Sandile Mbatha is a Development Economist and an academic at the University of Johannesburg, specialising in industrial development, green industrialisation, innovation dynamics, and structural transformation in Africa. He is affiliated to the DSI/NRF South African Research Chair in Industrial Development, where his work engages with foreign direct investment, manufacturing development, technological capabilities, green industrial policy, and Africa’s transition towards sustainable industrialisation. His research interests are grounded in political economy and structuralist development thinking, with a particular focus on how African economies can build productive capabilities, deepen industrialisation, and pursue inclusive and sustainable growth. Sandile also lectures in economics at the University of Johannesburg. Beyond academia, he has contributed to policy-oriented research on South Africa’s energy transition, industrial development, and green growth.