AFAP has an international staff that comes to the organization from the public and private sectors. It is united by the goal of creating vibrant and sustainable agriculture inputs and agribusiness markets in Africa.
AFAP Technical Leads
AFAP Country Representatives
Senior Program Services
Monitoring and Evaluation Team
Support Staff
Michael Sudarkasa
CEO
Michael Sudarkasa is widely known and respected internationally for his work in promoting African private sector development as well as international and intra-Africa trade and investment. He is a commercial attorney by training and a passionate African economic development practitioner.
Michael received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988 and his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1985. Fluent in French, he has travelled, worked, or provided training and development assistance in 58 countries throughout the world (including 36 in Africa).
He has authored several articles and publications related to African trade and investment, including: The UNDP Inclusive Business Finance Field Guide; The African Business Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Business Resources for African Trade and Investment and is co-author of Investing in Africa: An Insider’s Guide to the Ultimate Emerging Market (John Wiley & Sons).
Michael currently serves as a member of the University of Michigan’s Provost Advisory Committee, as Chair of the U of M African Studies Center Advisory Board, and is on the Board of the University of Witwatersrand’s African Center for the Study of the United States.
Michael Sudarkasa joins African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) after 17 years as the founder and CEO of Africa Business Group (ABG), a Johannesburg based economic development company whose focus is increasing the role of the African private sector in the implementation of the continental development agenda.
While CEO of ABG, Michael expanded the company’s client base from work on local economic development projects with the City of Johannesburg, the provincial government of Gauteng and the South African National Treasury, to working continentally with the African Union’s Development Agency (AUDA) (formerly NEPAD), with the African Union headquarters itself, and with a number of United Nations’ agencies, beginning with the U.N. Economic Commission for Africa in 2009, and including thereafter: the United Nations Development Program Africa Regional Bureau, the Food and Agriculture Organization Africa and Southern Africa Bureaus, the U.N. Secretary General’s Office of the Special Envoy to the Great Lakes, the U.N. Disaster Risk Reduction Agency, and most recently the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Under his leadership ABG also served: as the in-country trade and investment advisor of the Welsh Assembly government for five years, the Program Director of the African Green Revolution for Africa from 2014-2017, as a key contributor to the African Development Bank’s Enable Youth Program African Youth Agripreneurship Forum (2017-2019), and Africa Business Group was awarded the prestigious “Consulting Firm of the Year” by the South African Professional Services Awards’ judging panel in 2017.
In 2019, ABG also helped launch the Africa network (ARISE Africa) of the UN Disaster Risk Reduction agency’s Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE). Sudarkasa also currently sits on ARISE’s global board.
Michael is of African-American and Nigerian heritage, he was born in New York City, and raised principally in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is married and the proud father of five adult children who live in the U.S.
Cecilia Khupe
Chief Operations and Compliance Officer
Cecilia Khupe joined AFAP in 2012 as a Programs Director (Africa). Before joining AFAP she worked for USAID as a Senior Regional Program Manager/Agriculture Advisor for over 12 years. Prior to joining USAID she worked for South Africa Breweries Botswana Branch as a Brewery Manager. She also worked for the Ministry of Agriculture Botswana as a Senior Agriculture Economist responsible for all bilateral and multilateral trade arrangements for the Government of Botswana in the Agriculture Sector as well as project planning and management for the Ministry.
Cecilia assisted the Ministry of Agriculture Develop a Food Security Policy that allowed Botswana to move from a self-sufficiency policy. Cecilia has presented food security related papers in workshops, seminars and conferences in the Southern Africa region as well as in East and West Africa countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia; Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Cecilia has also represented the regional donor community in the FANRPAN Board.
Cecilia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Accounting from University of Botswana, an honors degree from University of Colorado in Economic Policy and a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics – Marketing and Trade from New Mexico State University, USA.
Pierre Brunache Jr
Chief Agribusiness Officer
Pierre Brunache, Jr., has over 22 years of experience in the following industries: aviation, hi-technology, real estate, and international development with a focus on agro-industry value chain management. Prior to joining the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP) as the West Africa Regional Director, he was the Project Director at CNFA Ghana where he managed a cocoa project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Prior to relocating to Ghana from Washington DC, he served as Acting Chief of Party to close a $25 million USAID-funded multi-sector project covering Agriculture, Tourism, and Handicraft in Haiti. Pierre joined CNFA after working as Global Business Director for a Maryland-based management consulting firm. Prior to that, he worked as International Market Entry Program Manager for a Massachusetts-based hi-tech firm with operations in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Pierre holds an MBA from Northeastern University and speaks English, French, Haitian Creole, and Spanish.
Derek Watson
Director of Finance
Derek Watson brings four decades of experience as an accounting, finance and human resources executive to AFAP. He is a chartered accountant in South Africa and an expert in the application of the country’s Black Economic Empowerment policies, a program that redresses socio-economic inequalities in South Africa.
In his career, Derek has served as a transformation officer, finance director, controller, accountant and auditor in the private sector in South Africa. He has held positions with companies including the MIB Group, Glenrand MIB Limited, Orbijet and Templeton, Strong, Vignazia & Company, an auditing firm.
Dr. Mshindo M. Msolla
Senior Director Public Private Partnerships and Investments
Dr. Mbette Mshindo Msolla holds a Bsc in General Agriculture (University of Dar-es-salaam, Post Graduate Diploma in Soil Science (Agricultural University of Norway}, Msc and PhD in Agriculture (majoring in Soil Science from Sokoine University of Agriculture).
