As the Managing Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute (WRI), she leads transformative efforts aimed at restoring ecosystems, combating climate change, and ensuring that Africa’s development is both inclusive and sustainable.

She is the daughter of the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, a pioneer in environmental activism who founded the Green Belt Movement—an organization that has planted millions of trees while advocating for women’s empowerment and good governance.

Wanjira continues her mother’s legacy by driving initiatives that place African communities at the heart of climate solutions while ensuring that environmental restoration translates into economic prosperity for the continent.

Shaping Africa’s Climate and Development Future

Wanjira’s mission is clear: to drive Africa’s sustainable growth through climate action, nature-based solutions, and the empowerment of local communities.

She believes Africa must not only combat climate change but also seize the opportunities presented by the global green economy to create jobs, restore degraded lands, and ensure food security.

Her work at WRI focuses on three critical areas: restoring Africa’s landscapes and natural ecosystems, accelerating climate action and renewable energy, and championing women and youth in climate leadership.

Through these efforts, she is shaping the continent’s response to environmental challenges while ensuring that sustainability drives economic and social progress.

Wanjira is a leading voice in the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), a groundbreaking program that aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

By advocating for large-scale land restoration, she seeks to reverse desertification, enhance biodiversity, and improve agricultural productivity across Africa.

She also champions the Great Green Wall initiative, an ambitious African-led movement designed to restore degraded land across the Sahel region, providing climate resilience and new economic opportunities for millions of people who depend on the land for their livelihoods.

As an advocate for climate adaptation and resilience, Wanjira ensures that African countries receive the financial and technological support necessary to transition towards low-carbon economies.

She is a strong proponent of renewable energy solutions, particularly those that empower women and marginalized communities.

Her work with the Partnership on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (wPOWER) has played a crucial role in advancing access to clean energy, reducing dependency on harmful fossil fuels, and promoting sustainable livelihoods through green entrepreneurship.

Wanjira Mathai is also a global advocate for gender equity in environmental leadership, ensuring that women and young people are actively included in climate decision-making.

She chairs the Wangari Maathai Foundation, a platform that nurtures youth leadership in environmental conservation and civic engagement.

Through this foundation, she empowers young Africans to take charge of their future, advocating for policies and practices that support both environmental sustainability and social justice.  

Beyond her work in Africa, Wanjira is a recognized thought leader on the global stage, influencing key environmental and economic policies.