Open to opportunities

Cyprian Lukhele

@cyprianlukhele

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Trade and operations executive driving growth through customer strategy, customs, and complex regulatory execution.

Eswatini

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a strategic leadership role where I can drive operational and trade growth, strengthen customer and stakeholder outcomes, and execute complex regulatory initiatives—using performance management to achieve and exceed targets.

I’m a strategic leader with blended experience across trade, sales, operations, customs management, and customer/debt management. I’m known for high integrity, clear thinking in non-routine situations, and for translating strategy into measurable execution while keeping performance and accountability at the center.

Currently, as a Trade Expert – Commodities, I source and distribute food commodities from global suppliers for resale across Africa, driving market penetration across regions for “good margins.” I navigate complex regulatory environments by forging strong partnerships and focusing on measurable results—working with commodities such as maize, sugar, sugar beans, and energy commodities.

My previous leadership roles strengthened how I build growth: as Chief Operations Officer of National Maize Corporation, I improved market position and financial growth while promoting farmer development to support food security. Earlier, as Director Customs, Border Operations at the Eswatini Revenue Authority, I led strategic direction for operations and people (including a division of 155 staff and revenue targets of ~E2.5 billion per annum), and helped advance coordinated border management and trade facilitation outcomes, including a Border Management Strategy and World Bank–backed funding. I bring a strong execution mindset—performance reporting, internal controls, and business process transformation (including ISO 9001 preparation)—with leadership built on unleashing potential through inspirational management.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Trade Expert - Commodities

Current

Talana Agricultural Investment Group

May 2025 - Present (1 year 1 month)

Sourced and distributed food commodities (maize, sugar, sugar beans, and energy commodities) from global suppliers for resale across Africa. Drove market penetration by unlocking trade opportunities and navigating complex regulatory environments through partnerships.

International Trade Regulatory Compliance Partnership Development Market Penetration Supply Chain Operations

Managing Director

Moments Business

Apr 2023 - Apr 2025 (2 years)

Led the day-to-day operations of a family business involved in goods clearing and logistics. Developed strategic direction and optimized resource use to improve operational performance.

Operations Operations Logistics Management Strategic Planning

Chief Operations Officer

National Maize Corporation

Apr 2017 - Mar 2023 (5 years 11 months)

Improved the corporation’s market position and helped achieve financial growth through strategic goal setting, customer relationship building, and business opportunity identification. Promoted farmer development to increase production for national food security and ensured an effective market framework for locally grown grains and affordable customer supplies.

Strategic Planning Market Development Stakeholder Management Customer Relationship Management Contract Negotiation

Director Customs & Border Ops

Eswatini Revenue Authority

Oct 2014 - Mar 2017 (2 years 5 months)

Led overall management of the customs and border operations division, overseeing operations and managing human resources and assets at strategic level. Reported directly to the Commissioner Customs & Excise.

Customs Administration Border Operations Strategic Leadership Human Resource Management Asset Management Operational Governance Compliance Oversight

Operations Manager - Border

Eswatini Revenue Authority

Apr 2011 - Sep 2014 (3 years 5 months)

Managed day-to-day border operations, including station-level human resources and budget preparation in collaboration with the Director Border. Contributed to the development and implementation of organizational strategies, policies, and practices to ensure operational effectiveness.

Border Operations budget development Human Resource Management Station Level Leadership

Head of Sales (Swazi MTN)

Swazi MTN

Aug 2008 - Mar 2011 (2 years 7 months)

Developed and implemented segmented corporate sales for Swazi MTN, driving sales uptake and new business growth of more than 300%. Built and rolled out the customer care strategy and transformed the MTN call centre from a cost centre to a profit centre, reducing drop calls from 35% to less than 5%.

B2B Sales Strategy Corporate Sales Segmentation performance reporting Stakeholder Management

Client Relations Manager

Swazi MTN

Apr 2004 - Jul 2008 (4 years 3 months)

Drew up and implemented the customer management policy for Swazi MTN and ensured positive customer relations across contact points. Managed escalations, sectional budgets, customer surveys, staff customer service capability, and service level agreements with customer service providers.

Customer Relationship Management Customer Management Escalation Handling SLA Management Survey Budget Management

Credit and Administration Manager

Bradlows Eswatini

Oct 1999 - Mar 2004 (4 years 5 months)

Managed the entire credit function, including collection and follow-up on delinquent customers, credit vetting and approval, and advising senior management on changes required to meet market conditions. Managed the debtors book to maximise business-unit liquidity and supported staff development and repeat business for credit customers.

Credit Control Collections Management Debt Management Liquidity Management Risk Assessment Staff Development

Salaries Supervisor

Royal Swazi National Airways

Jun 1995 - Jul 1997 (2 years 1 month)

Supervised payroll-related activities by ensuring airline stations were paid on time and accurately in accordance with company procedures. Provided accounts administration support across operational stations to maintain payment compliance.

Payroll Administration Record keeping