Francis Mwanza is a communications expert, researcher, and writer with decades of experience in international development, food security, and African food heritage and food systems. With a background in international development and public advocacy, he brings a unique perspective that connects global institutions with community-based solutions.

As Senior Advisor at the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF), Francis supports regional outreach and engagement, helping to amplify African voices in school feeding policy and practice.

He previously served as Head of the London Office for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), where he led external relations and advocacy efforts in the UK. He is currently leading a project in Zambia focused on repatriating and growing ‘lost’ indigenous seeds and promoting underutilized, nutritious, and climate-resilient local foods as part of Africa’s food systems transformation.

Francis, a former journalist, is passionate about preserving and promoting African food heritage – especially among schoolchildren – and advocating for the inclusion of neglected and underutilized crops in home-grown school feeding programs.

He divides his time between Zambia and Italy and is committed to celebrating African culinary traditions while advancing sustainable solutions to hunger and malnutrition. He holds a Master’s degree in International Policy and Comparative Development from the University of Bristol, UK.  Francis is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.