Neil Cole is the Executive Secretary of the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative and the Chief Director of the African Economic Integration unit at the South African National Treasury. Prior to this, Mr. Cole worked in the Budget Office of the National Treasury – first as the director responsible for budget reforms and later as the head of the Expenditure Planning unit.
Cole did postgraduate studies in economics at the University of London and holds an undergraduate degree in public administration and communications from the University of South Africa. Mr Cole’s association with the Kennedy School dates back to 2003 when he attended the Public Financial Management program.
Mr. Cole’s expertise is in strategic planning, budgeting and budget execution. He has participated in several global forums on aid effectiveness and contributed in the drafting of the Accra Action Agenda and the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.