Melaku Geboye Desta

Melaku Geboye Desta is a lawyer by background and, until he joined the ECA, a university professor of law with over 30 years of expertise in international trade law, African regional integration, and natural resources governance. His career blends high-level academia—having attained the rank of full Professor of International Economic Law in the UK—with over nine years of practical experience at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

His extensive background includes advising on international agreements, serving as an arbitrator in major state-corporate disputes, leading African governance review processes, and designing and delivering capacity-building programs.

He holds a PhD in International Economic Law and has published widely on international and African economic law, with a particular focus on agriculture and natural resources.