Lethu Collen Masango is an urban planner with over 15 years of professional experience in the built environment. He joined the World Bank in 2019 as an Urban Economist, based in Pretoria, South Africa. His areas of responsibility include technical advisory to the Cities Support Program of the South African Urban Program, and co-leading the Economic Development Component. This includes assistance to the country’s 8 metros on economic strategy formulation, business reforms and township economic development. Lethu leads the Smart Cities Program in South Africa, implemented in 4 metros, in partnership with the DBSA. Other assignments he is involved in, include the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program and Circular Economy through SWM in SA.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Lethu worked in the City of Johannesburg, serving in key positions in the departments of Economic Development, Housing and Development Planning.
Lethu holds a Master's Degree in Development Planning from the University of the Witwatersrand.