Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 45 years of experience, the expert specializes in agribusiness development, policy design, and sector reform. Career highlights include leading international projects that focus on private sector collaboration, value chain development, and the formalization of agribusiness. Responsibilities have included roles such as Value Chain Expert and Team Leader, delivering technical assistance and strategic planning. The expert has successfully implemented projects funded by the EU and USAID, enhancing public-private partnerships and developing training programs. Accomplishments include designing training for business development and connecting businesses to donor funding, demonstrating strong leadership and strategic expertise across diverse geographic regions.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as USAID, EU, CDE, CFC, and various bilateral donors. The expert's involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in agribusiness development. The thematic focus has been on agribusiness, private sector development, and agriculture sector reform. Projects have been both regional and national in scope, taking place in countries like Malawi, Liberia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Fiji. These initiatives often involve strategic planning, value chain development, and fostering public-private partnerships.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in multiple sectors, including agribusiness, fisheries and aquaculture, SME development, and program management, the expert has held roles such as Value Chain Expert, Team Leader, and Agribusiness Expert. Responsibilities have included focusing on policy design and strategic planning. The expert's cross-cutting expertise includes financial analysis and business development training. Geographic experience spans regional and country-specific projects across Africa, Asia, and Europe, emphasizing public-private partnerships and market-oriented value chain development. The expert has deep familiarity with regional development issues, particularly in agribusiness and private sector development, with recurring involvement in countries like Malawi and Tanzania, highlighting expertise in local governance and cultural dynamics.

Languages and education

The expert is a native Dutch speaker and fluent in English, with proficiency in French, German, and Swahili, and basic knowledge of Spanish. These language skills have been utilized in various international contexts, including in-country work and collaboration within multilingual teams across diverse regions such as Europe, Africa, and Asia. The expert holds an MSc in Social Science with a major in Development Economics from the Catholic University Nijmegen, Netherlands, completed in 1982.