Farewell to Diego Masera: A true Visionary, Leader and Humanitarian

It was more than just a farewell. Last week, as ambassadors, government leaders, donors, partners and colleagues gathered at the UNIDO offices in Pretoria, the mood was one of gratitude, respect, and celebration. They came together to honour Diego Masera, UNIDO’s Regional Representative for Southern Africa—a man whose time in the region has been defined by vision, leadership, and a very human touch.

When Diego arrived in South Africa in October 2023, he brought with him decades of experience in sustainable energy, climate action, and industrial development from across 50 countries. Yet his impact here went beyond numbers and technical expertise. Under his leadership, UNIDO’s Southern Africa Regional Office grew its portfolio tenfold, driving progress in renewable energy, circular economy models, eco-industrial parks, hydrogen innovation, and industrial policy at both national and SADC levels. But as Diego himself reminded everyone with humility: “These numbers… reflect lives impacted, systems strengthened, and industrial transformation accelerated.”

His colleagues and partners echoed that sentiment.

Thomas Castrel, General Representative of Flanders in Southern Africa, praised Diego’s leadership in driving Flanders-funded projects on climate adaptation and low-carbon industrial spaces—both seen as milestones in South Africa’s sustainability journey.

Gerhard Fourie, Chief Director of Green Industries at the dtic, highlighted Diego’s ability to build trust and partnership: “Diego’s leadership has strengthened the partnership between UNIDO and the dtic, and fostered collaboration on numerous successful projects that have left a lasting impact on our shared mission.”

What makes Diego’s story resonate is not only his professional achievements but also his journey as a person. From his beginnings in Argentina, to working with informal artisans in Nairobi, to shaping global industrial policy, his path has always been about people as much as progress. With a touch of humour at the farewell, he reflected: “I had anticipated that the passage of time would bestow upon me a profound wisdom; however… it appears that such enlightenment has yet to manifest.”

Now, Diego turns a new page. Swapping policy briefs for paintbrushes, he will dedicate more time to his lifelong passion for art—sketching, sculpting, and painting. His upcoming exhibition at Nirox Sculpture Park promises to be a blend of creativity, social justice, and perhaps even a hint of bureaucracy-inspired abstraction.

Though his official UNIDO chapter in Southern Africa has closed, his presence here will not. As one colleague fondly remarked, “We are glad South Africa remains home to you. And we’ll be waiting for that long-promised braai.”

Diego leaves behind a legacy of leadership, vision, and above all, humanity—qualities that have shaped not only projects and policies, but people’s lives.