Cleola Kunene

Cleola Kunene is the Head of SME Development at the JSE and founder of Afri Green Investments, an SME investment firm. In her current role at the JSE, she is responsible for economic growth drivers with a focus on SME development, Capital access, driving public-private partnerships, red-tape reduction and market access. Cleola also serves on the steerco for the Start-up Act and serves as an independent Director for Edge and AltVest VC fund.
 
Cleola has co-founded several businesses over time from technology, a consulting firm, e-commerce and critical mineral refining.
In the past she has led the growth of Say-Siyabonga, an ecommerce platform that was acquired. Had significant success as Business Coach and founder or Business Bestie and Afri-Green Investments and previous Director and co-founder of Riverlife hospitality and water.
 
In addition Cleola is a motivational speaker, MC and presenter on topics from self-development, entrepreneurship to financial wellness. She served as a mentor for Women in ETFs. Her prior roles include organisations such as T-Systems, Multichoice and Naspers.
 
Cleola holds a master’s degree in business administration from Henley. She also holds degrees in Linguistics and a post-graduate degrees from Wits University, University of Reunion and qualifications from GIBS.