Michelle Knowles

Pan African Head of Trade Finance Product Absa Corporate Investment Banking

Michelle Knowles is Head of Trade Finance Product Management at Absa Group Limited and has recently also taken on responsibility for the Trade and Working Capital Product Governance, Risk and Innovation function in the business

During her 23 years in the Banking industry, Michelle has spent the major part of her career in Trade Finance at Standard Bank, First National Bank and the ABSA Group.

During this time, she has been involved in training, management of trade online channels and for the past 11 years, her focus has been on Product Management, with an emphasis on the development of a portfolio of new emerging products and management of an existing portfolio’s.

In her current role, she is responsible for defining and executing the Trade Finance Product strategy across the Group’s footprint across Africa, which includes driving innovation and product development and execution for the Trade Finance suite of products. The evolution of Supply Chain Finance products and its ability to address the Trade Finance Gap in Africa has been her focus over the past couple of years.

She has also taken on responsibility for the Product Governance and Risk Management function for the Trade and Working Capital business. The role is responsible for leading the TWC product governance and innovation function across all the presence markets and setting and managing of the overall Trade and Working capital risk strategy and appetite across the business. The role is also responsible for collaboration strategies and leading the innovation process in the business to identify new revenue opportunities or technology trends that aligns to the overall strategy of the business.

Michelle has a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership (UNISA) and has completed the SAFEX Registered Persons examination for Bond, Equity and Futures markets.

In addition, she holds a certificate in Business Psychology and Human Behaviour, completed numerous leadership and trade finance courses, and is currently a member of the Institute of South African Financial Markets.

Expertise In: Trade Finance, Product Management, Supply Chain Finance

Three keys to enhance African trade potential in the digital age

Three keys to enhance African trade potential in the digital age  

Europe remains one of the most important continents for African trade, but recent years have seen a decline relative to other regions, with a notable uptick in flows from China and MEA regions.  

Michelle KnowlesAfrica, China, Featured, SME Finance, South Africa, Sponsored, Technology, Trade Finance, Tradetech
Bridging the trade finance gap Absa's digital journey in Africa

Bridging the trade finance gap: Absa’s digital journey in Africa

In the wake of the pandemic, the global economy has seen a confluence of challenges, including geopolitical risks, interest rate changes, and commodity price fluctuations.

Michelle KnowlesAfrica, Articles, Commodity Finance, Featured, International Trade, Issue 18, Payments, Receivables Finance, SME Finance, South Africa, Supply Chain Finance, Sustainability, Technology, Trade Finance, Tradetech
African trade finance enters an exciting new phase

African trade finance enters an exciting new phase

It is often debated whether the reported existing trade finance gap, which over the last 3 years has oscillated between $100 billion and $120 billion, will diminish or whether the nature of illiquid, growth-focused, emerging market economies means that the gap will never truly close.

Michelle KnowlesAfrica, Articles, Coronavirus, Featured, Free Trade, Issue 12, Letters of Credit, Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Sibos, Supply Chain Finance, Trade Finance, Trade Finance Talks
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