Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 44 years of experience in agribusiness and international agricultural development, the expert is highly qualified in agricultural value chain facilitation, rural development, and SME strengthening. Career highlights include leading USAID projects, facilitating over $2 million in private capital investment, and creating 484 full-time jobs. Previously held roles such as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Value Chain Specialist, the expert has managed large enterprises, developed export markets, and provided technical assistance and capacity building across Southern Africa, East Africa, Afghanistan, and Myanmar.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with USAID on international development initiatives such as the GEEL project in Somalia, the VC-RD program in Myanmar, and the RADP-S and FAIDA programs in Afghanistan. Responsibilities have included project implementation, technical assistance, capacity building, and value chain facilitation. These projects focused on agriculture, SME development, and rural economic growth, with a regional and sector-specific scope in Southern Africa, East Africa, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, aiming to enhance sustainable income and productivity for local farmers and agribusinesses.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in various sectors including rural development, micro-finance, monitoring and evaluation, food processing and safety, land and soil management, and SME development, the expert has held roles such as Chief Operating Officer, Senior Value Chain Specialist, and Value Chain Advisor. Responsibilities have included project implementation, strategic planning, and capacity building. The expert's interdisciplinary knowledge includes integrating financial practices in agriculture and developing sustainable value chains. The geographic scope of work spans Southern Africa, East Africa, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, focusing on enhancing agricultural productivity and rural economic growth. Extensive geographic experience includes working in countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Somaliland, South Africa, the UK, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with deep familiarity with regional development issues and cultural dynamics, particularly in Southern Africa.

Languages and education

With fluency in English, the expert has utilized this competence extensively in international development work across Southern Africa, East Africa, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, facilitating effective communication in diverse, multilingual teams and with international stakeholders. The expert holds a Master's Degree in Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development, and Extension from the University of the Free State in South Africa and a National Diploma in Animal Production, Crop Production, Farm Management, and Farm Mechanization from Blackfordby Agricultural College in Zimbabwe.