Economist Ndii Explains His New Role as Head of President Ruto's Council of Economic Affairs

Economist David Ndii has revealed what his new role as the chairperson of the President's Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) entails.

Ndii, who was appointed to the position by President Ruto on Friday, says the CEA is an executive agency, similar to what exists in the United States.

He indicated that the CEA, alongside the Office of Fiscal Affairs and Budget and the Office of the National Security Advisor, is part of the government's goal to fully operationalize the presidential system.

In his new role, Ndii will be charged with preparing an economic report detailing an annual overview of the country's recovery prospects.

Before joining the Executive Office of the President, Ndii served as Ruto's economic advisor in his presidential campaign team.

Ndii, who is the founder and managing director of Africa Economics, is one of East Africa's leading and most influential independent economists. He also co-founded the Institute of Economic Affairs, Kenya's first independent policy think tank.

He has extensive experience in economic policy, which includes Economic advisor to the Government of Rwanda, public finance expert to the Kenya constitutional review Committee of Experts (COE), and advising the NARC administration on the Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS).

Ndii also consults for international development institutions and advises leading corporations in East Africa on strategy. 

He has a doctorate and master's degrees in economics from the University of Oxford, and master’s and bachelor's degrees from the University of Nairobi.