Nelson is a visionary leader with a distinguished career spanning academia, government, and international organisations.
With a solid background in chemistry and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Nelson has excelled in various roles, including Deputy Director-General at the Directorate on Intelligence and Security in Botswana, Founding Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Knowledge, and Technology, and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science, and Technology. He is currently a Fellow of the Botswana Academy of Sciences (FBAS), the African Academy of Sciences (FAAS), the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK (FRSC), and the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Science (IVA).
His exceptional leadership skills, strategic planning expertise, and strong communication abilities have been instrumental in driving transformative change and fostering stakeholder engagement.
Nelson’s extensive experience in program management, policy development, advocacy, and governance has made him a respected advisor on science, technology and innovation matters at both the national and international levels.
Nelson’s commitment to good governance practices shines through his roles as a founding CEO, Executive Director, and Board Member where he shaped strategic maps for effective governance and performance evaluations. With a strong academic background and his completion of the 18-month Rhodes University Assessors’ Course, Nelson has honed skills in providing feedback, mentoring, and workplace assessment.
As the Executive Director of The African Academy of Sciences (AAS), he played a pivotal role in promoting research and development initiatives across Africa. Nelson’s passion for mentorship and coaching is evident through his involvement in various advisory roles and his dedication to fostering the next generation of scientists. His dedication to advancing science,technology, and knowledge-based economies has made him a catalyst for positive change and a respected advocate for Africa-led research and innovation.