The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has 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 ‘forgotten’ or underutilized crops such as fonio, and the empowerment of women farmers.

Welcoming her as an 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 to 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 which this year also marks FAO’s 80th anniversary.

Chef Binta has collaborated with Food and Agriculture Organization since the International Year of Millets 2023, during which fonio was spotlighted as a nutritious and climate-resilient food.
She has also worked with FAO in Ghana on training 100 women fonio producers on better fonio production techniques including introducing mechanized fonio processing.

Over the next two years, Chef Binta will use her voice to continue advocating for Africa’s ‘forgotten foods’ and women farmers.