Nelson has more than 30 years of experience working as a senior executive and development economist. His areas of expertise include economic development, trade policy, multilateral and regional trading agreements, institutional strengthening, and regulatory reform. Nelson has managed large multinational teams to deliver technically sound work to client satisfaction within project budgets—on average $30 million.

Furthermore, he has been directly involved in the development of agricultural trade policies across East and Southern Africa (ESA), particularly as it relates to food trade and food systems; climate-smart agriculture (CSA); harmonization of trade policies; and effective integration of smallholder farmers and Agro-SMEs into regional and international markets.

Nelson holds Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics from the University of Reading, England, and a Diploma in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Zambia/NRDC, Zambia.

Countries of work experience include Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia.

Donors worked with include AFD, AusAID (DFAT), BMZ, UK FCDO, EU, EIB, ILO, KfW, MCC, USAID, World Bank, IFC, We Effect (SCC), DGIS, Danida, Finnida, UN Agencies, and the Gates Foundation (GF).