Governance
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is FANRPAN’s governing body. It sets the network’s strategic direction and provides oversight, bringing together leaders from regional economic communities, governments, research, development partners, the private sector, women and youth.
Constituencies represented
- Research
- Founder’s seat
- Regional Economic Communities
- Governments
- Development partners
- Private sector
- Women
- Youth
Board Leadership
Dr. Aggrey Agumya
Chairperson · Research Representative
Executive Director and Head of Mission, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
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A Ugandan national, Dr. Agumya has been with FARA for more than 18 years, serving as Programme Officer for the Sub-Saharan Africa Challenge Programme, Technical Advisor to previous Executive Directors and Director of Research and Innovation. He earlier worked as a Geo-Information Systems Analyst at the World Agroforestry Centre.
Prof. Fortunata Songora Makene
Vice Chairperson · Founder’s Seat Representative (Tanzania)
Executive Director, Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), Tanzania
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A development sociologist with more than 30 publications on socio-economic reform, gender equity and women’s leadership. She has held leadership roles including at the UONGOZI Institute, and leads ESRF’s policy research for sustainable development in Tanzania. She received the Phenomenal Woman of Worth Award in 2022.
Governors
Ms. Chileshe Kapwepwe
REC Representative · COMESA
Secretary General, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
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A Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years in senior public and private sector roles. She has served as Zambia’s Deputy Minister of Finance, a Member of Parliament, and Executive Director at the IMF representing 23 African countries.
Mr. Fahari Marwa
REC Representative · SADC FANR Directorate
Director, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, SADC Secretariat
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More than 20 years in agriculture, regional integration and sustainable development. Before joining SADC he was Principal Agricultural Economist at the East African Community Secretariat, heading its Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development Department, and earlier worked with FAO in Tanzania.
Mr. Mooketsa Ramasodi
Government Representative · South Africa
Director-General, Department of Agriculture, South Africa
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Appointed Director-General in November 2021, he previously served as Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production, Health and Food Safety, and brings more than 19 years in government biosecurity regulatory services.
Prof. Obert Jiri
Government Representative · Zimbabwe
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, Zimbabwe
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Oversees national programmes in crop and livestock production, fisheries, extension and pest control. He was previously a professor and researcher at the University of Zimbabwe, working on climate adaptation and indigenous knowledge systems.
Dr. Leah Ndungu
Donor Representative · ACIAR
Regional Manager, Eastern and Southern Africa, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
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More than 20 years managing research programmes. Before joining ACIAR in 2017 she was Partnerships Coordinator at the BecA–ILRI Hub, Research Manager at ILRI and a research scientist at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.
Mr. Chola Mfula
Private Sector Representative · AUDA-NEPAD
Country Operations and Partnerships Coordinator, Southern Africa, Grow Africa (AUDA-NEPAD)
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An agribusiness specialist with more than 15 years across Africa. At Grow Africa he promotes private investment in agriculture, develops country roadmaps and supports value chain partnerships. He previously served as Private Sector Development Advisor at SNV.
Prof. Sunita Facknath
Women’s Seat Representative
Former Professor and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mauritius
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More than 30 years in sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, with a focus on biofarming, integrated pest management and climate resilience. She serves on boards including the Africa Open Science Platform and the Southern Africa Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance.
Mr. Kofi Kisiedu Acquaye
Youth Representative · YPARD
Africa Regional Coordinator, Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD)
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Oversees YPARD’s programmes across Africa, strengthening youth engagement and leadership in agriculture. He has helped build mentorship frameworks and knowledge exchange among young agriculturalists, with an emphasis on technology and innovation.