Rita Weidinger

Rita Weidinger has extensive experience in international cooperation and development, particularly with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) from 1995 to 2008. As a Project Manager for Public Private Partnerships, Rita managed 40 projects across West and Central Africa, focusing on agricultural value chains, renewable energy, and education. Rita served as the Country Representative for Sierra Leone, overseeing anticorruption and police promotion projects, while facilitating donor coordination with entities such as the EU and World Bank. In the role of Programme Leader for the MOVE initiative, Rita promoted value chains in the ECOWAS region, working with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and private sector partners to enhance the cashew industry. Additionally, as a Programme Coordinator, Rita focused on employment promotion and private sector development linked to cocoa and livestock value chains. Rita's educational background includes training at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland from 2005 to 2006.