Kenyan appointed FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Africa

Dr Meshack Malo/HANDOUT

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu has appointed Kenyan national Dr Meshack Malo as the Deputy Regional Representative for the Africa office.

In his new role, Malo will deputise Dr Abebe Haile Gabriel, the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, at the FAO continental office based in Accra, Ghana.

The appointment comes at a time when food and nutrition security remains a major priority across Africa, compounded by the growing impacts of climate change on agriculture and livelihoods.

Malo transitions to the continental role from South Sudan, where he has served as the FAO Country Representative since 2019.

During his tenure, he worked closely with the government and key stakeholders to deliver notable milestones in the agriculture sector.

His work focused on strengthening cooperative development, expanding irrigation initiatives, improving urban market systems, and supporting humanitarian interventions aimed at boosting food production and resilience among vulnerable communities.

“I am grateful to the Director General for this appointment. This comes at a critical time for FAO that is a lead UN agency working directly towards the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals through transformation of agrifood systems to make them MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems through better production, better nutrition, better environment, and for a better life, leaving no one behind,” Malo said.

With decades of experience across national, regional and international platforms, Dr Malo brings a wealth of technical and policy expertise to the Africa coordination office.

His professional journey with FAO began in 2007 when he joined the organisation’s Subregional Office for Eastern Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as an Integrated Natural Resources Officer.

Over the years, he rose through the ranks, serving as a Land and Water Technical Officer before later becoming an Advisor in the Office of the Director-General at FAO’s global headquarters in Rome, Italy.

His appointment is seen as a boost to FAO’s efforts to accelerate the transformation of agrifood systems across the continent, particularly as African countries grapple with climate shocks, conflict, rising food prices and persistent malnutrition.

Malo is academically well-grounded, holding a doctoral degree in Agronomy from Kenyatta University in Kenya.

He also earned a Master’s degree in Dryland Biodiversity from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (Planning and Management) from Kenyatta University.

FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations mandated to lead international efforts to defeat hunger.

The organisation coordinates global and regional actions to accelerate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting countries to sustainably transform their agrifood systems.

In Africa, FAO works to ensure food security for all by promoting access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that enables people to live active and healthy lives.