He has worked in different capacities with the Government (Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Education), Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) as Agricultural Adviser. While working with the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives, he put the Fertilizer Act of 2009 and its Regulations of 2011 which culminated to the formation of Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority (TFRA) mandated on issues related to fertilizer trade and quality and he is the Chairman of the Board of TFRA.
He is a seasoned football coach with elite clubs and has also been the Tanzania National Football coach for five years.
Dr Maria Wanzala
Director of Policy
Dr. Maria Wanzala-Mlobela, Director of Policy, joined AFAP in 2013. Dr. Wanzala has more than 20 years of experience in agricultural policy and market development. She previously served as the Director of Policy for AFAP and Senior Policy Advisor.
Prior to joining AFAP, Wanzala served as Senior Economist seconded to the African Union’s New Partnership for African Development and Senior Economist at IFDC. She also spent several years in various research assistant roles at the Department of Agricultural Economics at Rutgers University and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University.
Wanzala holds both a bachelor’s of degree in International Service and Development from World College West, a Masters’ of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from Rutgers University as well as a Doctorate in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University.
Paul Makepeace
Senior Fertilizer Specialist – Marketing
Paul Makepeace has 35 years of experience in agricultural and agribusiness development with the private sector, NGOs and research centers in both developed and developing economies.
Extensive experience in sub-Saharan Africa business development, strategic planning, problem solving, program management, market development, business analysis, design and implementation of subsidy programs.
Broad fertilizer and other industry experience: manufacture, distribution, business development, product development, marketing and sales management and exports.
Many years of technical/managerial experience within and for organizations providing development services to fertilizer manufacturers and distributors, technology innovation companies, ethanol manufacturers, and commodity associations. Senior Management experience in both private sector organizations and public sector research and extension organizations.
Owned and managed cross-section of development companies. Paul is an Australian national.
Tim Durgan
Senior Project Manager
Tim Durgan has more than 35 years of agricultural business and international project management experience. He started his career in the US fertilizer industry as a marketing and sales director at both the retail and wholesale distributor levels. For the past 25 years he has been a resident of East and Southern Africa where he has managed several agricultural development projects, along with providing consulting services to private firms, NGO’s and government entities within Africa. His areas of experience and expertise are in agribusiness related to input supply and commodity output marketing, project and trade finance, crop and livestock value chain expansion, and agricultural policy. He has managed value chain projects in Kenya, Zambia and Ethiopia, focused on expanding productivity and market opportunities for smallholder producers. For AFAP he has recently worked on numerous private and public investments in fertilizer warehousing distribution, and blending throughout the continent.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Crop and Soil Sciences (Agribusiness Emphasis) from Michigan State University, where he also did graduate work in Agricultural Economics.
He has served on numerous industry association and private company board of directors in both the US and Africa.
Sergio Ussaca
Mozambique Country Director
Sergio Ussaca brings more than 16 years of experience as a manager and agricultural specialist in Mozambique to AFAP’s Maputo office.
Before joining AFAP, Ussaca served as a senior policy advisor for private sector development and agribusiness at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Maputo. Before taking that position, Ussaca worked with NGOs in the region including CNFA and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Much of his career has centered on work in the Nacala and Beira corridors. He also has extensive experience in Nampula.
Ussaca earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the Catholic University of Mozambique and a diploma in agriculture production and livestock from the Agricultural College of Boane. In addition, he has training in conservation farming, micro-finance, and local seed multiplication techniques.
Jean-Michel Ndongo-Seh
Francophone Regional Manager – West and Central Africa
A strong believer that development in Africa will come through the ability of the continent to attract foreign investment and qualified human capital.
After graduating from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Jean-Michel started his business consulting career in the US, focusing on business development and commodities trading, with and for Africa. He returned to the continent in 2005.
Before joining AFAP, as the Francophone Regional Manager for West and Central Africa in April 2017, he was a founding partner and the Executive Director of NS Conseils, a business consulting and development firm registered in Cote d’Ivoire, linking foreign expertise and capitals, to the continent development goals. Within NS Conseils, he has developed business opportunities for his clients in many African countries, such as Cameroon (his home country), but also Benin, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa.
His skill set ranges from Infrastructure, Agriculture, to Telco and Aviation, enhanced by an MBA in Finance and Economics in 2011.
A fierce and determined negotiator, he has contributed to attract investments over a Billion US Dollars to the continent.
During his career, Jean-Michel has developed an understanding of many African countries political contexts, built strong relationships with governments and economic partners, supported by a deep knowledge of the diverse cultures and people of the continent. He has the mastery of adapting the value proposition to fit man, culture, and sensitivities.
Conscious of the critical need to contribute to the emergence on the continent, Jean-Michel also coached African entrepreneurs.
A devoted husband and father, he enjoys spending time with his family. He still loves to think of himself as an athlete, regularly playing Golf and Basket-Ball since his high-school days.
Sheila Komen Keino
Director of Business Development and Partnerships
Sheila is Country Director for AFAP Malawi based in Lilongwe. She is charged with leading, directing and managing all aspects of AFAP’s work and staff in Malawi. Prior to her current posting, she was Director of Programmes in Malawi. Her past roles include Programmes Development Specialist for AFAP based in Johannesburg, South Africa, backstopping all AFAP country programs. Sheila joined AFAP at inception in 2012 and has been instrumental in setting up of AFAP Ghana, Tanzania and Malawi.
