He will be based at the FAO Africa office in Accra, Ghana, supporting continental leadership at a moment of intense food and climate pressures.
After years of working alongside nati
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, has appointed Dr Malo as Deputy Regional Representative for Africa. He will be based at FAO’s Africa regional office in Accra, Ghana, where he will deputise Dr Abebe Haile Gabriel, the Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa.
A leadership move at a “make-or-break” moment for food security
Across Africa, food and nutrition security remains a pressing priority—made even harder by climate shocks that disrupt farming seasons, strain water resources, and undermine livelihoods. Against this backdrop, the FAO says strengthening continental coordination and accelerating practical solutions for resilient agrifood systems is more urgent than ever.
Leaving South Sudan with a record of field delivery
Dr Malo steps into the regional role from **South Sudan, where he has served as FAO Country Representative since 2019. During that period, he worked closely with government and key stakeholders on initiatives aimed at improving how food systems function in challenging settings—supporting cooperative development, advancing irrigation efforts, strengthening urban market systems, and contributing to humanitarian actions designed to boost production and resilience among vulnerable communities.
“Better production, better nutrition, better environment and Better Life”
In a statement following his appointment, Dr Malo framed the transition as both an honour and a responsibility, noting that the timing is critical for FAO and for countries working toward the Sustainable Development Goals. He highlighted FAO’s ambition to support more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems—captured in the organisation’s “better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life” vision.
A FAO journey built across Africa and headquarters
Dr Malo’s FAO career began in 2007 at the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa in **Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he joined as an Integrated Natural Resources Officer. He later served as a Land and Water Technical Officer, before moving to FAO headquarters in **Rome, Italy, as an Advisor in the Office of the Director-General.
Academic background
Dr Malo is academically trained in agriculture and environmental systems, holding:
- a PhD in Agronomy from Kenyatta University
- a Master’s degree in Dryland Biodiversity from Addis Ababa University
- a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies (Planning and Management)
About FAO
FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations mandated to lead international efforts to defeat hunger. In Africa, it works with countries and partners to expand access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food—while supporting the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems in line with the 2030 Agenda.
