Rachel Chikwamba
CGIAR Board, Independent Voting Member
Dr Rachel Chikwamba is Group Executive for Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences at the CSIR and a seasoned executive with leadership experience in research, innovation, commercialisation, strategy, and business development. She led the development of the CSIR’s organisational and commercialisation strategies, including the establishment of a standalone commercialisation company.
With a background in genetics, she oversees a diverse portfolio spanning agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and advanced materials, and has secured funding through national and international partnerships. Dr Chikwamba has served on several governance and advisory board, including the Boards of AfricaRice, Icrisat, IFPRI, among others.
Dr Chikwamba serves and is a member of the African Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET), advising African Union Member States on technology-driven economic development.
