New CEO Mandla Nkomo to Lead Partners in Food Solutions into a New Era

The Impact of Partners in Food Solutions: An Interview with New CEO Mandla Nkomo

Partners in Food Solutions (PFS) has been making a significant impact on the African food system for the past 16 years. By pairing volunteers from U.S. companies with African businesses, PFS has helped improve food processing, business operations, and supply chains in order to grow local economies and add value to crops. Now, with the appointment of Mandla Nkomo as the new CEO, the organization is poised to expand its reach and create even more opportunities for growth.

Nkomo, who brings a wealth of experience in food, agriculture, and economic development, is excited about the potential for PFS to make an even greater impact. In a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on why he joined PFS, the changing demographics in Africa driving the continent’s needs, and how the organization plans to expand its philanthropic efforts.

One of the key factors driving Africa’s food needs is its changing demographics. With a rapidly growing population of young people and increasing urbanization, there is a need to provide food to large urban populations on a scale that the continent has not seen before. Nkomo believes that building strong connections between rural food producers and urban consumers is essential to meeting this challenge and unlocking the potential of Africa’s talent pool.

In order to expand the philanthropic side of PFS, Nkomo plans to deepen the organization’s impact, grow its base of corporate partners, and reach more countries on the African continent. By leveraging the expertise of global food companies like General Mills and Cargill, PFS can continue to support a food-processing revolution in Africa and create sustainable and thriving businesses.

The impact of PFS can already be seen in success stories like Comaco, a client that started with a conservation project in Zambia and has since become one of the largest consumer goods companies in the country. By creating incentives for rural communities to preserve biodiversity and turning their products into commercial food products, PFS has helped transform small development projects into thriving businesses.

The Minnesota connection is also important to PFS, as it continues the giving tradition that the state is known for. Nkomo is committed to creating more opportunities for residents of Minnesota to contribute to PFS, whether through their time, donations, or support from their employers. By harnessing the generosity and expertise of the Minnesota community, PFS can continue to make a positive impact on the African food system.

Overall, Nkomo is excited about the potential for PFS to create even more opportunities and expand its reach in the coming years. With a focus on unlocking human potential, building strong connections between rural and urban communities, and leveraging the expertise of global food companies, PFS is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the African food system.