Esther Ngumbi

Agricultural scientist and advocate for sustainable food systems in Africa

Dr. Esther Ngumbi is a Tanzanian-American entomologist and professor whose work revolutionized agricultural practices across sub-Saharan Africa. Born in a rural village without electricity, she overcame extreme poverty to become one of Africa's leading voices in food security. Her groundbreaking research on pest management strategies for African crops like maize and cowpea has increased yields by 30-50% in smallholder farms. Through her organization African Food Hub, she empowers women farmers with innovative techniques. Dr. Ngumbi's TED Talk 'The Tiny Insects That Could Save Millions of Lives' (2021) reached 2.3 million viewers. She advises the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and co-authored the 2022 Nature study on climate-resilient crops. Recently appointed to the African Union's Food Systems Task Force, her work directly impacts 600 million farmers across the continent.