The State-owned Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC) has announced the passing of its CEO Mandisi Nkuhlu.

Nkuhlu dedicated 22 years of his life to the growth and success of the ECIC. Under his guidance, the ECIC flourished and became a significant player in the international export, investment financing and insurance landscape, leaving a legacy of leadership, vision and inspiration, the organisation said in a July 25 release.

"Throughout his tenure, Nkuhlu displayed an unwavering commitment to the development of South Africa’s export trade industry. His passion for fostering economic growth and empowering local businesses was evident in every strategic decision he made," it said.

"During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wife and children, friends and all those who had the honour of knowing him personally. We extend our deepest condolences to them and offer our support in any way we can.

"As an organisation, we remain committed to upholding the values and principles that Nkuhlu instilled in the ECIC. We will honour his memory by continuing to drive growth, innovation, and sustainable development in the export trade finance sector," the ECIC added in a statement.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel paid tribute to Nkuhlu, following his untimely passing on July 23.

“On behalf of the department I would like to express our deep condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Nkuhlu, and to the employees and the leadership of the ECIC,” he said.

Nkuhlu helped expand the focus of the ECIC to promoting the level of exports to other African countries through the provision of risk cover to South African firms.

"Before his untimely passing, Mandisi was leading the creation of an expanded Exporter Development Initiative in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the National Empowerment Fund, as a contribution to the DTIC’s goal to expand export of locally-made manufactured products," Patel said.

Nkuhlu finalised an agreement with Patel and the ECIC board to cover additional sectors in the scope of the ECIC.

He also accompanied Patel on an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this month.

“Mandisi was a committed public servant, focused on his work and deeply committed to service. He was passionate about local industrial development, created a work environment conducive to empowering young people and grew the ECIC's deal book over the years. His commitment to African integration was strong. He will be missed by all of us, his colleagues and the business community,” Patel said.

Further, Nkuhlu played a prominent role in the international arena, co-chairing the Credit Insurance Committee and representing the ECIC at the developed economies bloc Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) semi-annual meetings in Paris.

He represented the ECIC at the Berne Union, the international association of Export Credit Agencies, and served as the vice president of the Berne Union from 2016 to 2019.

Most recently, Nkuhlu led South Africa’s participation in the developing economies bloc Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa Export Credit Agencies platform, under South Africa’s chairmanship.

Prior to his appointment as CEO in December 2022, Nkuhlu was the ECIC COO, a post he served in for more than ten years. Prior to his role at the ECIC, Nkuhlu was a Standard Bank export and project finance director.

He holds a BA Law degree and an LLB degree from the University of the Western Cape. Nkuhlu also completed various postgraduate management programmes at the University of Cape Town and the University of the Witwatersrand.

Nkuhlu had been involved in project finance and deal structuring since 2001 when he became a senior account manager at the IDC.

"The DTIC family and the country as a whole have lost a dedicated and capable professional in Mandisi Nkuhlu," Patel said.