The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today announced the designation of chef Fatmata Binta, an award-winning culinary innovator and advocate for African agrifood systems, as FAO regional Goodwill Ambassador for Africa.

Born in Sierra Leone and based in Ghana, chef Binta is the first African to win the prestigious Basque Culinary World Prize. Through her celebrated "Dine on a Mat" nomadic restaurant and her Fulani Kitchen Foundation, she has championed African heritage foods, underutilized crops such as fonio, and the empowerment of women farmers.

Welcoming her as a FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Director-General QU Dongyu said that in her new role chef Binta will continue to use her voice and networks to champion farmers – especially women and young farmers - promote healthy diets, highlight indigenous crops, and help reduce food loss and waste.

"A chef can inspire people to value food, the traditions that accompany it, and that respect its origins," the Director-General added.

In accepting the title, chef Binta reaffirmed her commitment to advancing FAO's mission, particularly in supporting African women farmers and promoting indigenous foods that are both nutritious and climate-resilient.

"This role means standing at the intersection of culture, food, and policy, advocating for Africa's forgotten foods, uplifting the matriarchs of our food systems, and ensuring rural communities are heard," Binta said. "With FAO, I am committed to championing indigenous knowledge, advancing food security, and working toward a just and sustainable future for all," she added.

The award was made on World Food Day as FAO this year also celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) wins FAO Achievement Award

Later in the day, FAO presented the FAO Achievement Award 2025 to Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI).

The winner was recognized for its flagship Agricultural Commercialization Cluster programme, which has successfully brought farmers together into clusters to access markets, adopt innovations, and boost productivity sustainably, becoming a model of transformation for other regions.

Accepting the award, Mandefro Nigussie, Chief Executive Officer of ATI, emphasized his Institute's continued commitment to sustainable agriculture and resilience-building.

"This recognition by FAO is both an honor and a call to do more and better," he said. "The challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and inequality remain immense. ATI stands ready to continue working hand in hand with our partners to scale innovations, empower women and youth, and build a resilient agricultural system that ensures prosperity for farmers, and other actors along the value-chains as well as nourishes generations to come."

The FAO Award for Achievement recognizes the outstanding performance of individuals or institutions that have created true impact in the efficient execution of programmes related to FAO's work in sectors such as fisheries, forestry, climate, land and water, animal and plant health. It can be awarded to any entity or individual, including FAO teams or employees, for outstanding technical cooperation or humanitarian work at country level.