Dr Musa Nxele

Dr Musa Nxele is an economist and a political economist. He convenes the Masters degree programme at the Nelson Mandela School. He teaches political economy of policymaking and development. His research currently focusses on the politics of private investment and the economics of natural resources.

Dr Nxele holds a PhD in Economics from the Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and a PhD in Development Policy and Practice from the University of Cape Town. He has a Master of research degree in Globalization and International Economics from the Université de Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and the École Normale Supérieure de Cachan. He also has a Master of Commerce degree specialising in Economic Development from the University of Cape Town.

Before moving to tertiary education, he worked in the private sector in the fields of investment banking and industrial development consulting. Musa dedicates his life to the transformation of people's livelihoods; driven by a passion for the possible, and the incredible story of his hometown, Soweto.

Research Interests: Political Economy of Development: policymaking (various topics); elite deals; capital investment; and economic growth.

 Journal Article
‘Crony capitalist deals and investment in South Africa’s platinum belt: a case study of Anglo American Platinum’s scramble for mining rights, 1995–2019,’ Review of African Political Economy, 49 (173), 2022

 Book Review
‘Deals and Development: The Political Dynamics of Growth Episodes,’ The Journal of Development Studies, 57 (2), 2021

 Research Report
‘South Africa: When Inequality and Institutions Collide,’ Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (2021)