Sheila has been active in the workforce for the last 20 years, and has covered programmatic operations in 18 African countries mainly in Agricultural Development, thus has extensive understanding of Africa’s dynamic Agricultural sector. She has also worked in the banking and humanitarian sectors. Prior to working for AFAP, Sheila worked for a number of institutions including The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and Citigroup. Sheila is a Master of Arts candidate in Rural Sociology and Community Development and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree both from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Isaac Asare
Ghana Country Director
Isaac Kwadwo Asare brings over 12 years of private and public sector experience, more specifically in developing the agro-input supply chain. Prior to joining AFAP, Isaac worked for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) as the Ghana Country Coordinator under the Scaling Seeds and Technologies Partnership (SSTP) program.
As an Agro-dealer Development Specialist, he has worked in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia for the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC). He was the Project Manager for the AGRA-funded project, Ghana Agro Dealer Development (GADD) Project.
Isaac has extensive knowledge in managing donor-funded programs as well as handling M&E related activities, networking with value chain actors and experience in agro-dealer development issues more specifically in West Africa. Isaac is passionate about the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a tool to link value chain actors with the aim of improving access to quality services through enhanced flow of information among them.
He holds Masters of Philosophy in Sociology and Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Technology. As the AFAP Ghana country manager he provides strategic input, direction and management to AFAP and its key partners on fertilizer industry development issues.
David Kijazi
Tanzania Country Director
David J. Kijazi joined AFAP in 2013 as a consultant and he is currently the country manager for Tanzania.
He has over 6 years experience in project management, strategic planning, participatory monitoring and evaluation, project design and proposal writing. He has provided professional services to several development organizations/projects in Tanzania on research, baseline surveys, needs assessment, agribusiness value chains development, market studies and Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Additionally, he has significant experience on capacity building to agro dealers and farmers’ organizations.
David holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Liverpool John Moores University (UK) and BSc Economics (Policy and Planning) from Mzumbe University in Tanzania.
Binta Ceesay Etim
Senior Business Development Manager West Africa
Binta is innovative thinker with strong and practical experience in analytical and strategic roles within the private sector and economic development spheres including food security, policy analysis, agribusiness value chain development, access to finance, gender mainstreaming, land rights, and climate change.
Prior to joining AFAP, Binta served as the lead analyst and co- author on food rights policy campaigns aimed at improving Ghana’s agricultural policies by delivering targeted and effective policy recommendations to ensure a demand driven, responsive support to small holder farmers. Binta implemented various multi-million dollar USAID Agro Enterprise Development Programs in West Africa. She served as a member of the CSO technical advice team to the World Bank Group on gender mainstreaming.
In her current role, Binta provides technical assistance to private & public sector and key stakeholders in the fertilizer and agribusiness value chains to facilitate business advisory services, leverage access to finance, and promote business to business linkages and trade investments within the Anglophone West Africa region.
Binta speaks fluent Mandingo, Wolof, Aku, and Intermediate French. She received her Master’s from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, and Bachelor’s from Michigan State University.
Sandra Pires
Director of Agribusiness Programs
Sandra joined AFAP in 2014 with over 20 years of program management expertise in the area of sustainable development and international economic development cooperation in the private and not for profit sectors. Worked on initiatives primarily focusing on providing advisory in business development, marketing and communications, resource mobilization (grants and private sector funding), SME entrepreneurship development, partnership brokerage, investment, trade/export promotion and facilitation, working across sectors (agriculture and food security; regional integration and infrastructure; climate change and natural resources management).
Sandra holds a B.A. Honours Degree in International Relations and a post graduate certificate in Development Studies from Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom, and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the European University. Speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.
Killian Banda
Policy Programs Manager
Killian Banda is a Policy Programs Manager at AFAP where he has managed and implemented a number of policy related projects since he joined in May 2015.
He is an Agricultural Economist with experience in agricultural policy, agribusiness development, value chain management and inclusive market development. He has co-authored two book chapters: one for “Inclusive Businesses in Agriculture” and the other for “Feeding African Soils”.
He draws his experience from working in both public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, Killian has implemented agricultural projects in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria.
Killian holds a BSc (Honours) and an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Zimbabwe and Pretoria, respectively. He is currently a PhD candidate in Agricultural Economics with the University of Pretoria.
Maureen Banda
Technical and Marketing Director
| Maureen joined AFAP in 2012. Before working at AFAP, she worked for SLR Environmental Consulting Engineers reporting to the Technical and Marketing Director. An exceptional and experienced Executive Operations Specialist with extraordinary business relations and projects. High-level planning, coordinating, and management of Board Meetings, events, and conferences. Management of day-to-day financial grants – program and field-level donor grants, project budgets, financial reporting, and project compliance requirements.
Maureen Banda is a strong business development professional who graduated in Business Logistics Management from the University of South Africa, Computer & Information Systems Concepts, University of South Africa (UNISA). A registered student at Chartered Secretaries of Southern Africa (CIS). |
Naomi Nimigisha
Receptionist and Accounts Assistant
Before joining AFAP, Naomi Nimigisha worked as an administrative assistant at the NEPAD Business Foundation. In this position, she held administrative, event planning and receptionist duties. Naomi has also worked for herself as an events planner, providing services for individuals and organizations.
Naomi is working on her bachelor’s degree in commerce accounting at the University of Johannesburg. She has taken a short course in events management at the University of Pretoria.
