ABOUT US
We envision a future where agrivoltaic systems are integral to global agricultural practices, providing dual benefits of solar energy generation and agricultural production. Our goal is to establish agrivoltaics as a cornerstone of climate-smart agriculture, enhancing food security, sustainability, and the well-being of farmers and communities worldwide.
Photo credits: Angela Heinssen.
Team
FOOD. ENERGY. WATER SECURITY.
We are a diverse team of experts in various fields including global food security, development finance, and agriculture science dedicated to assisting developing nations at the nexus of food, energy and water security.
Mr Chris Hegadorn (C4SA Lead Organizer)
Chris Hegadorn is Adjunct Professor of Global Food Politics at Sciences Po University in Paris where he teaches graduate courses on global food systems and the links between agriculture, climate and health. Mr Hegadorn is also a Consulting Fellow with Chatham House, and works to promote food system resilience via crisis simulation, as well as food/energy security via innovative policy applications such as agrivoltaics. A retired U.S. diplomat, Mr Hegadorn spent nearly three decades in international development and multilateralism, serving tours in Asia, Africa, the Near East and the UN, including nearly four years as Executive Secretary of the UN’s Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in Rome. He is a father of three and presently lives in Paris with his partner.
Dr Debisi Araba
Dr. Debisi Araba is a public policy, innovation, and strategy specialist working at the intersection of food systems, the environment, and entrepreneurship. He is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, and a member of the Malabo Montpellier Panel of experts supporting agricultural development and food security in Africa. Previously, he served as Managing Director of the Africa Green Revolution Forum and as Africa Region Director at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT–CGIAR), and has advised the Government of Nigeria on environmental policy in agriculture.
Ms Elizabeth (“Lizzy”) Biney-Amissah
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Biney-Amissah is the Managing Partner of TBrA X Ventures, an investment and advisory firm that is part of The Boardroom Africa (TBrA) Group. She was most recently a Partner at E3 Capital (formerly Energy Access Ventures), investing in decarbonized, decentralized, and digitalized smart energy and infrastructure technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, where she led a pioneering investment round in a catalytic off-grid utility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nuru, amongst other deals in agritech, and commercial and industrial solar.
Mr Karel Callens
Karel Callens is an international agrifood systems and sustainability expert with more than 30 years of experience working across agriculture, nutrition, environment, and development policy, with a strong focus on Africa. He has held senior leadership roles, including at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), where he led global initiatives on agrifood systems transformation, One Health, and science–policy-society integration. Karel is known for his systems-based, yet pragmatic approach to complex challenges, bridging policy, science, and practice to support resilient, inclusive agrifood systems. His work is driven by a commitment to long-term sustainability, equity, and human and planetary health.
Mr Magnus Magnuson
​Magnus Magnusson is a project finance, business development, and ESG specialist with three decades of experience across public and private infrastructure, with a strong focus on green energy and emerging markets. His career spans Nordic finance institutions, the UN Capital Development Fund, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside senior roles with the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Nordic Council of Ministers. He recently served as Director of the UNESCO Central Asia Office and is currently the CEO and founder of Capital4D.
Ms Aissa Ndiaye
Aïssa NDIAYE is a notaire in Paris and advises private banks and international clients on property and land projects, as well as matters relating to the organisation of their assets. Aïssa is also a delegate to the Conseil Supérieur du Notariat of France for the Africa department. She works on legal and social issues in collaboration with governments and representatives of African states. Finally, Aissa is a Board member of the French-African Foundation Committee, which, under the patronage of the President of the French Republic, is tasked with identifying talented individuals who will play an important role in Franco-African political and economic relations (Young Leaders Programme).
Mr Andrew Roche
Andrew Roche is managing director at FINEXIM Emerging Market Solutions, a Paris-based consultancy firm specializing in sovereign debt management and restructuring. He has worked in development finance and accompanied government authorities, mostly in west and central Africa, on public finance management as well as the mobilization of new multilateral, bilateral and private financing for over 20 years. Given the inadequate energy grid in low-income countries, Andrew supports agrivoltaics as a powerful way to combine renewable energy development, rural electrification as well as sustainable farming.
Mr Noah Wescombe
Noah is the Head of Policy at ALLFED, leading our policy division and overseeing ALLFED's policy engagements and strategy globally. With ALLFED since 2020, he has previously served as both a pro bono consultant, Research Economist, and Strategic Advisor to the Board. Noah brings experience in advising policymakers in the UK, US, and EU on environmental policy and regulation. Noah is a globally recognized resilience expert who consults for UNEP and other high-profile initiatives, advising on technical climate adaptation finance projects. He previously spent over 2 years at the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment, leading their physical climate risk programme.