Dr. Agnes Abera Kalibata

Dr. Agnes Kalibata is a globally recognized agricultural scientist, policy leader, and alliance builder with a career dedicated to transforming agriculture and food systems to reduce hunger and poverty. She is the Founder and Chair of Connect for Impact Advisory Group (C4Impact), a mission-driven social enterprise that supports countries and businesses to deliver ambitious food system transformation and development outcomes.

As President of AGRA (2014-2025), Dr. Kalibata contributed to mobilizing nearly USD 1 - 13824, partnered with 15 African governments to strengthen delivery systems, and contributed to improved food security and livelihoods of over 30 million households.

Appointed by the UN Secretary-General as Special Envoy for the 2021 Food Systems Summit, she led an inclusive global process engaging 193 member states and catalyzing a global movement to transform food systems. This was anchored in scientific evidence, community participation and national dialogues and, action tracks and coalition for actions.

Previously, as Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, she oversaw the country’s transition from food deficit to food security in four years, cutting the global hunger index by more than 50%.

She has received several awards, including the Justus von Liebig Award for World Nutrition (2024), Africa Genius Award (2023), African Climate Champion of the Year (2021), and the Public Welfare Medal by the U. S. National Academy of Sciences, Honorary Doctorate degrees and the Africa Food Prize. She serves on a few boards and holds a PhD in Entomology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.