Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe has been secretary-general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) since 2018. A chartered accountant by training, her experience in leadership, business and operations management in both the public and private sectors spans more than 30 years. Ms Kapwepwe has been an executive director at the International Monetary Fund representing 23 African countries, and managing director of the National Airports Corporation Limited in Zambia. She was a member of the Zambian Parliament and deputy minister of finance. She has served and continues to serve on numerous boards, including the Zambia Revenue Authority, Bank of Zambia and the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa.