Key skills and expertise

With 41 years of experience, the expert specializes in natural resource economics, forest products, and value chain development. Leadership roles have included managing international projects with organizations such as FAO and CIFOR, focusing on enhancing non-wood forest products for food security. The expert excels in project management, policy analysis, and capacity building, having successfully coordinated regional initiatives across Central Africa. Responsibilities have involved providing technical guidance and fostering collaboration with governments and stakeholders, contributing significantly to rural development and poverty alleviation.

Project experience and donor exposure

Bringing extensive experience in international development cooperation, the expert has collaborated with donors such as the African Development Bank, the German government, and USAID. Involvement in these projects has included coordinating and managing initiatives aimed at enhancing non-wood forest products for food security and poverty alleviation. The expert has provided technical assistance and facilitated capacity building across regional projects in Central African countries, including Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The focus has been on sectors such as natural resource management, rural development, and food security.

Sectors and geographic focus

Previously held roles include Chief Technical Advisor and Regional Project Coordinator, with a focus on rural development, environment and natural resource management, food security, and poverty reduction. The expert's interdisciplinary expertise spans agricultural economics, value chain development, and gender analysis in agriculture and forestry. The geographic scope of work is primarily regional, covering Central African countries, where complex development challenges have been addressed through integrated approaches. The expert has extensive experience across Africa, with significant involvement in Central and West Africa, including countries such as Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, and Sao Tome and Principe. Work often involves engaging with local governance and cultural dynamics, focusing on regional development issues such as natural resource management and food security.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is fluent in English, French, and Wolof, demonstrating excellent proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including international project coordination and collaboration with multilingual teams across Central Africa. The expert's linguistic abilities have facilitated effective communication and collaboration in diverse cultural and linguistic environments. Educational achievements include a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University, USA (1992), a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University, USA (1984), a Maîtrise in Economics (1979), and a Licence in Economics (1978) from the University of Dakar, Senegal. Foundational education includes a Baccalaureat and B.E.P.C. from Lycée Blaise Diagne, Senegal, completed in 1975 and 1972, respectively.