Rate My Professor Florence Mtambanengwe

Professor Florence Mtambanengwe is the Executive Director for Research, Innovation and Industrialisation at the University of Zimbabwe, where she is also a Full Professor of Applied Ecology and Agro-systems Development in the Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Food Systems. She earned her PhD in Agriculture (Soil Science), MPhil in Science (Applied Ecology), and BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Zimbabwe. With over 30 years in academia and extension services, she has trained and collaborated with public and private extension workers, farmer organisations, researchers, academics, NGOs, regional and international research organizations, and policymakers to promote sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced livelihoods among smallholder communities.

In her leadership capacity as the inaugural Executive Director, she has driven the implementation of the Research-Innovation-Industrialisation Ecosystem aligned with the Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy, establishing the UZ Innovation Hub, UZ Industrial Incubation Centre, and UZAgro-Industrial Park, which have led to the registration of over 50 start-up companies. Her research focuses on the ecology and functioning of agricultural and natural ecosystems for sustainable development, household food and nutrition security, and climate change adaptation, with specializations in soil fertility, nutrient cycling, environmental management, and farming systems analysis. She has produced over 120 publications in peer-reviewed regional and international journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. Notable recognitions include Fellowship of the International Science Council since December 2022, ranking No. 5 among Zimbabwe’s top 500 scientists in 2023 and top 10 in 2024 per the AD Scientific Index in Agriculture & Forestry / Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition, Diamond Winner of the 2022 Director of the Year Megafest Business Awards, and finalist in the 2018 Pan-Africa Awards of CEO Global Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government in the Education sector. She chairs the National Biotechnology Authority Board of Zimbabwe, vice-chairs Kutsaga, and serves on panels including the United Nations High Level Panel of Experts project team on agroecological approaches, UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship review panel, FAO’s Global Soils Laboratory Network, RUFORUM, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Global Fellows Network.