New Chief Executive for NEPAD

A leading international agricultural economist, Prof. Firmino G. Mucavele of Mozambique has been appointed new Chief Executive of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) secretariat with effect from August 2005.

Prof. Mucavele takes over from Prof. Wiseman Nkuhlu who will continue to serve as a member of the NEPAD Steering Committee.

A distinguished university lecturer, Professor Mucavele was invited in 2000 by the United Nations (UN) to integrate a team of experts to map out a development programme for a rapid transfer of technologies to the developing countries.

This served as basis for the third conference on science and technology for the development of Least Developed Countries organised by the United Nations.

February 2001, saw him integrating the Steering Committee of African Economists to develop the Millennium Africa Recovery Program (MAP).

This programme was approved by the Heads of African States in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001 and became the New African Initiative, whereas on 23 October, 2001, in Abuja Nigeria, it was designated the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Professor Mucavele in 1995, was one of the three consultants involved in the evaluation of the food, agriculture and natural resources sector coordinating units of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

A reputed agricultural economist, he was involved in the evaluation of agriculture and trade programmes, rural development financing and training in food security and nutrition programs.

He had served as consultant for the USAID, OXFAM Belgica, World Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers in missions of food security analysis, environmental economic analysis, agricultural markets liberalisation in Mozambique and rural development.

Professor Mucavele, who has authored a large number of publications in his field, holds a PhD in food and resource economics from the University of Florida.

A member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists and a number of other professional associations, he also served as a Special Advisor to the President of Mozambique.Professor Mucavele, who has served as a member of the NEPAD Steering Committee, would be assisted by two Deputy Chief Executives, Dr
Hesphina Rukato, who has been the NEPAD Environment and Tourism Advisor since 2002, and Ambassador Stephen Olukorede Willoughby.