African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) FELLOWS

The African Association of Agricultural Economists values the hard work and contributions of its members. AAAE recognizes those contributions by presenting honorary Fellow Awards. The Honorary Fellow/Distinguished Lifetime Membership Award is bestowed to a small but very distinguished group of individuals, who have been recognized for providing enormous scholarly and leadership contributions for a significant period of years, of continuous and extraordinary service to the African agricultural development. Since the Award was introduced in 2007, AAAE has awarded 45 Honorary Fellow recognitions. 

On the 20th of September 2023, the African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE), during its 7th African Conference of Agricultural Economists in Durban, South Africa, bestowed its highest honour upon five distinguished individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of agricultural economics and agribusiness across Africa. These luminaries were recognized as the AAAE Distinguished Fellows of 2023:

  1. Dr. Namanga Ngongi (Cameroon): Dr. Ngongi, a Cameroonian luminary, held the prestigious position of President at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to improving agricultural practices and food security in Africa have had a profound and lasting impact.
  2. Prof. Ruth Oniang’o (Kenya): Professor Oniang’o, a distinguished Kenyan nutritionist and agricultural economist, has devoted her career to addressing the nutritional challenges facing Africa. Her innovative research and advocacy have paved the way for more sustainable and nutritious food systems on the continent.
  3. Prof. Edward Mabaya (Zimbabwe): A stalwart in the field, Professor Mabaya, who serves as a faculty member at Cornell University, has been a driving force behind agricultural research and policy formulation. His work has significantly contributed to the development of resilient and efficient agricultural systems in Africa.
  4. Dr. Jonas Chianu (Nigeria): Dr. Chianu, with a rich background at the African Development Bank, has been at the forefront of financial strategies and investments to support agricultural development. His expertise in project financing and development has positively impacted numerous agricultural initiatives across the continent.
  5. Mr. Mamadou Biteye OBE (Ghana): Mr. Biteye’s exemplary service at the African Capacity Building Foundation has been instrumental in strengthening the human and institutional capacity needed for sustainable agricultural development in Africa. His dedication has facilitated the growth and empowerment of African institutions. The AAAE Distinguished Fellows program was started in 2007. The Distinguished Fellow represent a group of leaders who have not only contributed to the advancement of the agricultural economics sector in Africa but have also worked tirelessly to enhance food security, economic development, and sustainable agricultural practices across the continent.  Their collective wisdom and commitment serve as an inspiration to the current crop of leaders and future generations of agricultural economists and practitioners, demonstrating the significant positive impact that their visionary leadership and dedicated efforts have had on Africa’s agricultural landscape.

2007: 4 Fellow Awards

  1. Dr. Dunstan Spencer
  2. Dr. Simeon Ehui
  3. Prof. Adrian Mukhebi
  4. Prof. Anthony Ikpi

2010: 30 Fellow Awards

1.     Prof. Abiodun Falusi2.     Dr. Anna K. Tibaijuka3.     Prof. Chris Ackello-Ogutu
4.     Prof. Achi Atsain5.     Dr. Isaac Minde6.     Prof. Johann Kirsten
7.     Prof. George Abalu8.     Dr. Josue Dione9.     Prof. Kimsey Savadogo
10.   Prof. Jacques Pegatienan11.   Dr. Ousmane Badiane12.   Prof. Nick Vink
13.   Prof. Joseph K Olayemi14.   Dr. Timothy Williams15.   Prof. Rashid Hassan
16.   Prof. Yakubu Fabiyi17.   Prof. Awudu Abdulai18.   Prof. Stella Williams
19.   Prof. Willis Oluoch-Kosura20.   Prof. Christopher B. Barrett21.   Prof. Philip C. Abbott
22.   Dr. John K Lynam23.   Prof. Joachim von Braun24.   Prof. Ralph Christy
25.   Prof. Prabhu Pingali26.   Prof. John Staatz27.   Prof. William A. Masters
28.   Dr. Walter J. Armbruster29.   Prof. Peter Hazell30.   Prof. David Norman

2013: 5 Fellow Awards

  1. Dr. Juliana Rwelamira
  2. Rev. Prof. Samuel Asuming-Brempong
  3. Dr. Hugo De Groote
  4. Prof. Keijiro Otsuka
  5. Prof. Thomas Jayne

2016: 6 Fellow Awards

  1. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
  2. Prof. Egnonto Koffi-Tessio
  3. Prof. Joseph Saa Dittoh
  4. Prof. Victor Okoruwa
  5. Prof. Greg Traxler
  6. Prof. Gerald Shively

2019: 5 Fellow Awards

  1. Dr. Augustine Langyintuo: Ghana
  2. Dr. Olagoke Oladapo: Nigeria
  3. Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola: Nigeria
  4. Dr. Uma Lele: USA
  5. Prof. Richard Mkandawire: Malawi

2023: 5 Fellow Awards

  1. Dr. Namanga NGONGI (CAMEROON) – Former President, AGRA
  2. Prof. Ruth ONIANG’O (KENYA) – a Kenyan nutritionist and ag. economist
  3. Prof. Edward MABAYA (ZIMBABWE) – Cornell University
  4. Dr. Jonas CHIANU (NIGERIA) – formerly African Development Bank
  5. Mr. Mamadou Biteye OBE (GHANA) – African Capacity Building Foundation

African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) DISTINGUISHED FELLOWS 2019

20 September 2019

  1. Dr. Augustine Langyintuo: Ghana
  2. Dr. Olagoke Oladapo: Nigeria
  3. Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola: Nigeria
  4. Dr. Uma Lele: USA
  5. Prof. Richard Mkandawire: Malawi