The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has announced the appointment of Alice Ruhweza as its next President, effective March 1st, 2025.
Established in 2006, AGRA is an African-led institution dedicated to transforming agriculture from a struggle for survival into a thriving business for smallholder farmers in 12 African countries.
Ms Ruhweza succeeds Dr. Agnes Kalibata, who successfully led AGRA through two transformative terms.
Ms Ruhweza brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as a Global Thought Leader, Systems Thinker, and International Development Expert for over 28 years.
Her career has spanned government, the private sector, the United Nations, and major international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Most recently, she served at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where she championed the crucial role of inclusive agri-food systems in addressing climate change, environmental degradation, and food security.
“We are excited to welcome Alice Ruhweza as AGRA’s next President,” said AGRA’s Board Chair, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn. “Her extensive international experience and deep understanding of the African landscape equip her to navigate diverse cultures and drive collaboration across sectors.”
Dr. Kalibata expressed her confidence in Ms Ruhweza’s leadership: “AGRA is now in a strong position to meet the challenges ahead and the expectation to do more for smallholder farmers. I am excited to pass the torch to Alice Ruhweza, whose leadership will drive us forward.”
Ms Ruhweza emphasized the urgency of the task ahead: “For Africa to achieve its goal of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, the next five years demand urgency, ambition, and decisive action.” She highlighted the need for bold investments in research and development, innovative technologies, and inclusive, climate-smart farming practices.