Nelson Torto is the Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), a pan African organisation which  drives sustainable development in Africa through science technology and innovation.

Prior to joining the AAS, he was the founding CEO of the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), which values cocreation and empathy. He was the Head of Chemistry at Rhodes University, and Associate Professor  at the University of Botswana. He is a recipient of several international awards, has served in various capacities in African and international networks and organisations as well as editorial boards.