Wanjira Mathai

Activist, Change Agent, Concerned citizen, Connector, Environmentalist, Foodie, Idea generator, Parent, Philanthropist

Wanjira Mathai is the Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at WRI. She formerly served as VP & Regional Director for Africa, Co-chair of WRI’s Global Restoration Council and a Senior Advisor to the Global Restoration Initiative. She is also the current Chair of the Wangari Maathai Foundation and the former Chair of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya. An inspiring leader, Wanjira has over 20 years of experience advocating for social and environmental change on both local and international platforms. Over the years, Wanjira has also served important strategic and advocacy roles raising the prominence and visibility of global issues such as climate change, youth leadership, sustainable energy and landscape restoration at Women Entrepreneurs in Renewables (wPOWER), the Wangari Maathai Foundation (WMF), and the Green Belt Movement (GBM) the organisation her mother, Wangari Maathai (2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate) founded in 1977. Wanjira currently serves on the Board of the World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), as a Leadership Council member of the Clean Cooking Alliance, Member of the Global Governance Commission, and a member of the High-Level Group of the Africa-Europe Foundation. Wanjira is one of a few Six Seconds EQ Practitioners in Kenya and was named one of the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022

landscape restoration, forest protection and climate justice

Activating value chains in Nature Based Solutions, especially for women and youth entrepreneurs, is good business Africa's renewable energy future hinges on quality finance that is reliable and affordable. At the current cost of capital a solar project that is profitable in Europe is not profitable in Africa.

Africa's Energy Transformation, Climate Justice, Development, Environment, Youth Leadership

Singing, story telling, connecting