Prof. Rewe Thomas (Dr. sc. agr.) is an Associate Professor of Integrated Agro-Systems at Pwani University, Kenya, and the World Bioeconomy Association (WBA) Ambassador for East Africa, based in Kenya. He provides strategic leadership across bioeconomy policy, education, and partnerships, with a strong focus on advancing circular and regenerative bioeconomy solutions in the region.
He currently serves as Coordinator of Kenya’s National Bioeconomy Education and Policy Framework (Bio-KE), Co-Chair of the Green Bioeconomy Coalition of Africa Working Group, and Secretariat Lead of the Africa Bioeconomy University (ABU) Alliance. Through these roles, Prof. Rewe supports the alignment of research, higher education, policy, and innovation ecosystems to accelerate sustainable bioeconomy transitions across Africa.
As WBA Ambassador, Prof. Rewe works to strengthen WBA’s engagement in East Africa by fostering regional collaboration, expanding membership, and increasing the visibility of circular bioeconomy initiatives. His work actively supports stakeholders across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, and the wider East Africa region.
Nationally, Prof. Rewe has held senior academic leadership roles, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at Great Lakes University of Kisumu, where he oversaw academic quality assurance, postgraduate training, research governance, and ethics review systems. He is also a member of Kenya’s National Scientific and Ethics Committee (NACOSTI), contributing to national research oversight and ethical standards.
Regionally and internationally, he has led and contributed to major donor-funded initiatives supported by DANIDA, FAO, SNV, CCAC-UNEP, Erasmus+, and national research funds. His work focuses on waste-to-wealth innovations, bioenergy and biogas systems, agro-industrial waste valorization, climate-smart and regenerative agriculture, and sustainable food systems.
A committed researcher, mentor, and science-to-policy advocate, Prof. Rewe has supervised numerous postgraduate students and published widely in peer-reviewed journals. His career reflects a strong commitment to translating research into impact and building inclusive partnerships that advance a resilient, circular bioeconomy for East Africa and beyond.
