This post has been cross posted from the IFPRI Africa Page
Nairobi, Kenya | September 25 2026 The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is pleased to announce that Steven Were Omamo, IFPRI Director for Africa and Director, Development Strategies and Governance, has been elected President of the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
Omamo was elected during the 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE), taking place September 22–25 in Nairobi, Kenya. Co-organized by IFPRI and AAAE, the conference brings together agricultural economists, researchers, policymakers, development partners, and practitioners to discuss how innovation, digital transformation, and trade can contribute to more resilient and productive agrifood systems in Africa.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence my fellow agricultural economists have placed in me. I look forward to working with all of them to strengthen our Association, support the next generation of African agricultural economists, and ensure that our work continues to make a meaningful contribution to Africa’s development.” said Omamo.
“IFPRI is delighted that Were will serve as President of the AAAE, which provides such an important platform for African agricultural economists,” said Johan Swinnen, IFPRI Director General.
Based in IFPRI’s Nairobi office, Omamo works with colleagues and partners across Africa to advance research and policy engagement on development strategies and governance. As President of AAAE, Omamo will work with agricultural economists across the continent to strengthen the Association, support the development of the next generation of African agricultural economists, and advance the contribution of agricultural economics to Africa’s development.
Oliver K. Kirui, IFPRI Research Fellow and Acting Program Leader for Nigeria, served as Chair of the Local Organizing Committee for the 8th ACAE.IFPRI looks forward to continued collaboration with AAAE and agricultural economists across Africa.
About AAAE:
The African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) is a professional association dedicated to promoting the development and application of agricultural economics in Africa and fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among agricultural economists. The Association provides a platform for researchers and professionals to engage on issues affecting agriculture, food systems, and development across the continent.
About IFPRI:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI’s strategic research aims to identify and analyze alternative international and country-led strategies and policies for meeting food and nutrition needs in low- and middle-income countries, with particular emphasis on poor and vulnerable groups in those countries, inclusive development, and sustainability. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development. www.ifpri.org
Media contact:
Media inquiries:
IFPRI HQ (Washington D.C): Evgeniya Anisimova, e.anisimova@cgiar.org, +1 (202) 627 4394
IFPRI Africa (Dakar, Senegal): Sokhna Sall Seck, s.s.seck@cgiar.org