Vickey de Villiers is an economic consultant and researcher associated with the Henley Business School. Previously, she was a senior development economist at Urban-Econ development economists and a consultant at Imani Development. Vickey has eight years of professional experience in economic development, research and trade facilitation. She holds a master’s degree in Economics and is currently pursuing a PhD. Her most relevant project experience includes the joint ESG research project between Henley Business School and Risk Insights. Specific country experience includes contributing to the design of a regional programme for COMESA on small-scale cross border trade, and the design of cross-border trade strategies and programmes for EAC countries.