Triple Triumph for ICIPE

30 September 2025: It is a triple celebration at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), with three of our researchers having received globally prestigious recognition and grants, over the past several months.

From longstanding efforts that have strengthened food and nutritional security, horticultural sector, and livelihoods of millions of people; to forward-looking initiatives to tackle neglected tropical diseases and advance malaria control, the achievements of Dr Sunday Ekesi, Deputy Director General, Research for Development; Dr Steve B. S. Baleba, Scientist, Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit; and Dr Thomas Ogao Onchuru, Postdoctoral Fellow, Human Health Theme; highlight the growing leadership in scientific innovation at icipe, and in Africa.

“These achievements come at a pivotal time for icipe, as we prepare to launch the Vision and Strategy 2026 – 2030, which envisages a stronger focus for the Centre on climate action, as well as an enhanced role in agrifood systems, reduction of vector-borne diseases burden, and the conservation of the environment and biodiversity,”
–  icipe Director General, Dr Abdou Tenkouano.

Dr Ekesi has been honoured with the Justus von Liebig Award for World Nutrition 2025, endowed with €25,000 by the Foundation Fiat Panis. A globally respected entomologist, Dr Ekesi has over the past two decades contributed to the development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against invasive fruit pests, the creation and commercialization of biopesticides, and the establishment of icipe’s insects for food, feed and other uses programme.

“Dr Ekesi is a scientist’s scientist – respected by peers, loved by farmers, and trusted by partners worldwide. While he is an excellent scientist, he also always makes sure that icipe’s research addresses real-word problems. He forges alliances and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, ranging from smallholder farmers and growers, industry partners, national programmes, and national and international research partners.” – Prof. Dr Christian Borgemeister, Director of the Center for Development Research (ZEF), who presented the Laudatio at the Award ceremony, held on 10 September 2025, during the Tropentag 2025 Conference in Bonn, Germany.

“The Foundation Fiat Panis supports the generation of knowledge and its application to reduce hunger and poverty in the world. The Board of Trustees is convinced that Dr Ekesi has dedicated his life’s work to this mission.” stated Dr Andrea Fadani, Executive Director, Foundation Fiat Panis.

Dr Baleba has received the Wellcome Career Development Award, valued at over USD 2.3 million. Over the next eight years, he will lead an ambitious project to develop eco-friendly, scent-based tools to control filth flies, disease-carrying insects that spread trachoma, diarrhoea and gastrointestinal infections, causing more than 2.2 million deaths annually.