Akhona Myataza is an Economist at TIPS. Her research interests include sustainable development, energy systems optimisation, infrastructure finance, climate change, and the intersection of economic development and the low-carbon transition. Prior to joining TIPS, Akhona worked as an Independent Examiner at The University of South Africa, and as an Independent Economic Consultant at ED Platform, where she supported the socio-economic development components of renewable energy projects under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. She also served as a Macroeconomic Researcher at the South African Revenue Service, contributing to evidence-based economic research. Earlier in her career, she lectured economics modules and tutored econometrics at Nelson Mandela University. Akhona holds a Master of Philosophy in Economics (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria and is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics at Nelson Mandela University.