James Wangu
Food Systems Transformation Associate

Dr. James Wangu is a Food System Transformation Associate in Africa at World Resources Institute (WRI). He is a sustainable and inclusive development enthusiast, who is passionate about food systems transformation in the region. At WRI, James plays a central role in research and development of the food program that seeks to transform regional food systems via four interlocking objectives:
- Produce nutrient-dense foods.
- Protect natural ecosystems from agricultural conversion and degradation.
- Restore degraded ecosystems and increase productivity.
- Reduce food loss and waste.
Previously, James coordinated and facilitated a knowledge creation and learning network of international development professionals from 10 sub-Saharan Africa countries with a focus on inclusive and sustainable land governance and land-based investments. In 2020-2021, he developed a curriculum on the global food systems for the Washington DC based Leland International Hunger Fellows Program at Congressional Hunger Center.
James holds a PhD in International Development from Utrecht University, the Netherlands, and MSc in Sustainable Development - Environmental Science, from the same university. His PhD research assessed the contribution of inclusive agribusiness to smallholder households’ food and nutrition security.
Projects
Building Vital Landscapes for Sustainable and Resilient Growth in Africa
Visit ProjectWRI Africa provides high-quality data and analyses and partners with entrepreneurs, policymakers and community organizations to accelerate the transformation of African landscapes.
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