Dr. Chrysantus Mbi Tanga heads a programme that supports insect farming innovations as a pathway to self-reliance in agrifood systems in Africa called Insects for Food, Feed and Other Uses [INSEFF] at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe). This programme has emerged as a transformative and sustainable circular economy pathway that addresses the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, environmental degradation, and economic vulnerability in Africa. By converting organic waste into high-value market-driven innovative products [i.e., alternative feeds, food, frass fertilizers, oils, chitin/chitosan, insect-oil enriched biorationals, and biotherapeutic products], insect farming offers an efficient circular economy solution that bridges nutrition, livelihoods, and ecological resilience.

He was ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally in the 2023 and 2025 Sanford University survey and identified as a highly cited researcher. He was ranked among the top 10% scientist in Biological Science in Kenya in 2025 according to the AD Scientific Index. The web of science ranking featured Dr Tanga among top 500 authors between 2014 – 2020. Dr. Tanga was the 3rd ranked researcher in Agricultural and Biological Sciences based on number of publications according to 2021-2023 Scival Scopus. His research has primarily focused on addressing knowledge gaps and establishing a research agenda for inclusive and resilient development in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the context of circular bioeconomy interventions. His team leading the continent-wide initiative on insect-based circular solutions won global recognition and was awarded the prestigious Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize in 2020; 2023 World Academy of Sciences [TWAS] Award in Agricultural Sciences, Norman E. Borlaug Award for field research and application in 2024 sponsored by the World Food Prize Foundation and Anthropocene Award in 2026 for outstanding research impact beyond academia. 

Dr. Tanga's research has extended beyond laboratories into practice and on land to support grassroot farmers, as he has been instrumental in designing holistic scaling approaches aimed at systematically improving agricultural production, and resilience to climate change. He holds a very strong publication record comprising over 220 internationally peer-reviewed articles, his work has garnered significant recognition and has accumulated more than 8883 citations (H-index 49 and i10-index 157) according to Google Scholar. He has also contributed to various book chapters and policy documents, effectively disseminating his expertise and findings to a broader audience. Beyond his research endeavors, Dr. Tanga actively engages in resource mobilization, policy advocacy, spearheaded the development of harmonized continental standards on insect farming innovations and derived products, and outreach efforts. Tanga has played a crucial role in mentoring numerous young researchers and postgraduate students, served as an evaluator for research grants, keynotes, and provided valuable academic editorial and reviewing services.

Dr. Tanga holds a BSc in Zoology and MSc in Medical Entomology from the University of Buea, Cameroon. Dr Tanga also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural Entomology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, through icipe’s African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) - DAAD scholarship programme. Read more...