The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has appointed Dr. Canisius Kanangire as the new executive director of the foundation effective July 1, 2021.
He would be taking over from Dr. Denis Kyetere who proceeds on retirement after serving the organization for nearly 10 years.
A national of Rwanda, Dr. Kanangire obtained his doctorate degree in aquatic sciences and master’s degree in freshwater ecology from the University of Namur, Belgium.
He also holds a university degree (licence) in biology and an undergraduate certificate in biology and chemistry from the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Bukavu (Higher Pedagogical Institute of Bukavu) in D.R. Congo.
Kanangire joins AATF from the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), a pan-African inter-governmental institution and a delivery mechanism on water and sanitation for the African Union, where he served as the executive secretary between September 2016 and May 2021.
“With over 35 years’ cumulative experience in leadership roles, Dr. Kanangire brings to AATF a wealth of valuable experience that will see the organization effectively implement its strategy towards reaching more farmers,”
“An astute administrator, academician, and well-traveled gentleman, Dr. Kanangire is an experienced technocrat with a wealth of knowledge in leadership and management of international institutions, including developing strategic partnerships and networks at regional, continental and global levels with great ability for resource mobilization which is a key interest of AATF,” said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, chair of the AATF Board of Trustees.
Kanangire’s career has seen him also serve the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) as the executive secretary between 2011 and 2016 and the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) as the head of strategic planning and management between 2009 and 2011 and as the regional manager of its capacity building program between 2004 and 2009.
The one-time lecturer and dean of the faculty of agriculture at the University of Rwanda was also a member of the board of directors of ISAR (the Rwandan Institute for Agricultural Research) restructured into the current Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) and is widely published. He speaks various languages including English, French, Kiswahili, and Kinyarwanda.
A statement by the foundation’s senior manager, communications and partnerships, Nancy Muchiri, said while welcoming Kanangire to AATF, Badiane also paid glowing tribute to Kyetere, the outgoing executive director, saying his leadership had helped steer the organization into a professional technology transfer outfit with a team of dedicated staff who are committed to getting agricultural innovation to farmers in the most efficient and effective manner.
“As Dr. Kyetere retires, I wish to convey appreciation from the board, staff, and partners alike who recognize his commitment and undivided attention to leading AATF through some of the most challenging situations and into the realization of key strategic goals,” said Badiane.
