Ayabonga Cawe is a Johannesburg-based development economist, columnist, radio presenter, photographer, and activist. He currently serves as the Chief Commissioner of the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) of South Africa.

In his role at ITAC, Cawe is responsible for fostering economic growth and development, promoting investment and employment, and administering international trade measures to protect domestic industries.
Beyond his duties at ITAC, Cawe hosts the "#PowerBusiness" show on PowerFM and writes regular columns for publications such as Daily Maverick and Business Day.

He also served as the Economic Justice Manager at Oxfam South Africa, focusing on policy advocacy and research.
Cawe holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree, achieved with distinction, in Development Theory and Policy from the University of the Witwatersrand.

He has actively participated in various policy research, advocacy, and advisory engagements across sectors such as agriculture, rail, urban design, and labor market policy.
His diverse professional background underscores a strong commitment to economic development, policy advocacy, and public discourse in South Africa.