RANMALEE GAMAGE
Applied economist with 15+ years of international experience in private sector development, SME capacity building, digital transformation, and ICT/AI policy across Asia and Africa. Led GIZ’s SME Sector Development Programme in Sri Lanka, expanding the portfolio from EUR 3.5M to EUR 9.2M (163% growth) and managing a team of 23 national and international staff, with donor reporting and partnership negotiation across the EU, BMZ, and the Government of Sri Lanka. Former ICT policy researcher at LIRNEasia with publications on broadband, mobile ownership, and telecom regulation; current research focuses on AI policy and adoption in emerging-market SMEs, including a forthcoming policy paper for a Global AI Governance organisation. Combines hands-on programme delivery with rigorous policy research — designing programmes that translate digital and AI policy into enterprise-level results.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- SME & private sector development: sector programme design, delivery, and scaling; value chain development in organic agriculture, sustainable tourism, and trade; public-private partnership design and negotiation (Vanilla Cultivation, Waste to Value, Maritime Operations Digitisation)
- Digital transformation & emerging technologies: blockchain-based agricultural traceability, big data analytics platforms, climate risk insurance and fintech application design, digital inclusion and technology adoption frameworks
- AI & ICT policy research: comparative policy analysis on AI adoption barriers in emerging markets; broadband, mobile, and telecom regulatory research across Asia and Africa (LIRNEasia)
- Programme & portfolio management: results-based management, logframe design, M&E systems and impact evaluation (baseline/endline), donor reporting to EU and BMZ standards, team leadership of 20+ professionals
- Research methods: econometric and regression analysis, impact evaluation design, survey design, comparative policy research, thematic analysis; SPSS, Excel, SAP, data visualisation
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Consultant — Digital Transformation & Digital Policy — Self-employed (Partita IVA), Italy
August 2023 – present
- Lead comparative policy analysis on AI adoption barriers in emerging markets; forthcoming policy paper on government policy and AI skills adoption in African SMEs (Global AI Governance organisation, 2026)
- Advise clients on digital inclusion policy, SME development frameworks, and programme evaluation
- Conducting qualitative research on misinformation among the Sri Lankan diaspora community in Italy
Head of SME Sector Development Programme — GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Sri Lanka
October 2020 – February 2023
- Led EUR 9.2M SME sector development programme spanning organic agriculture, sustainable tourism, and trade development
- Expanded programme scope from EUR 3.5M to EUR 9.2M (163% growth) through donor engagement and concept development
- Managed public-private partnership portfolio: Vanilla Cultivation, Maritime Operations Digitisation, Waste to Value Management, and blockchain-based agricultural traceability
- Oversaw baseline/endline impact evaluations and technical reporting to the EU and BMZ; negotiated strategic partnerships with the EU, BMZ, and Government of Sri Lanka ministries
- Led and managed a team of 23 national and international staff
Team Leader / Technical Advisor — Digital Transformation — GIZ, Sri Lanka
March 2018 – September 2020
- Managed a 6-person team coordinating digital transformation and SME development projects
- Designed climate risk insurance applications and big data analytics platforms for evidence-based decision-making
- Introduced blockchain-based traceability for organic agriculture value chains, adopted in the subsequent programme phase
- Designed the sustainable tourism component aligned with national development strategies
Associate Brand Strategist & Technical Writer — GTN Technologies, Sri Lanka
August 2015 – February 2018
- Led digital marketing strategy, technical documentation, and communication strategies for market trading applications serving regional audiences
Junior Researcher — LIRNEasia (ICT policy think tank), South Asia and Africa
January 2009 – October 2014
- Conducted quantitative and qualitative research on ICT policy and digital inclusion across Asia and Africa
- Co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article and two SSRN working papers on broadband, technology adoption, and telecom regulation
- Produced policy papers, reports, and presentations informing governments and the public; facilitated ICT policy research conferences supporting regional policy dialogue
EDUCATION
Master’s in Economics and Digital Policy (commencing 2026) — Università degli Studi di Trieste, 2026–2028
Executive Master of Science in Strategic Marketing — Asia e University, 2017 (CGPA 3.20/4.00)
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management — University of London, 2015
Professional Diploma in Digital Strategy — Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK, 2015
PUBLICATIONS & CURRENT RESEARCH
Peer-reviewed journal article
- Stork, C., Calandro, E., & Gamage, R. (2014). The future of broadband in Africa. Info, 16(1), 76–93.
Working papers & policy research
- Gamage, R. (2026, forthcoming). How Government Policy Can Drive AI Skills Adoption in African SMEs. Policy paper prepared for a Global AI Governance organisation.
- Lokanathan, S., & Gamage, R. (2013). Do location and gender matter for mobile ownership? SSRN Working Paper.
- Zuhyle, S., & Gamage, R. (2011). International voice tariffs in South Asia. SSRN Working Paper.
Blog: tech-economist.com — analysis on AI policy, SME digitalisation, and development economics
LANGUAGES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Languages: English (native/fluent) · Sinhala (native) · Italian (A2, in progress)
- Citizenship & residency: Sri Lankan national; Italian residency (citizenship in process); EU-based and available for remote and field assignments
- Professional registration: Italian Partita IVA (independent consulting)