Mfundisi Ncube
Dubai
Summary
Results-driven Compliance Manager and Certified Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Specialist with over 15 years in global trade compliance, export controls, economic sanctions and risk management. Developed compliance programs for diverse sectors across 40+ countries in the Middle East and Africa. Expertise in regulatory engagement and multi-jurisdictional risk management.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
KYC & Compliance Lead
Nexova Direct Consultancy
Dubai
10.2024 - 01.2026
- Lead and manage an enterprise-wide KYC, AML, economic sanctions, and trade compliance program.
- Conduct customer due diligence (CDD/EDD), screening, classification, and licensing assessments.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate financial crime, sanctions, and export control risks.
- Led a project team to update the KYC policy and develop a standardized KYC process flow, achieving 97% documentation and data accuracy, and reducing turnaround time from 5 days to 3 days.
- Conducted compliance risk assessments to identify KYC, AML, sanctions, and trade compliance risks, implementing mitigation strategies, and leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with international trade laws, export controls (EAR/ITAR), and internal policies.
- Collaborate with regulators and cross-functional teams to support compliant business growth.
- Developed and delivered compliance training programs on policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, increasing employee participation from 85% to 97%, and reinforcing a compliance culture.
- Trained and developed a cross-functional team of 20+ staff on trade compliance requirements, resulting in a significant reduction in compliance breaches.
- Coordinated cross-functional collaboration with Finance, Legal, Trade, Supply Chain, and Business Units to ensure enterprise-wide compliance, and facilitate market entry into three new regions.
Trade Compliance Consultant
Shupavu Trade Compliance Consulting
09.2023 - 10.2024
- Founded Shupavu Trade Compliance Consulting to advise organizations on multi-jurisdictional trade compliance, export controls, sanctions, and regulatory risk management, enhancing their compliance frameworks.
Trade Compliance Director - Middle East Africa (MEA)
ZTE Corporation
Dubai
08.2017 - 08.2023
- Led the design and implementation of a best-in-class Export Compliance Program across 30 MEA countries within the telecommunications and technology organization as part of the regional executive leadership team.
- Provided strategic guidance on Export Controls (EAR, ITAR), Economic Sanctions (OFAC, UN, EU, UK, Australia), Ethics, and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC).
- Served as primary MEA liaison to the U.S. Department of Justice Independent Monitor (2017-2022) and U.S. Department of Commerce BIS Special Compliance Coordinator (2018-2023) under dual concurrent monitorships, supporting the evaluation and enhancement of ZTE's export compliance program.
- Advised executive leadership on geopolitical risks impacting trade compliance, supply chains, and sourcing decisions.
- Conducted risk assessments, implemented risk mitigation strategies, and performed third-party due diligence, supporting internal and external audits.
- Led enhanced due diligence and screening, end-user declaration reviews, ECCN / HTS classification support and licensing requirements.
- Contributed to the successful removal of U.S Department of Commerce Denial Order (2018), restoring access to U.S technology and software critical to operations, safeguarding customer contracts, and preventing millions of dollars in further losses.
- Played a key role in the successful conclusion of the court appointed monitor in 2022 with no adverse findings, saving the company millions of dollars in penalties, monitor fees and related expenses.
- Delivered USD 200 000,00 in cost savings by serving as in-house Export Controls Compliance trainer for MEA on Incoterms, Red Flags, Diversion Risks, EAR, Sanctions, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption, eliminating the need for external service providers.
- Led the creation of a MEA Centre of Excellence, developing and mentoring local trade compliance champions, delivering USD 150 000,00 in annual cost savings through embedding preventive controls at source.
- Directed enterprise-wide export controls and sanctions compliance across UAE, GCC, US, EU, and UK regimes, supporting USD 2 - 3 billion in annual trade with zero material enforcement actions.
Region Trade Compliance Manager - Middle East Africa (MEA)
Weatherford International Ltd.
Dubai
07.2010 - 06.2017
- Reported directly to the Chief Compliance Officer and led the design and implementation of Export Compliance Program across 25 Middle East and Africa countries within the multinational oilfield services organization.
- Provided strategic guidance on Export Controls (EAR/ITAR), Economic Sanctions (OFAC, EU, UN, UK), Ethics and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC) compliance.