Kgothatso Sethole
Accountant and Contracts Coordinator
Kgothatso Sethole has over seven years working in finance. Before joining AFAP, Kgothatso held the position of Compliance Officer and Compliance Team Leader under The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant (The Global Fund) at Right to Care NPC for three years overseeing the financial reporting of over fifteen NGO receiving funding from the Global Fund through Right to Care, and before that he was the Compliance Officer and Accountant at Catholic Medical Mission Board – South Africa (CMMB-SA). Kgothatso received training in accounting and audit at BDO South Africa Incorporated.
Kgothatso is currently pursuing a qualification in Chartered Accountancy through the University of South Africa.
Peter Shao
Tanzania Country Director
Peter Shao joined AFAP in August 2019 as Country Director for Tanzania. He brings in expertise in setting strategies and partnerships in agricultural value chains, innovative financial solutions and inclusiveness for smallholder farmers, managing donor funded projects as well as sharing technics for lending to the agricultural sector.
Prior to joining AFAP he worked with Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) for three year as a consultant implementing Financial Inclusion for Smallholder Farmers in Africa Project (FISFAP) in Tanzania. He developed digital financial products which will enable smallholder farmers to be financially inclusive for increased productivity and incomes. He has also worked in the banking sector for 35 years specialized in lending to the agricultural sector. He is conversant in commercial and microfinance banking as well as development banking.
He holds a Masters’ degree in Agriculture and Rural Development from the Institute for Social Studies (ISS) The Hague Netherlands and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania.
Nana-Aisha Mohammed
Ghana Country Manager and Project Implementation for West Africa
Nana- Aisha Mohammed is the Country Manager and Project Implementation for West Africa for the African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP). Through formal education and about a decade of professional experience she has acquired both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills on issues of development. She has worked on various development projects and in different capacities with solid grounding in project management.
Nana-Aisha has good experience in the fields of agriculture, education, health and other social development experience with a focus Budget and Policy analysis, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, budget monitoring, activity implementation and coordination, research and advocacy. She led the implementation of projects and programs with organizations like SEND West Africa, USAID, OXFAM, Trust Africa, and IBP. She served as the civil society lead on the CAADP Non-State Actors platform for 3 years.
Her area of expertise has taken her to West African Countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria to provide technical support to governments, Civil Society as well as SMEs. She has been a resource person on various platforms especially in the agricultural sector and has been involved in training facilitation for SMEs, Input and Out dealers, farmers and other actors along the agricultural value chain. She has very good understanding of both business and social interventions.
Nana-Aisha is an IFC certified trainer and Project Management Professional, holding a Master of Science Research in Migration and Refugee Studies with a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies
Joel Kakaire
Uganda Country Manager
Joel has 11 years of productive work experience in agriculture and agribusiness development in private sector, NGOs and consultancy background in country and regionally supporting Local and International NGOs as well as Government programs.
Prior to Joining AFAP, Joel worked as a Senior Agronomist in TechnoServe Inc. /Uganda under the Coffee Program. Before assuming work in TechnoServe, he worked as a Projects Manager under the Youth to Youth Program in International Labour Organization (ILO) based in Jinja, a project that was funded by European Union and African Commission.
Joel also commands a robust experience in consulting with international organizations like: Resilient Africa Network, Oxfam GB, Swiss contact Uganda, UWONET, World Vision, CARE Uganda, Action Aid International Uganda (AAIU)/ RUSH Foundation UK, SNV Uganda, VECO – Uganda, Plan international, NCBA CLUSA as well as regional experience with Rwanda Agricultural Board among others. Joel’s expertise includes among others: skills in Value Chain Development, Program management, SME development and brokering Financial and Market linkages, Farmer Institutional development and deep knowledge of approaches to commercialization of smallholder agriculture and project monitoring and evaluation. Joel also commands a strong experience in conducting agricultural related research e.g. Value chain studies, coordinating and evaluating agricultural projects, carrying out feasibility studies, baseline surveys and impact assessment surveys as well as conducting trainings
Joel holds a Masters’ degree in Watershed Management from Kenyatta University, in Kenya and a degree in Agriculture from Makerere University. In addition, he has training in value chain Development and Actor Empowerment; and Coffee Agronomy.
Wilfrida Onono
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist
Wilfrida Onono is a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist at African Fertilizer and Agribusiness partnership (AFAP) bringing 11+ years’ experience in Agricultural Development working with SMEs dealing in the Agricultural Inputs, smallholder farmers and pastoralists in various countries in Africa.
Wilfrida started her career at Agricultural Market Development Trust (AGMARK) as a data management intern, where she rose to positions of Project coordinator and then M&E before joining AFAP. She has knowledge in establishing and implementing planning, monitoring, evaluation, collaboration and learning systems and tools for Immuno/projects, Identifying and using approved indicators and targets, to measure progress and make recommendations for improvement.
She is involved in building the capacity of the staff involved in monitoring, evaluation, and data collection, include initiating, organizing, participating in, and/or conducting training sessions and evaluation workshop, developing performance management plans, Work plans, Project reports, data collection tools, conduct analysis of data , including GIS mapping, analytical reports and success.
Supports the implementation of baseline and other surveys, such as project reviews, mid-term and end-of-project reviews. She has completed intensive training workshops in 1) Environmental Compliance and Environmentally Sound design and management in project implementation by USAID 2) Geographic Information system (GIS) for Agricultural Monitoring and Evaluation 3) Data Management using MS Access at ILRI 4) Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation.
