Dr. Yacouba Diallo
Secretary General
Dr. Diallo is an Agribusiness and Marketing Expert with over twenty years of experience in International Development including Agribusiness and Value Chain development and private Sector strengthening. Dr. Diallo’s experience has also contributed to the development of agribusiness systems in West Africa, particularly relating to private sector development and food security. He has excellent management, and communication skills that have combined to earn him leadership and high acclaim in the implementation of several programs, Private sector and economic infrastructure development. He has also delivered on Project Monitoring and evaluation (M&E), socioeconomic study; marketing and Public-Private Partnership development. Under the West Africa Seed Program, he has successfully established a regional alliance platform of agribusiness stakeholders to strengthen the regional entrepreneurship capacity of the private sector in seed business. Prior to that, he worked in various capacities for five years as a Researcher and Marketing Manager to achieve success in structuring Public-Private partnerships to increase production and exports of fruits and vegetables. His academic background is in Economic Science and Business Administration. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (Business Science Institut-BSI; - IEAE Lyon Jean Moulin 3; - CESAG), a Master Degree in Business Administration (MBA- HECI) and a Master also in International Business, Global Marketing and Internationalization (EEMI & OUAGA II ), with other post-graduate degrees in SMEs management (CIESA) and Sociology (OUAGA I). He is bilingual and proficient in English and French. In addition, he has strong problem-solving, analytical and management skills and is result-oriented with the ability to operate in a multicultural team and environment.
Mercy Bor
Head Finance & Admin
Mercy Bor is an accomplished finance professional with over 14 years of experience providing strategic leadership in financial management, planning, and governance. She has built a strong track record in strengthening financial systems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting sustainable organizational growth across the agricultural and development sectors. Her expertise spans financial reporting, budgeting, grant and donor fund management, internal controls, and risk management. Mercy is known for her ability to enhance financial accountability, streamline processes, and align financial strategies with organizational goals. She has successfully supported programmes by ensuring efficient resource utilization and compliance with donor and statutory requirements. Mercy holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K).
Kennedy Magwana
Technical Manager
Kennedy, AFSTA’s Technical Manager, is a strategic plant breeder, seed systems and product management leader with over 20 years of experience translating agricultural research into market-ready and sustainable solutions across East and Southern Africa. An accomplished small cereals breeder who has released several varieties to his name, his interest sits at the intersection of plant breeding, variety improvement, seed systems strengthening, and agribusiness development. His specialty in the development of product portfolios, advancing breeding pipelines, strengthening seed quality systems, and aligning research outputs with real market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and farmers' needs aligns well with AFSTA’s strategic goals for the advancement of the dynamic African seed industry. Ken, as he is known among his peers, has a vision of a resilient, market-driven African seed sector that sustainably delivers improved varieties, strengthening national and regional seed systems, and unlocking sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Kennedy is a holder of a Master of Science degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University (BHU), India. He also holds three Post Graduate Diplomas in Project Management, Strategic Leadership and Quality Management Systems, respectively; and CIMMYT’s certificate in variety improvement and pathology among many on-the job certificates in the seed industry.
Lindah Mbaisi
Lead, Communications, Advocacy and Outreach
Lindah is a seasoned Communications and Outreach professional with over a decade of senior-level experience designing and delivering strategic communication, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement initiatives across membership organizations, agriculture, climate change, sustainability, and development (UN-Led Initiatives) sectors in Africa. She has successfully developed & implemented communication strategies and strengthened advocacy & communications capacity within membership-based organizations, supporting members to clearly articulate sector priorities and effectively influence policy discussions. She brings a strong blend of policy insight, technical communication expertise, and regional experience that aligns closely with AFSTA’s mandate of strengthening the seed industry and promoting innovation, trade, and food security. Lindah holds a Master of Arts in International Communication from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom.
Samuel Muchiri
ICT & Logistic Officer
Sam is an experienced ICT professional with over eight years of progressive experience in the information and communication technology field. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and is ITIL® 4 certified. Sam has also obtained certifications in CCNA and CCNA 2, as well as a cybersecurity certification from Infosec focused on detecting and responding to malware within IT infrastructure. He has strong professional expertise in cybersecurity, IT service management, and systems administration, with a proven track record of supporting secure, efficient, and resilient technology environments while delivering digital solutions that enhance organizational performance. Sam is passionate about innovation and advancing the strategic use of technology within the seed sector. Beyond managing ICT operations, he is particularly interested in positioning technology not only as a supporting function but as a transformative program within organizations, driving digital adoption and practical technology use from office operations to seed technology, ultimately strengthening efficiency, connectivity, and impact across the agricultural value chain
Zachary Oracha
Office Assistant
Zachary is a dedicated Office Assistant with over 15 years of experience supporting administrative and operational functions at AFSTA. He plays a key role in ensuring smooth day-to-day office operations, maintaining an organized and efficient work environment that enables teams to perform effectively. He demonstrates strong reliability, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills, supporting tasks such as document management, scheduling, correspondence, and general office logistics. Zachary is known for his professionalism, proactive approach, and ability to adapt to evolving workplace demands, making him a valued contributor to the organization’s overall efficiency.