone of South Africa’s longest-running high school entrepreneurship pipelines. Since 2004, YLED has equipped thousands of young people with leadership, financial literacy, enterprise development, and career-readiness skills, and alumni have contributed meaningfully to economic transformation across the continent.
Dr Zwane previously served as Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), where he led reforms to strengthen governance, improve funding efficiency, and introduce technology-enabled solutions to enhance student experience. More recently, as Managing Executive for Corporate Citizenship at Absa Group, he spearheaded a pan-African shared value strategy focused on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and financial inclusion—building partnerships that expanded opportunities for women, youth, and township entrepreneurs.
A Nelson Mandela Scholar and Doctor of Business Administration, Dr Zwane’s work consistently reflects a deep commitment to helping young people move “from dependency to dignity” by building agency, creating opportunities, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
Robert Koen brings extensive experience in global business leadership and market development to the JA Africa Board. As Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Amazon, he leads one of the world’s most influential companies in expanding digital infrastructure, innovation, and access to global markets across the region.
With a career spanning multiple markets and leadership roles, Robert has deep expertise in scaling operations, building high-performing teams, and leveraging technology to unlock economic opportunity. His perspective is especially valuable as JA Africa continues to prepare young people for the future of work—one increasingly shaped by digital skills, e-commerce, and global connectivity.
Robert’s appointment strengthens JA Africa’s ties to the private sector and underscores the importance of collaboration among education, business, and technology in creating inclusive pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for Africa’s youth.
The addition of Dr Steven Zwane and Robert Koen reflects JA Africa’s ongoing commitment to strong governance, diverse leadership, and forward-looking strategy. Together with the existing Board, they will help guide the organization as it expands its reach, deepens partnerships, and continues to empower millions of young Africans with the skills to build meaningful livelihoods.
JA Africa warmly welcomes Dr Zwane and Mr Koen and looks forward to the insight, leadership, and shared purpose they bring to shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future for Africa’s young people.
