Iconic Business Woman
Iconic Business Woman
Hello, I'm Caroline Vanqa
Hello, I'm Caroline Vanqa
Group CEO @ Tola International | MOC Alumni | Non-Executive Director | Advisory Board Member | SAFDA – Treasurer General | BBCBE National Dep. Chairperson: Women.
About Me
Shaping the Future
Caroline Nthabeleng Vanqa is a high-impact visionary and strategic leader with over 13 years as a corporate banker with a footprint in global institutions like ABSA, Royal Bank of Scotland, and BMW Financial Services. As the Group CEO of Tola International, she is currently pioneering Africa’s first Infrastructure Asset Management Automation Ecosystem, driving technological innovation in transport and energy infrastructure. Caroline seamlessly bridges the gap between complex financial structuring and large-scale industrial operations. She is widely recognised for her ability to navigate the intersection of township-based entrepreneurship and international business relations, particularly between Africa and Australia.
Idea & Concept
Execution
Caroline N Vanqa
My Expertise
Building new Startups from ground up.
Project Management
Market Research
Project Management
Public Speaking
New Business Development
Resource Management
Planning Budgeting & Forecasting
SHEQ
Project Management
Mergers and Acquisitions
Financial Engineering
Process Improvement
Communication
My Experiences
Awesome Journey
Africa’s infrastructure landscape has long been fragmented systems operating in isolation, data existing in silos, and inefficiencies multiplying across sectors. Caroline challenged this model. She introduced an ecosystem approach where different sectors communicate, collaborate, and create synergies.
Transport systems integrate with energy networks. Industrial automation aligns with logistics. Infrastructure becomes interconnected. This approach not only enhances efficiency but also builds resilience, ensuring that systems can adapt to changing demands and withstand sector-specific disruptions. Leadership That Balances Strategy and Humanity
Tola International
Reversing decades of neglected infrastructure through the continent’s first integrated Asset Management Automation Ecosystem.
2025 - CURRENT
Tola World
We have grown our range of product offerings, associated fleet and fuel management services to become specialists in fuel, fleet and maintenance management in South African and beyond.
2016 - CURRENT
Corporate Background and Leadership Roles
With over 13 years of experience in banking, Caroline has worked with ABSA Bank, BMW Financial Services, and the Royal Bank of Scotland (UK). Beyond the corporate world, she has taken on influential leadership roles, serving as Cosmo City Chairperson for the Women’s Forum (2018), a Member of Youth Parliament SA (2016), and Deputy Chairperson of the Community Advisory Board for Esizayo Research Unit (2022). In 2024, she was appointed as Executive Member of the Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) Women’s Chapter and National Treasurer of the South African Fire Development Association (SAFDA).
2017 - CURRENT
Building The Future
Leadership & Advocacy
Caroline is a passionate champion for gender equity. Her former role as a technical facilitator for the WomX Women In Business Accelerator and tenure as Chairperson of the Cosmo City Women’s Forum underscore her commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. She is a sought-after global speaker, notably contributing to the Africa Down Under conference in Australia, where she advocates for sustainable investment and bilateral trade.
Core Expertise Infrastructure:
Strategic engagements with Industry players in Mining, Petrochemical, Infrastructure development, Transport Logistics, Fleet management technology and mining fuel supply chains.
Financial Strategy:
Deep expertise in asset management, financial risk, and business development originating from a decade-plus career in banking.
Governance & Leadership:
Serving as a Non-Executive Director, National Dep.Chair (Women) BBCBE and Treasurer General for the South African Fire Development Association (SAFDA).
Economic Development:
Specialist in township economy revitalization and small business acceleration.