She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Project Planning and management. Holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture and certificate in monitoring and evaluation.
Joseph Mwangangi
Head of Business and Technical Services (BTS)
Joe passionately believes that appropriate agribusiness interventions have potential to effectively counter Africa’s perennial poverty and food insecurity trap.
He is an Agribusiness Advisor, Board Secretary to AFAP and a founder member/trustee of the Agricultural Markets Development Trust (AGMARK). He has been a key architect and promoter of the Hub-Agrodealer model for distribution of yield enhancing agricultural inputs and technologies in eastern and southern Africa for the last ten years.
Joe has over thirty years’ involvement in designing business and technical agribusiness development programs for leading international development agencies including TechnoServe, CRS, CNFA and AFAP. He owns and runs a private company engaged in poultry production and processing for the Nairobi market in Kenya.
He has a Masters in Agricultural Development from the University of London
Mercy Oluoch
Financial analyst
Mercy Oluoch (ACCA), is a Financial Analyst at AFAP, bringing 9+ years’ experience in accounting and finance.
She is qualified to provide support through research, analysis and economic modelling to develop competitive, sustainable fertilizer business models within various fertilizer business systems.
Since joining AFAP in September 2018, Mercy has successfully contributed towards market assessment and fertilizer value chain development, business-to-business linkages, capacity development of hub agro-input dealer networks, facilitation of joint ventures carrying out domestic blending and distribution of fertilizers, and development of an investment proposal for the AfDB trust fund.
Mercy started her career at KPMG EA as a management trainee accountant, and The Panafrican Group of companies where she rose to the position of contracts manager before joining AFAP.
She has experience working in various countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and the United Arab Emirates. Her career highlights include financial/ cost accounting and analysis that won Panafrican Group’s current contract with Acacia Limited (a global mining giant), creation and implementation of a model chart of accounts across all group companies at Panafrican Group, and implementation of business best practices which turned the company to profitability in the year 2014, allowing the shareholders to receive a dividend for the first time in a decade.
Mercy holds a B.A degree and an MSc (Finance) from the University of Nairobi, and is also a fully qualified ACCA chartered accountant, on track to ACCA fellowship (the most senior membership of ACCA).
Kghothatso Sethole
Accountant and Contracts Coordinator
Kgothatso Sethole has over seven years working in finance. Before joining AFAP, Kgothatso held the position of Compliance Officer and Compliance Team Leader under The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant (The Global Fund) at Right to Care NPC for three years overseeing the financial reporting of over fifteen NGO’s.
Joost Van Odijk
Strategy, Partnerships and Digital Solutions
| Joost van Odijk has over 25-Years background in corporate food companies at Unilever, Pepsico and Burger King, followed by assignments with various Internet and Agritech start-up businesses.
He has also built an advisory track record establishing multi-stakeholder partnerships across India and Africa with the World Economic Forum, the African Development Bank, and a range of private sector companies. At AFAP Joost works on Strategy, Partnerships and Digital Solutions with the aim to optimise the agribusiness supply chain enhancing market access and efficient advisory services to smallholders. And to accomplish this at scale. Joost has a Master’s degree in Economics from the Erasmus University Rotterdam in The Netherlands. |
Dr. Joseph Rusike
Chief Technical Advisor
Joseph is an agricultural economist. Prior to joining AFAP, he worked for the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa as a Senior Program Officer in the Policy & Advocacy Unit, from 2014 to 2020. He previously worked as an Outcome/Impact Socio-Economist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) based in Nigeria. Prior to that he was a Project Coordinator at IITA. He also served as a Special Project Scientist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) based in Bulawayo. Joseph also served as a Lecturer at University of Zimbabwe and as a Research Fellow of the University of Zimbabwe-Michigan State University Food Security Research Project in Southern Africa. His research interests include the economics of agricultural input industries, agribusiness development in Africa, and evaluation of social programs.
Joseph holds a B.A. (Agricultural and Forest Sciences and Forestry) from Oxford University, M. Phil (Agricultural Economics) from the University of Zimbabwe, M.A. (Economics) and PhD (Agricultural Economics) from Michigan State University.
Matthew Adetunji
Consultant/Country Manager for Nigeria
Matthew Adetunji, Consultant/Country Manager, Nigeria, has more than 10 years of experience in agribusiness management and innovative finance. Before joining AFAP, he started managing a consulting firm on impact investment processes and mobilized responsible investment for SMEs in West Africa. He was an agricultural finance expert for Agriculture and Finance Consultants (AFC), where he worked with Nigerian banks on credit and savings product development, value chain financing, and training. Prior to that, he was the programme coordinator of the Alliance Agriculture, mobilizing private investment for a green finance facility. Matthew has also consulted on futures contracts and financial innovation for commodity exchange at ICDX, and on value chain finance and blended finance models for SMEs and partners at CTA (ACP-EU). As an Analyst at GIZ, he managed and supported financing and investment processes between agribusinesses and banks on contract farming, matching grant fund processes, financial structuring, monitoring and evaluation. Matthew holds a B.S in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA in Finance and Investment from Ahmadu Bello University. He is currently enrolled as a candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program.
Phyness Thembulembu
Country Programs Manager for Malawi
Phyness Thembulembu is a Country Programs Manager for AFAP in Malawi. Phyness brings 14 years of experience in Project Management at senior management level with diverse institutions.
