Work with IFC and Worldbank, consulting firms, private businesses and non-profit organizations on international Agri-Food growth & opportunities, SME's, emerging markets, business growth strategy, new technology acceptance, public-private partnerships, development contracting, sustainability, ESG, trade.

AgriFood business sustainability, Ecosystem Services, Agro-Eco Tourism and Wildlife Investment Advisory

Senior Adviser for Agriculture and Food Investment - Led partnerships with development partners, investors, and governments to sustainably intensify agriculture productivity in 15 African countries. I built and nurtured strong, productive relationships with key strategic multinational agribusiness and food companies. Apart from collaborating with Venture Capital, Private Equity, Sovereign Wealth, and Pension Funds to invest in African agribusiness, I lead fund-raising efforts for the institution for the focal area. I served as a strategic adviser to the CEO of the National Agricultural Exports Board (NAEB) and the primary coordinator of all agri-food exports from Rwanda for the Ministry of Agriculture. Besides working closely with TBI Country and Regional teams and Inclusive Growth Practice, I facilitate the designing of the new strategy and institutional restructuring of NAEB to double exports by 2024. I oversaw the Kigali Wholesale Produce Market feasibility study, design process and chaired the steering multi-stakeholder steering team. I am integral in creating the GlobalGro Agri Export Innovation Hub, working to build new SMEs in Ag-Tech and Food-Tech and accelerate the growth rate of international business and trade. In addition to orchestrating the TBI launch into agriculture and the institutes positioning among key development partners including AGRA, IFAD, AFDB, I coordinated with farming, exporters, and importers, to increase Rwanda's exports, including dairy and livestock. I collaborated with RDB to strengthen outreach to promote investments in Rwanda’s agri-food export value chains - coffee, tea, horticulture, livestock, value-added product, cannabis. Additionally, I advised government and development partners on export value chains and agrifood investment in Rwanda, working closely with RDB, MINAGRI, MINICOM, and others.

I founded Agribusiness consulting firm operating in emerging markets and the US, offering agribusiness consulting services, developing food and agribusiness investment opportunities, and working to provide technology and innovation transfer opportunities. I was responsible for seed, biotechnology, IP, value chains, investments, emerging market growth, new business development, B2B, and PPP partnerships. Apart from conducting International Dairy and Beef analysis and designing the strategy for large US dairy and beef operators, I oversaw market investments in Dairy and Beef, international business and trade while managing CSR and third party advisory and audit. I partnered with farming and food-value chain ventures, including seed, food production, livestock, horticulture, and forestry. I also administeredCommunity development, PPPs World Bank, IFC, agri-business ventures, non-profits, and universities. Additionally, I was responsible for business across Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central America.

I served as the CEO of the CGIAR Consortium, responsible for carrying out the leadership of Consortium head office and 15 member centers around the world, with over 8000 employees and 64 donor multilateral and bilateral donors, governments, and private foundations. Apart from facilitating the board and representing the Consortium in external relations and forum, including funding raising drives, I oversaw the restructuring of the CG System, Consortium Office and relocation from Rome to Montpellier. I developed TORs for key positions and recruited key leaders and experts for the Consortium office. Besides being integral in designing and executing the Strategy and Results Framework (SRF), I was also instrumental in developing and formal ratification of a new Treaty to form the CGIAR as a multilateral development agency vs the loose affiliation it was. I co-designed the system-wide Intellectual Assets Policy. I also built formal relationships between the CGIAR and the AUC in the "Dublin Initiative."

I spearheaded strategy development and execution of Pioneer's sustainable development activities, including creating and leadership of strategic partnerships. I created trait and seed products, introduced sustainable and innovative seed systems, including business partnerships and technology acceptance, and biotechnology affairs. Apart from being responsible for developing business initiatives and value chain partnerships, I collaborated with international and local business teams, or where necessary, independently in new markets to ensure proposal preparation, implementation, evaluation, replication, and scale-up. Besides establishing strong, productive relationships with international and local partners, I was integral in representing Pioneer and DuPont and advocating for favorable agricultural development policies and resource commitments. I also facilitated Pioneer’s citizenship and CSR initiatives, including education and capacity building.

I oversaw the supply of quality seed for each of the African markets, meeting current and future market requirements, including local and international research, sales, finance, HR, IT, regulatory, etc. Apart from managing five production facilities and locations in Africa with 120+ full-time staff, I supervised contractors for the construction of a US$10MM Production plant at Rosslyn, South Africa, ensured resources in place to successfully implement the supply and strategic, operational plans. I recruited and managed all key personnel and established a structure to manage operations across multiple shifts. Besides orchestrating internal relations with global and regional entities, I offered leadership to production management within the region and globally and designed a network of contacts within Pioneer worldwide as well as with industry and governments. I also provided Value chain linkages for feed and livestock producers.

I served as Head of production operations in Zimbabwe and South Africa and ensured the availability of resources to implement the supply and strategic operational plans successfully. Besides overseeing 30-80 permanent staff, shift workers, and out-grower relations, I orchestrated internal relations with global and regional entities, as well as external relations with governmental and international organizations, agricultural industry, and service vendors. I supervised the supply of quality commercial and parent (foundation) seed for South Africa, Zimbabwe, and African markets (exports), meeting current and future market requirements. I also offered leadership to production management within the regionand developed a network of contacts within Pioneer worldwide and the industry. Additionally, I provided Value chain linkages for feed and livestock producers. Part of the executive team for South Africa, and the supply chain leadership for Africa, Middle-East, Asia, Pacific.

I served as Head of production operations in Zimbabwe and ensured the availability of resources toimplement the supply and strategic operational plans successfully. Besides overseeing 30-80 permanent staff, shift workers, and out-grower relations, I orchestrated internal relations with global and regional entities, as well as external relations with governmental and international organizations, agricultural industry, and service vendors. I supervised the supply of quality commercial and parent (foundation) seed to Zimbabwe, and East African export markets, meeting current and future market requirements. I also offered leadership to production management within the region and developed a network of contacts within Pioneer worldwide and the industry. Additionally, I provided Value chain linkages for feed and livestock producers. Part of the executive team for Zimbabwe.

I was responsible for the sales growth and maintenance of fertilizer and chemicals in the Mazoe valley for over 180 commercial farm clients average size of 1500 ha per client. Besides facilitating agronomic and technical support of key customers, I secured new customers and gathered competitive intelligence on opposition activity, farming issues, market and customer data. I collaborated and managed dealers and co-operatives to aid growth in sales while ensuring timely payment and negotiation of terms.

I was responsible for directing all the resources for the farming, processing, and dehydration plant and the exports of FMCG products to the European market. I also oversaw 60 Hectares of intensive horticulture production under drip-irrigation while managing over 50 staff with up to 300 shift workers. I handled a dehydration facility with certification for exports to Europe Additionally, I achieved ISO, HAACP, GlobalGAP process management certification.

I was responsible for the management, operational and capital resource planning, implementation, running and marketing of all enterprises on the Umritsur and Marden Farms (Around 2500 ha, including overhead irrigation systems) Managed around 160 permanent farm and factory workers and up to 300 seasonal workers in order to meet company budgets and objectives. Participate in the EDGRO management team, plan and maintain growth, assist enterprises in other company locations as required with the sharing of resources, management skills, etc. Built horticulture export pack-house for export to UK high-street supermarkets. Build modern dairy parlour, and beef feedlot, with handling facilities. Supported design and early stage build of the Marden Dam. Established forest and citrus. Brick production.