Kandeh Yumkella

Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella is married to Philomena Yumkella and has two daughters. The family lives in Vienna, Austria, where Yumkella works for the UNIDO at the Vienna International Centre.

Kandeh Yumkella was born on July 5, 1959, in the town of Kychom, in the Kambia District of Sierra Leone’s Northern Province.

In 1982, Yumkella received his bachelor’s degree in General Agriculture from the Njala University College of Sierra Leone.

In 1986, Yumkella completed a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics at Cornell University, United States.

In 1991, Yumkella received his doctorate in Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois, where he would later hold academic positions.

From 1987 through 1996, Yumkella held various academic posts at the University of Illinois and at Michigan State University.

In 1994, just three years after receiving his doctorate from the University of Illinois, Yumkella was named the Minister for Trade, Industry and State Enterprises in Sierra Leone. He held the post until 1995.

In 1996, Yumkella was named the Special Advisor to the UNIDO Director-General, then Mauricio de Maria y Campos, and began his work for the United Nations International Development Organization.

Between 1996 and 2000, he served within UNIDO as the Director of the Africa and Least Developed Countries Regional Bureau.

In June of 2006, Yumkella was awarded the ‘Prix De la Fondation’ for his work in global leadership and development. He was presented with the prize by Prince Albert of Monaco.

In 2008, Yumkella was awarded the Champion of Youth Award at the 4th World Youth Congress in Quebec City, Canada.

In 2008, the University of Madras awarded Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella with an honorary degree in recognition of his public services.

The Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade has named Yumkella as an Honorary Distinguished Visiting Professor.

In March 2011, Yumkella was awarded a Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Njala University in Njala, Sierra Leone.