Prior to joining AFAP, Phyness worked as Regional Coordinator for Farmers Union of Malawi and Director of Training at CNFA/RUMARK where she was very instrumental in Agro-dealer Development and Capacity Building. Phyness has also worked on various portfolios both in CNFA/RUMARK and AFAP on soil health and agri-business; and during her career has worked with Farmer Organizations. In addition, Phyness has diverse skills in training and adult learning techniques.
Phyness holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management form the University of Humberside and Lincolnshire in United Kingdom.
Youssouf Traore
SME Development Specialist for Mali and Burkina Faso
I am currently consultant SME Development Specialist (Mali and Burkina Faso) for African Fertilizer and agro dealer’s partnership (AFAP). Professionally I grew up with the Malian national agricultural research institute (IER) in 1997. and then started working on my own as consultant before joining international agricultural research institutes and NGO and farmers organizations in Mali and West Africa. During that period, I have carried several research-Development programs at national and sub-regional level.
Mildred Barasa
Finance and Administration and Project Operation
Mildred has accumulated 15 years of experience with Development Agencies in the Non-Governmental and Private Sector working in Finance and Administration and Project Operation functions. Major assignments included the development and management of donor funded project budgets and managing the same, the development of Operational Finance, Human Resource and Administration, Procurement policies and Procedures manuals.
Mildred holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. She has also received trainings and certifications on Financial Management conducted by Inside NGO, 2012, and Financial Management for Project Management Teams by INSCAO, Consultant’s, 2011.Holder of an Executive Certificate in Human Resources from the International Institute of Human Resources (IHRM)Nairobi.
Njabulo Mazibuko
Technical Services Manager
Njabulo Mazibuko serves AFAP as a Technical Services Manager. He has a BSc Agriculture from the University of Swaziland, MSc from University of Natal, and Mphil in Economic Policy from the University of Stellenbosch. Since joining AFAP, he has been involved in several portfolios including monitoring and evaluation, agrodealer development, markets assessment. Currently, he is chiefly responsible for environmental and social impacts of AFAP activities across the countries where Africa operates. Before joining AFAP, he worked as an Agronomist for a large estate in eSwatini.
Rumbidzai Michelle Nyabvudzi
Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
Rumbidzai Michelle Nyabvudzi is a Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at AFAP with 2 years of experience dedicated to data collation and analysis. Her work experience has helped her to develop a comprehensive view of productivity process including how to accurately measure progress beyond simply reporting numbers. She is able to recognize outperforming expectation as well as those in need of improvement. She offers excellent research, reporting and presentation skills, experiencing in managing sizable projects spanning multiple countries. She is a highly motivated, fast learning, independent minded, results driven individual.
Rumbidzai holds Bachelor of Administration in International Relations and Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration and Management from the University of Pretoria. She is currently a Masters’ degree candidate in Public Management and Policy with the University of Pretoria.
Limbani Kakowa
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Practitioner
Limbani Kakowa is a self-motivated, competent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning practitioner with previous experiences in Agricultural education. Limbani possesses practical experiences in implementing rural based development projects with practical skills in community mobilization and capacity building.
Limbani has also previously supported business development initiatives under WFP funded “Purchase for Progress” (P4P) Initiatives. This has enabled him to be practically and extensively knowledgeable in rural agricultural cooperatives capacity building and input & output market/trade linkage facilitations with passion.
Limbani also possesses valuable analytical, leadership and interpersonal skills from work experiences and relevant education. He is personally interested in the issues of African agricultural development and Food security.
Maudline Oye Okyere
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Practitioner
Maudline Oye Okyere is an assiduous and dynamic personality with great passion for positive change. Her experience in research and project development emanates from various projects she’s been a part of over the last 7 years.
She has been privileged to work with both local and International organizations on various development projects from education, poverty reduction, food security, livelihood, and agriculture. She is very passionate about social development issues, always working at gaining the knowledge and skills needed to be a better development agent to improve the lives of the less privileged and the vulnerable in society.
As the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Ghana Country Office, Maudline Okyere works with overall supervision of the M&E specialist and Country Manager to design, coordinate, and implement monitoring and evaluation, research, and other related activities of projects.
Maudline has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a Masters Degree in Agribusiness from the University of Ghana.
Isack Malipa
Risk analyst, Tanzania
Isack Malipa is working with AFAP Tanzania as a Risk analyst on AFFM/AfDB funded Trade credit guarantee project. His roles are to identify the potential risk to supplier, hub agro dealer, AFAP and donor, monitor them, inform each part about the mitigations strategies and coordinate capacity building in addressing the trade credit risk. Also is responsible in monitoring the trade credit guarantee provision and other project indicators.
Before working as Risk analyst Isack Malipa previous has worked with AFAP as SME Development specialist under BMGF project coordinating the hub agro dealer development project in Lake zone of Tanzania. Under this project Isack coordinated the Demand creation activities, grants for warehouse construction and purchase of equipment, capacity building to hub agro dealers and monitoring of the project activities.
Isack working relationship with AFAP also goes back to 2013 under AGRA project where he was coordinator for AFAP Tanzania in Southern B zone (consisting of 5 regions). Under this project he managed to coordinate the project activities including matching investment grants, demand creation, capacity building and credit guarantee. Under this project Isack worked with hub agro dealers, out grower schemes and retailers.
His M & E background goes back to Save the Children international where he worked as Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning coordinator for Maternal and newborn health, nutrition, and wash project in Zanzibar. Under this project he worked with Ministry of Health, UNICEF, volunteers, local government authorities and community at large.
