Robert B. Zougmoré

Robert Zougmoré works as Principal Scientist with the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT where he leads the West and Central Africa Climate Action and the West Africa cluster of AICCRA (Accelerating-Impacts-of-CGIAR-Climate-Research-for-Africa). From 2010 to 2021, he was the Africa Program leader of the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change-Agriculture-and-Food-Security (CCAFS), at ICRISAT Bamako, Mali, where he led research initiatives and fostered partnerships to address pressing climate challenges. Agronomist and soil scientist with a PhD in Production Ecology & Resources Conservation – Wageningen University, he is Director of Research (equivalent to University Professor) under CAMES cadre. His career is spanning over 30 years dedicated to tackling critical issues such as climate change adaptation, soil fertility management, and rural development across Africa. His impactful work has significantly advanced agricultural practices and sustainability in the region. Through rigorous research, effective leadership, and passionate advocacy, Robert continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing the resilience and development of agricultural systems in West and Central Africa. As the coordinator of the AICCRA, Robert brings a wealth of experience in climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, forest ecosystems management, water science, stakeholders‘ engagement and science-policy interfacing. His leadership ensures strategic programming actions that harness climate science for actionable outcomes, impacting over 30 countries across Africa and beyond. Robert has published widely with more than 100 papers and book chapters on soil erosion, integrated soil, water and nutrient management options and their economic benefits, and climate-smart agriculture.