- Contributed to the rollout of an award-winning Export Compliance Program across 20+ MEA countries, executing 15+ risk-based audits, conducting 20+ site visits, and training 250+ employees.
- Conducted risk assessments and mitigation with Supply Chain, Operations, Business, and Legal teams to ensure regulatory compliance and minimize operational risk.
- Supported HTS/ECCN classifications and license applications, facilitating seamless customs compliance.
- Delivered strategic trade compliance training with Human Capital, onboarding new employees and embedding compliance in business, achieving 95% completion rate.
- Represented MEA in liaising with the U.S. DOJ Independent Monitor for the FCPA Settlement, enhancing company's compliance program and achieving Settlement resolution, positioning the company for profitability.
- Appointed dual role managing Sub-Saharan Africa logistics and trade compliance (2013-2014), integrating export controls, sanctions, and customs compliance across 15+ countries, improving shipment efficiency and reducing regulatory risk by 30%.
Group Customs Consultant
Savino Del Bene SA (Pty) Ltd.
Johannesburg
03.2007 - 06.2010
- Provided expert in-house customs guidance, ensuring compliance and optimizing trade flows through effective management of classification, licensing, audits and internal controls.
- Liaised with customs brokers, logistics providers, trade associations, government departments, and external consultants, fostering strong relationships to optimize import and export trade flows.
- Achieved 35% faster customs clearance with 99% accuracy and zero penalties, while maintaining 100% on-time customs declaration filings.
Customs Broker
Kuehne + Nagel
Johannesburg
03.2006 - 03.2007
- Oversaw import and export activities, ensuring regulatory compliance while providing expert customs brokerage guidance to enhance operational efficiency.
Education
Higher National Diploma - International Trade and Transport
Institute of Commercial Management
Bournemouth, England01.2004
Skills
- Global trade compliance
- Export controls (EAR/ITAR)
- ECCN and HTS classification
- Regulatory licensing requirements
- Embargoes and economic sanctions (OFAC, EU, UN, UK)
- Ethics
- Customs compliance
- Anti-bribery
- Anticorruption
- Financial crime
- Know your customer (KYC)
- Anti-money laundering (AML)
- Customer due diligence (CDD)
- Enhanced due diligence (EDD)
- screening
- Risk assessments
- Regulatory engagement
- Audits
- Monitorships
- Compliance program implementation and scaling
- Compliance training
References
Available upon request
Recognition And Awards
- Global Lex Falcon Awards - Legal Category (Above 10 Years), Awarded for impactful contributions to the Legal & Compliance industry in the Middle East & Africa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 03/01/22
- Passion Vista Magazine - Certificate of Appreciation, Recognized as a 'Man Leader to Look Up To in 2022' for providing hope, leadership, and inspiration, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12/01/22
- Achieved Industry Recognition, Contributed to the team that was honoured as a highly commended Export Controls Team at the 2017 World Export Controls Review Awards.
Professional Certifications
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (AMLS), Global Compliance Institute, Australia, 2025
- Certified Compliance Manager (CCM), Global Compliance Institute, Australia, 2024
- Sanctions Compliance Specialist (SCS), Global Compliance Institute, Australia, 2024
- International Trade and Transport, Higher National Diploma, Institute of Commercial Management, Bournemouth, England, 2004
- Essential Import & Export, School of Shipping, South Africa, 2013
Soft Skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Leadership and influence
- Active listening and clear communication
- Analytical thinking
- Innovative
Timeline
KYC & Compliance Lead
Nexova Direct Consultancy
10.2024 - 01.2026
Trade Compliance Consultant
Shupavu Trade Compliance Consulting
09.2023 - 10.2024
Trade Compliance Director - Middle East Africa (MEA)
ZTE Corporation
08.2017 - 08.2023
Region Trade Compliance Manager - Middle East Africa (MEA)
Weatherford International Ltd.
07.2010 - 06.2017
Group Customs Consultant
Savino Del Bene SA (Pty) Ltd.
03.2007 - 06.2010
Customs Broker
Kuehne + Nagel
03.2006 - 03.2007
Higher National Diploma - International Trade and Transport
Institute of Commercial Management