The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has announced the appointment of Alice Ruhweza as its next President, effective March 1st, 2025. Ruhweza will succeed Dr. Agnes Kalibata, who has led AGRA through two transformative terms.
In a statement, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, AGRA’s Board Chair, expressed his excitement about Ruhweza’s appointment. He noted that her extensive international experience and profound understanding of Africa’s agricultural landscape would be invaluable as she builds on the strong foundation established by Dr. Kalibata.
“We are excited to welcome Alice Ruhweza as AGRA’s next President. Her ability to navigate diverse cultures and collaborate across sectors will be instrumental in driving AGRA’s mission forward. We look forward to her leadership in supporting smallholder farmers and tackling the pressing challenges facing African agriculture,” said H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn.
Ruhweza brings 28 years of expertise working at the intersection of economic, social, and environmental policy. Her leadership experience spans government, the private sector, the United Nations, and major international NGOs, including the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where she has been a passionate advocate for inclusive agri-food systems.
These systems, she argues, are crucial in addressing climate change, reversing environmental degradation, and improving nutrition security for millions of Africans. Ruhweza’s deep experience makes her well-positioned to lead AGRA’s mission of agricultural transformation across the continent.
In her first statement as incoming President, Alice Ruhweza shared her vision for AGRA’s future, emphasizing the importance of agriculture as a lever for economic growth and climate resilience in Africa while acknowledging the sector’s risks.
“Agri-food systems are Africa’s biggest lever for economic growth, job creation, livelihood improvement, and in addressing climate change. However, the agricultural sector is still at risk from economic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and other complex crises,” Ruhweza said.
For Africa to achieve sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, Ruhweza stressed the need for decisive action over the next five years. This includes investments in research and development, climate-smart farming practices, and comprehensive policy frameworks.
“For Africa to achieve its goal of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems, the next five years demand urgency, ambition, and decisive action including bold investments in research and development, innovative technologies, inclusive, climate-smart and environmentally friendly farming practices, more comprehensive extension services, and policy frameworks that are coherent and aligned,” she added.
Ruhweza also expressed her commitment to advancing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) strategy and action plan for 2026-2035, which will guide agricultural growth and food security on the continent.
Dr. Agnes Kalibata, the outgoing President, reflected on AGRA’s transformative journey during her tenure, noting the organization’s growth and its strong position to meet the challenges ahead. She expressed confidence in Ruhweza’s ability to continue AGRA’s success.
“As I transition from my role, I am proud of AGRA’s accomplishments over the past decade,” said Dr. Kalibata. “I am excited to pass the torch to Alice Ruhweza, whose leadership will drive us forward. I look forward to supporting her in ensuring AGRA reaches even greater heights.”
About AGRA
Established in 2006, AGRA is an African-led and Africa-based institution dedicated to transforming agriculture into a thriving business that improves food security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers. AGRA collaborates with a wide range of partners to catalyze inclusive agricultural transformation across 12 African countries. Through its programs, AGRA seeks to increase agricultural productivity, improve access to markets, and strengthen policy frameworks to enhance the resilience of African food systems.
