Hailemariam Desalegn, Ethiopia’s former prime minister, is no stranger to the weight of national responsibility. But in recent years, he’s taken on something even bigger: building Africa’s future in the face of climate change. In April 2025, Desalegn was appointed Chairman of the African Green Growth Council (AGGC)—a high-level advisory body formed by the African Development Bank and UNECA to spearhead the continent’s transition to green, inclusive growth.
As Ethiopia’s former leader, Desalegn championed the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy, which has since been used as a model across East Africa. Under his new role, he’s pushing to replicate that success continent-wide, advocating for major investment in renewable energy, and climate-smart agriculture.
But he isn’t just talking policy, he’s brokering deals. In May, during the Africa Climate Investment Forum in Kigali, he helped secure a landmark $1.2 billion blended finance agreement for solar and wind energy projects in six African countries. His work also emphasizes local ownership—calling for climate strategies that are “designed in Africa, for Africa.”
His leadership brings a calming gravitas to a global conversation that too often sidelines African voices. With Desalegn at the helm, Africa isn’t just participating in the green revolution—it’s leading it.