Isack also has worked as Research coordinator for the international potato center funded project. In this project he read the team in conducting the willingness to pay study for potatoes seed.
Platiel Chiaule
Agrobusiness specialist and field coordinator
An experienced Agribusiness specialist and field coordination, with significant experiences in management, planning and monitoring skills, regarding the partnership development through strategic management and good team building to create a conducive and trustworthy environment among stakeholders such as small-scale farmers, associations, government entities, agribusinesses and NGOs.
Currently, working as AFAP Agro-dealer Development Specialist & Field Coordinator for the “Beira Corridor Inputs Partnership Project” – BAGCP responsible to coordinate the field activities and provide professional technical assistance required for development of Input distribution and Agro-Dealer networks in areas where there is a higher proportion of commercial activity and offtake arrangements, specifically focused on smallholder irrigation schemes in Manica and Sofala provinces.
Apart from these my other core responsibilities include, organizing and facilitating various trainings and workshops, providing necessary support to project team and partners, support agro-dealer empowerment through knowledge and technical skills development in business management, safe product handling and crop husbandry practices.
Anastácio Farijão
Agronomy Engineering
Graduated in Agronomic Engineering from the Faculty of Agronomy and Forest Engineering at Eduardo Mondlane University, in 2006,
With a background in Agronomy Engineering, he has accumulated experience in the development of dissemination of conservation agriculture techniques, integrated management of pests and diseases, dissemination of environmentally friendly agricultural technologies, and the adoption of agricultural technologies that mitigate the effects of climate change. Production and distribution of grafted seedlings of plants and other plants of community interest.
He has extensive experience working with small producers in the family sector, associates, and agricultural producers, as well as private sector producers.
He has extensive experience in the design of community-based projects to attract financing in agricultural activities, as well as in the formation of associations of agricultural producers. On the other hand, Agribusiness is one of its greatest facets.
Actually, establish and implement the FAR – SOFALA PROJECT monitoring and evaluation system and tools for the ongoing review of program, using approved indicators and targets, to measure progress and make recommendations for improvement.
Happy Lyaruu-Mollel
Knowledge Management and M&E Officer
Happy Lyaruu- Mollel has worked with the various international development institutions such as the College of Business and Management (CBM), World Wide for Nature (WWF), Southern African Universities Research Program (ESAURP), Research and Education for Democracy in Tanzania (REDET) and AMEND.
She has a good experience in the field of agriculture, democracy, health, education, road safety and other development aspects. She has also a good background in conducting various research as well as the ability to interact with Government bodies and other development partners.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Philosophy, Master’s Degree in Development Studies and currently pursuing a PhD in Development Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam.
John Oluwaseun Bambigboye
An Agri-Finance Specialist, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, and Risk Analyst
An Agri-Finance Specialist, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, and Risk Analyst with over nine years of experience leading, packaging, planning, managing, monitoring and evaluating agribusiness projects. I have profound knowledge in risk analysis, monitoring & evaluating projects, financial product development and portfolio management. I have solid skills in financial and business analysis, including building capacity in others, to develop financial and cash flow projections. With Union Bank, I served as the Agribusiness Manager, where I analysed credit requests and made recommendations for packaging deals for agribusinesses, creating financial products, and providing advisory support of agri-credit transactions. I also championed the partnerships with Crowdfunding companies (like Thrive Agric, Farmcrowdy, Chubi Agro), working with their smallholders and Extension Officers some of whom have been used as Agents for the Bank to promote the Bank’s financial inclusion strategy. As monitoring and evaluation Officer for African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership co-coordinating AFFM credit guarantee project, evaluating and making recommendations on customer adherence to the terms of credit guarantee issued and developed M&E plan. In addition to working for the banking sector, I am a PhD candidate in Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, and holds a Master of Science in Economics from University of Lagos and a Bachelor in Agricultural Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife. I am fluent in Yoruba and English.
Tarron Passens
Office & Finance Administrator
Tarron Passens Office & Finance Administrator for The African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership, Inc. (“AFAP”) Possessing a proven experience collateral of close to half a decade of a demonstrated communications and customer service aptitude, expertise that became distinguished through her in-depth involvement in the telecoms sector, on the retail frontier. Her passion for accounts saw her refine her finance know-how leading to her permanent role at the development finance house, African Fertilizer, and Agribusiness Partnership. An entity whose founding priorities see it bolster strategic finance interests across earmarked markets that provide inputs to smallholder farmers and contribute towards a sustainable continent.Working side by side with leading International Development Specialists, an ecosystem that possesses an experience in designing, implementing, and managing economic recovery and development programs for Africa. Her daily routines entail the implementation of high-level B2B transactions that cumulatively see her facilitating multi-currency transactions with stringent deadlines to enable deal flow and project delivery. Her role at AFAP, derives intrinsic value from her attention to detail mastery that ensures finance controls, profitability, compliance, dutiful reporting, and revenue goals achievement.
Allen Mncube
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Fisakani Nyondo
Business development Officer
Fiskani Nyondo – Business development Officer Results-oriented. Conscientious, Efficient. Business developing officer with vast experience in grants management, preparing business plans, facilitating access to finance and markets, business forums, coordinating and managing projects and workshops planning of small and medium enterprises. Has a high level of relationship-building skills to network skillfully and build mutually beneficial professional networks. Easily adapts to pressure and multitasks to achieve goals to tight deadlines. Good background of project designing, planning, budgeting, implementation, and management coupled with identifying business opportunities.
