The International Labour Organization new Country Director for Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan and Special Representative to the AU and ECA, Mr. Khumbula Ndaba, presents his credentials today to H.E. Melaku Bedada, the Director General of Protocol Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of FDRE.
Mr. Khumbula Ndaba arrived in Ethiopia this week following the appointment by the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo in April 2024. Upon presenting his credentials, the Country Director stated:
"I am honoured to be here in Ethiopia to serve the Ethiopian People with our tripartite partners by assuming the responsibility of strengthening the century old relationships between the ILO and Ethiopia. I believe we will build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable labour market that promotes social justice and decent work for all in Ethiopia and the Horn of African region."
© ILO/Zelalem Desta H.E. Melaku Bedada reaffirmed the Government's commitment to its longstanding partnership with the ILO and underscored the importance of creating job opportunities for the growing number of youths in Ethiopia, stating that, "the Government of Ethiopia along with partners including the private sector is trying to create job opportunities for youth and is encouraging entrepreneurship as a means to reduce unemployment."
Prior to his appointment as the ILO Country Director in Ethiopia Mr. Khumbula Ndaba has been serving as the Deputy Director General (DDG) for Corporate Support Services at the National Department of Social Development of the Government of the Republic of South Africa since 2019.
In the past, he held various positions in South Africa, including as Regional Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) from 1993 to 1995, and later National Negotiations Coordinator from 1995 to 1999.
Mr. Khumbula Ndaba joined the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) in 1999 as the Director of Labour Relations. In 2003, Mr Ndaba joined the South African Police as Major General. In 2010, he rejoined the DPSA as the Deputy Director General and held the position until 2016.
Mr. Khumbula Ndaba obtained a Bachelor of Admin Degree from the University of Durban Westville (now KwaZulu Natal) in 1993 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Economics from the University of London in 2004. Mr. Khumbula Ndaba was born on 21 March1968.
