Mandla Nkomo is the Work Package Lead and Chief Growth Officer for the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) Initiative. Before joining CGIAR, Mandla was the Managing Director for Solidaridad's Southern Africa, driving meaningful change in the SADC region and Egypt. Overseeing programmatic and strategic efforts, he passionately supported thematic leads in Digital Innovations, Impact Investment, Climate Innovations, and good agricultural practices. As an integral part of the Executive Board of Directors, Mandla played a crucial role in shaping the organization's forward-thinking vision. He is a seasoned Agricultural Development Executive with a career spanning over 23 years in the sector. With a diverse background that encompasses private sector agribusiness companies, consulting firms, and international NGOs, Mandla brings a wealth of expertise to his leadership roles. His extensive work experience has taken him across multiple continents, including South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, the USA, the Netherlands, the UK, and Zimbabwe. Throughout his career, Mandla has championed initiatives empowering smallholder farmers and rural communities while elevating the agricultural landscape. In his various roles at TechnoServe, an international NGO, Mandla was instrumental as Operations Director for South Africa, Interim Country Director for South Africa and Zambia, and Senior Strategic Advisor for Southern Africa. In these capacities, he spearheaded impactful programs in horticulture, livestock production, soy, and sugarcane out-grower schemes, all with a strong emphasis on good agricultural practices. He led a project in this role that successfully aggregated smallholder farmers, supplying leading food processing companies. This model proved to be mutually beneficial, fostering prosperity for smallholders and processing companies. Mandla is a visionary strategist with more than a decade of experience establishing agribusinesses and facilitating market linkages between rural communities and established commercial entities. His innovative approach advocates for the commercialization of smallholder farmers as a viable food security strategy, thereby transforming their livelihoods and ensuring sustainable progress. His unwavering passion for agricultural development and his steadfast belief in the potential of science and digital technologies to empower rural communities underscore his commitment to fostering sustainable change. With his visionary leadership, extensive expertise, and unyielding dedication, Mandla continues to be a driving force in transforming agriculture into a force for positive change, improving livelihoods, and paving the way for a more resilient and prosperous future.