Our Founder

Professor Mandivamba Rukuni (Mandi) is a preeminent African development strategist and thought leader, deeply engaged in agricultural transformation, land governance, rural industrialization, and higher education. His work directly aligns with Africa's transformation agendas. Currently, he chairs Zimbabwe's Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) and Great Zimbabwe University (GZU), driving educational transformation. He actively advises the Zimbabwean Government, business, and civil society on critical reforms including land tenure, rural industrialization, reparations, and fertiliser industry policy. An agricultural economist, Professor Rukuni brings decades of frontline experience: 20 years at the University of Zimbabwe (including Dean of Agriculture) and 11 years as Africa Director for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. He possesses extensive governance expertise, having chaired Zimbabwe's Agricultural Research Council and served as Vice-Chair of ARDA. Internationally, he is a trusted advisor and consultant to key institutions shaping Africa's future, including the African Union, NEPAD, SADC, AfDB, World Bank, FAO, and UNDP. His deep understanding of land issues is underscored by chairing Zimbabwe's landmark Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Land Tenure Systems (1993-94). A prolific author (100+ articles, academic and non-fiction books like Being Afrikan and Leading Afrika), his thought leadership on sustainable development earned him two nominations for the Africa Prize for Leadership in Sustainable End of Hunger.