Larry Umunna joined TechnoServe in 2015 as Country Director for Nigeria. He previously served as the first Regional Representative for Africa and Country Director Nigeria for Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

In his current role as Regional Director for West Africa, Larry oversees the design, development, and implementation of TechnoServe programs across West Africa. He is also responsible for leading and coordinating efforts to position the organization as the most effective catalyst and partner for transformative, on-the-ground, market-based solutions to poverty; and mobilizing public and private sector investments for agriculture, food processing, nutrition, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood programs.

Larry has spent over two decades promoting food fortification and infant and young child nutrition to the food industry, governments, and other stakeholders.

“I am very passionate about Africa’s development; and believe that a well-coordinated public-private partnership, merged with the effective promotion of strong entrepreneurial enterprise among Africans will indeed go a long way to creating a positive, sustainable, and vibrant economic growth for Africa. TechnoServe provides me with the opportunity to contribute to the realization of that goal.”

He holds a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Benin, Nigeria and an M.Sc. degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is an alumnus of the Wits Business School, South Africa and the Lagos Business School, Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology, and a member of the South African Association of Food Science and Technology, and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.