Welcoming Colleta Ndunguru, Country Program Manager, Tanzania

We are very happy to announce that Colleta Ndunguru joined the World Vegetable Center on 15 July 2024, as Country Program Manager for Tanzania based at our Eastern and Southern Africa office in Arusha. Colleta is passionate about good governance, and addressing economic bottlenecks to provide solutions for sustainable food systems, by transforming economies through research-based policies and programs, and climate mitigation and adaptation practices. She also brings with her a dynamic network of development partners, spanning agriculture, finance, bilateral and multilateral development cooperation, and civil society.

Colleta has 23 years’ experience in financial institutions, specializing in governance, strategy development and implementation, resource mobilization, public-private partnerships and credit analysis. She was previously Chief of Staff at the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank where she worked closely with national and international stakeholders to enhance the agriculture development agenda. Colleta is also an Advisory Board member of the United Nations Capital Development Fund-Local Finance Initiative Program in Tanzania, and Chair of the Primary School Committee at the Haven of Peace Academy. She holds a Masters in Development Policy and Practice from the University of Cape Town, is certified by the Tanzanian Institute of Directors, with certificates in environmental, social and governance (ESG), credit analysis and project finance.

Colleta Ndunguru, being shown around Africa’s Vegetable Genebank in Arusha, by Gabriel Rugalema, Associate Director General – Africa, and Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa

“I see that I am surrounded here by phenomenal scientists, administrators, program coordinators and partners who are keen on research and development of vegetables for better health, nutrition and incomes,” says Colleta. “And I see an institution built on solid ground, with a global footprint, and well placed to serve Tanzania and the world at large. I am particularly excited by the genebank, and the youth who are using new agricultural technologies to find solutions for addressing unemployment and resolving food security issues. I will strive to maintain the quality standards of the center, and to engage and expand the strong partnerships that have been built over the years, to ensure that we go on improving nutrition and farmer incomes for current and future generations.” Welcome, Coletta!