Fiskani Nyondo is also a well-rounded monitoring and evaluation person with experience in setting up Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems and project designing.
Fiskani Nyondo has a diploma in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management and a pending degree in Business Administration.
Majaliwa Abiba Alice
Finance and Administator
Majaliwa Abiba Alice is the Finance and Administator working alongside the country manager for African Fertilizer and Agribusiness Partnership team in Uganda. She holds a post graduate diploma in Public Administration and an undergraduate degree in Social work and Social administration from Uganda Management Institute and Makerere University, respectively. She is a highly competent and enthusiastic person with experience working as part of a team in a busy office environment. She is well organized, efficient, approachable, and able to establish good working relationships with a range of different people.
Henry Obeng
Accounting, Programs and Projects Administrator
Henry Obeng brings over seven years of experience in accounting, programs and projects finance, administrative and human resources roles to AFAP. He is currently and simultaneously pursuing a Masters’ degree in development finance and chartered accountancy in Ghana.
In his short career, he has served in accounts officer, finance manager and head of finance roles in the health sector and most importantly, developmental organisations. He has also had the opportunity to work with both local and international non-governmental organisations managing funds from the UKAid, Oxfam, Ford Foundation, OSIWA and EU, just to mention a few.
Fatima Isaah
Programme and Administrative Assistant
Fatima Abdulai Issah currently works with AFAP as the Programme and Administrative assistant at the AFAP Ghana local office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Ghana and is currently undertaking a Masters of Research and Public Policy (MRPP) at the Centre for Social Policy at the University of Ghana. Ms. Issah has previously worked with other organizations such as SEND – GHANA, No 1 tutors and volunteers with OXFAM GB in the UK.
Albertina Menete
Office Administrator, Mozambique
Working as Mozambique AFAP Office Administrator for, 07 years performing her job with high sense of responsibility.
Albertina´s performance in accountant, administration is a result of her experience as bank employee during 07 years and 06 years of experience as office manager at an USAID project.
Graduated in business administration at ISCTEM in Mozambique.
Moniz Jose
Project Field Coordinator
An experienced leader with extensive knowledge of agriculture production with specialization in Integrated Soil Fertility Management; Design and Management of Food Security Projects; Management of Disaster Risk Programs; Design and Management of Livelihood projects; Baseline and Assessment studies; Design and Management of contract farming for smallholder farmers’ Programs and Projects. Agricultural and Market Research Analysis and Agribusiness Management for Agro-inputs Markets.
BSc Honours, Agronomic Engineering at the Eduardo Mondlane University – Faculty of Agronomic and Forestry Engineering 2006.
Project Field Coordinator “Food Security through climate Adaptation and Resilience in Central of Mozambique “AFAP, SOFALA, February 2018- present.
Hermenegildo Sadina
Financial Assistant and Accountant
Hermenegildo Sadina is Financial Assistant and Accountant at AFAP Mozambique, bringing 11 years experience in Finance and Accountant in private sector and more 3 years in NGO before joined AFAP.
He is qualified to prepare the financial information’s. Since joining AFAP team in May 2019, he has contributed to analysis of Financial information’s, prepare financial report and tracks audit work.
Graduated in Accounting from the Commercial School and Commercial Institute and holds a B.A. degree Economics from Eduardo Mondlane University. Sadina is ACCA enrolled.
Antonio Rocha
Senior Agronomist and Field Coordinator
António Rocha did BSc. in Agrarian Sciences in Aug 2006, trained at Faculty of Agriculture by Mozambique Catholic University in Cuamba District. After his graduation, Rocha worked for Vanduzi Company, as Packing House Assistant and Agronomist. The company aimed to produce and export fruits and vegetables.
After learning in the private sector, Rocha joined to IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center) as Agribusiness Specialist working in Beira Corridor. Within 2008-2013, Rocha, studied Sustainable Soil Resources Management (SSRM) in Nairobi-Kenya. After returning to his home country (Mozambique), he joined IIAM/CIMMYT (International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement) in Manica Province as Agronomist. In year 2014, he joined to (DADTCO)Dutch Agricultural Development & Training Company BV, in Nampula Province. DADTCO’S main goal, was to promote cassava farmers around Nampula Districts, to sell their product to (CDM)Mozambique Brewer Company.
Then he also managed to join University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu-USA, where he graduated as BSc in (TPSS) Tropical Plants & Soil Sciences in 2015-2017 year. In 2018, joined AFAP projects ( PRODAZAV & MOZRICE) as Senior Agronomist and Field Coordinator till today.
Jarryd Botha
Senior Operations Consultant
Jarryd comes to AFAP with over 14 years of experience working in International Development, with hands-on international experience in over 42 countries. His experience ranges across multiple public and private donors across the globe, including government agencies and both large and small private funders. His primary focus is in corporate and project financial, operational and risk management with a focus on operations and compliance within headquarter and global project efficiencies. He has extensive experience in business processes, policy design and system implementation and delivery.
Before Joining AFAP, Jarryd was the Financial Director for Engender Health’s global $85 million Fistula Care Plus project for the last 3.5 years. Jarryd has stepped in multiple roles as both STTA and LTTA assignments in multiple countries and has over 10 years of International Development contractor headquarter experience living and working in Washington DC before moving to field based roles. He holds a double major Accounting and Finance from the Florida State University College of Business where he was a full scholarship athlete, and is currently completing his final dissertation for his Master’s degree in Development Finance with a focus on Sustainable Impact Investment.