Oliver K. Kirui is a Research Fellow in the Development Strategies and Governance Unit, based in Nairobi. He is currently part of the team leading the establishment of the Sudan Strategy Support Program, which aims to develop research-based policy solutions, build coalitions for policy change, and co-create innovative analytical tools in close collaboration with several partners.

Oliver conducts and supports research related to several policy-relevant topics such as agricultural and economic transformation, markets and trade, livelihoods and nutrition, development strategy and investment planning, and resilience of agriculture under climate change and extreme weather events. Oliver is experienced in managing and conducting evidence-based research, building coalitions and working with multiple stakeholders, and conceptualizing, conducting, and communicating research outputs to various audiences.

Before joining IFPRI, he worked as a Senior Researcher and Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany. He also worked as a Research Associate at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), based in Nairobi. Oliver has collaborated with many colleagues and partners to produce policy-relevant publications (journal articles, discussion and working papers, project reports, and policy briefs) in several thematic areas. He received his PhD in Development Economics from the University of Bonn.