Mwanda Phiri-Mwewa is an economist with extensive experience in applied economics research and policy analysis. She is Africa Lead for the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) where she is responsible for leading and coordinating activities of CCI Zambia and supporting the development of new thriving cities across Africa that foster investments and jobs and catalyse sustained and inclusive economic development. Prior to joining CCI, Mwanda was head of the Trade and Investment Unit at the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research. During her time at ZIPAR, Mwanda actively engaged with the Government of Zambia, the private sector, Parliament, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders by providing technical support through meetings, workshops and memberships to various national committees on trade, industrialization, tax, the demographic dividend and sub-national carrying capacity.

She has made notable contributions to key national policy documents namely: the 7th National Development Plan, the National E-Commerce Strategy and Action Plan, the National Demographic Dividend Operational Plan and Zambia's Tariff Phase-down Schedule for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Mwanda is passionate about contributing towards promoting economic prosperity and the transformation of African economies. Mwanda is a published author with 10 years of working experience. Her research areas of interest include trade, investment, regional integration, inclusive and sustainable industrial development, urban economics, structural transformation, job creation and private sector development. 

She was appointed to the Capital Markets Tribunal and invited to be a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Complex Risks. She is a recipient of the UK Commonwealth Scholarship and holds a Master of Science in Economics and Public Policy obtained from the University of Sheffield.