By Joyce Ojanji
QualiBasic Seed Company (QBS) has appointed Paul Kapapula as the new Managing Director effective December 1, 2024.
QBS is a leading provider of Foundation Seed, serving seed companies across East and Southern Africa. It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with subsidiaries in Zambia and South Africa.
Kapapula, who holds a degree in Agricultural Economics and a master’s degree in Management Strategy, will take over from Andy Watt who proceeds to retirement in June 2025, after serving the organization for seven years. Watt will remain as Executive Director during the transition period and subsequently serve as a Non-Executive Director on the QBS Board.
Before his appointment, he held leadership roles at Bayer, Pioneer, and Syngenta, consistently driving innovation and business growth. Kapapula brings extensive experience and a passion for transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape.
Reaffirming his appointment, he said that QBS is uniquely positioned to revolutionize African agriculture by bridging the gap between research and commercialization.
‘’My focus will be on leveraging cutting-edge technologies, to address food security challenges and empower African farmers. QBS will support Africa’s agricultural sector with world-class foundation seed, enabling seed companies to bring cutting-edge technologies to market. The adoption of new production technologies and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices will remain key priorities as we continue to drive innovation and impact across the continent,” Kapapula emphasized.
While welcoming him to QBS, Dr. McLean Sibanda, Chair of the QBS Board also paid glowing tribute to Watt, saying that he has been instrumental in establishing QBS as a leading seed company in Africa, driving innovation and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
However, he expressed enthusiasm for Kapapula’s appointment, noting that his extensive experience and strategic vision align perfectly with QBS’s mission. “His leadership will propel QBS to new heights, enabling us to capitalize on emerging opportunities and address the pressing challenges facing African agriculture.
“We have laid a solid foundation by delivering quality seed, fostering trust with our customers, and developing a highly competent team. I am confident that Paul will continue to drive the company’s success,” Dr. Sibanda said.
QBS’s impact on the agricultural sector is evident in the milestones achieved since its inception. The company has established operations in Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa, built a reputation for quality and reliability in the seed industry, introduced advanced hybrid seed production, and formed a strategic partnership with the Soybean Innovation Lab to support African agriculture.
These accomplishments have solidified QBS as a trusted partner within the agriculture value chain, driving innovation and sustainability across the continent. These achievements have solidified QBS as a trusted partner in the agriculture value chain, advancing innovation and sustainability throughout the region.
