Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 21 years of experience in rural development and food security, the expert is a Senior Food, Agricultural Value Chains, and Policy Consultant. With extensive project involvement in international initiatives, particularly in West and Central Africa, the expert specializes in strategic planning, program management, and policy advice. Career highlights include leading projects with organizations such as the World Food Programme, achieving competitive market access for farmers, and securing funding from major donors. Responsibilities have included building partnerships, capacity building, and leading diverse teams in complex humanitarian and development contexts.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DEVCO-EU, Louis Dreyfus Foundation, and the Government of Canada. Involvement has encompassed project implementation, technical assistance, and capacity building in agricultural value chains and market access. These projects were regional in scope, focusing on supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing food security in West and Central Africa, specifically in countries like Mali and Chad.

Sectors and geographic focus

With a background in sectors including rural development, food security, humanitarian aid, emergency response, and agriculture, the expert has held roles such as Senior Programme Officer and Regional Advisor. Responsibilities have included strategic planning, project management, and policy advice. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise spans agricultural value chains, market access, and international cooperation. Worked across diverse projects involving both regional and country-specific initiatives in West and Central Africa, leveraging knowledge of local governance and cultural dynamics to enhance project outcomes. Geographic experience includes significant involvement in countries such as Niger, Senegal, Chad, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, contributing to regional development and food security initiatives.

Languages and education

Fluent in English and French, with Hausa as the mother tongue, the expert has utilized these language skills extensively in international and multilingual contexts, particularly in West and Central Africa. This proficiency has facilitated effective communication in diverse teams and with stakeholders across various projects and initiatives. The expert holds an Engineering Degree in Agronomy, equivalent to a Master’s, with a Certificate of Specialization in Rural Economy from the Institut National Agronomique in El-Harrach, Algeria, completed in 2004. Additionally, a Diploma in Earth Sciences and Agronomy was obtained from the University of Tiaret, Algeria, in 1999. The expert is also pursuing certification in the Economics of Agro-Food Value Chains with the Technical University of Munich.