Ismahane Elouafi

Dr.
Ismahane A. Elouafi
Ismahane in 2024
Born(1971-08-15)15 August 1971
NationalityMoroccan
Alma materHassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute (Morocco), Cordoba University (Spain)
TitleExecutive Managing Director, CGIAR
Term2020–present
Board member ofInternational Food Policy Research Institute; CABI

Ismahane Elouafi (Arabic: أسمهان الوافي) is a Moroccan scientist, who currently holds the position of Executive Managing Director of CGIAR. Formerly Chief Scientist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), she is ranked among the 20 most influential women in science in the Islamic world and is internationally known for her work on promoting neglected and underutilized crops, use of non-fresh water in agriculture, and empowerment of women in science. In 2025, Time magazine listed her as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

She has nearly two decades of experience in agricultural research and development in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. She led the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from 2012 until 2020.