International Water Management Institute Appoints FUTA Alumna Olufunke Cofie as New Africa Director for Research Impact

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has announced the appointment of Olufunke Cofie, an esteemed alumna of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), as the new Africa Director for Research Impact. With over 20 years of experience in research for development across Africa, Cofie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role.

Prior to her appointment, Cofie served as IWMI's Country Representative in Ghana and Regional Representative in West Africa, where she successfully led diverse teams and implemented impactful water and agricultural research projects. Her operational experience includes high-level negotiations with public and private sector counterparts on a wide range of projects, showcasing her ability to drive significant change in the water management sector.

Cofie holds a Ph.D. in Soil Science from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), where she also served as a lecturer in the Department of Crop, Soil & Pest Management during the 1990s. Her extensive academic and professional background positions her as a leader in addressing pressing water management challenges in Africa.

The International Water Management Institute is a non-profit organization focused on international water management research, operating under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). With its headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI has established offices across Africa and Asia to support sustainable water resource management.

Olufunke Cofie’s appointment as Africa Director for Research Impact marks a significant milestone for both her career and the IWMI's mission to enhance water management practices on the continent.