Vahini Naidu is the Programme Coordinator of the Trade for Development Programme at the South Centre, the intergovernmental organization of developing countries. A lawyer, trade negotiator, and former diplomat, she advises developing countries and their groupings on trade negotiations and strategy in Geneva and in capitals. She leads the South Centre's work on WTO reform, industrial policy, trade and climate, services, and digital trade. She also contributes to the centre's expanding work on green industrialization and digital governance. She was previously a trade negotiator with South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry, covering the SADC, Tripartite FTA, AfCFTA, and WTO negotiations, and later represented South Africa at its Permanent Mission to the WTO, where she coordinated the African Group and served as its focal point for services and e-commerce.