Dr. Lungowe Matakala is a distinguished legal scholar, reform strategist, and governance expert with over two decades of pioneering leadership in advancing constitutionalism, public sector innovation, and institutional capacity building across Africa. Holding a PhD in Human Rights and Constitutional Law Reform from the University of Cambridge and an LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation from the University of Pretoria, she combines academic rigor with practical expertise to drive systemic reforms in governance, legal frameworks, and public administration.

As a trusted advisor to governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society, Dr. Matakala has spearheaded transformative initiatives in public sector governance, anti-corruption compliance, and institutional modernization. Her work aligns seamlessly with the mission of the Stresemann Innovation Group to implement far-reaching reforms across civil services, public sector entities, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs). She brings a proven track record of designing and executing capacity-building programs for ministries, parliaments, and regional bodies, ensuring alignment with international best practices in transparency, accountability, and service delivery.

Leadership in Public Sector Reforms & Contract Governance

Dr. Matakala’s expertise in government contract negotiation, management, and compliance positions her as a critical asset for the Stresemann Innovation Group’s objectives. Her academic mastery of contract law, coupled with her advisory roles for Zambia’s National Assembly and regional bodies, underscores her ability to craft legally sound, equitable agreements that mitigate risks and align with public interest goals. She has advised governments on high-stakes legal frameworks for infrastructure projects, public-private partnerships, and SOE governance, ensuring adherence to anti-corruption safeguards and human rights principles.

As Vice Chairperson of Zambia’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Governing Council, she has driven continental benchmarks for governance reforms, while her role on the African Union Steering Committee for Constitutional Amendments highlights her aptitude for institutional redesign. Her leadership as Dean of Law at the University of Zambia and founder of Beyond Research—a consultancy specializing in legal-institutional diagnostics—further demonstrates her capacity to align legal frameworks with strategic public sector outcomes.

Dr. Matakala brings unique proficiencies to SIG in Strengthening Public Contract Systems: Utilize her deep knowledge of contract law and negotiation to streamline government contracting processes, enhance procurement integrity, and resolve disputes in SOEs and civil service operations. Designing Anti-Corruption Frameworks: Integrate her award-winning work in compliance and governance (recognized by the UNIPGC Global Peace Award) to embed accountability mechanisms within reform agendas.

Advancing Gender-Responsive Reforms: Apply her pioneering gender mainstreaming initiatives to ensure inclusive policy implementation across public institutions. Building Institutional Resilience: Leverage her two decades of training programs for ministries, AU bodies, and UN agencies to foster a culture of innovation, ethics, and efficiency within reformed structures.

A seasoned orator and strategist, Dr. Matakala’s interdisciplinary approach bridges legal scholarship, policymaking, and operational execution—making her an indispensable partner for the Stresemann Innovation Group in achieving sustainable, equitable public sector transformation.
include the 2023 Global Peace, Leadership, and Excellence Award (UNIPGC) and accolades from Georgetown University and the University of Pretoria for her transformative impact on legal education and governance.