Awardees
Remarkable individuals and institutions who stand as beacons of sustainability across the African continent
Aso Awardees
Overview
We are proud to introduce you to the remarkable individuals and institutions who stand as beacons of sustainability across the African continent. These are the champions, the innovators, and the visionaries who have dedicated their lives to pioneering positive change.
The ASO Awards Awardees are the embodiment of Africa’s potential for environmental resilience, social progress, and economic prosperity. Each one has left an indelible mark on the landscape of sustainability, demonstrating what can be achieved when passion, dedication, and innovation converge.
The Awardees are more than honorees; they are the embodiment of Africa's potential for environmental resilience, social progress, and economic prosperity.
H.E. Amb. Khadija Almakhzoumi, MP
Honourable Amb. Khadija Mohamed Almakhzoumi is minister of Environment and Climate Change, Republic of Somalia.
Previously Somalia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Iraq, and a political advisor to the Arab League, a senior political advisor to the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a counsellor at the Somali embassy in Malaysia. As Minister of environment she has rapidly initiated and implemented innovative environmental policies, strategies, laws, and regulations with tangible impacts in disaster risk reduction, response, and community resilience all delivering and accelerating Africa’s sustainable development priorities.
Under her leadership Somalia recently launched the Great Green Wall initiative within the framework of the Somalia green initiative.
Hon Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende
A Visionary Leader Making a Difference
Mobolaji Ogunlende, an accomplished professional in the Oil and Gas sector, holds key positions in Nigeria and abroad. With degrees from prestigious institutions, including the University of Leicester and the University of Aberdeen, he’s known for his visionary leadership.
In 2016, Mobolaji founded the R.A.K Development Foundation, addressing 15 out of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. His humanitarian service has garnered international recognition.
As the Special Adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations to the Lagos State Governor, Mobolaji has made a significant impact. He’s known for empowering others and has earned several accolades, including the Pan-African Exemplary Leadership Award of Excellence.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mobolaji’s philanthropic efforts are commendable. Notable projects include partnering with Victim Support Fund’s Covid-19 Emergency Intervention Fund and establishing the first-ever recycling plant in Badagry, Lagos State.
Mobolaji Ogunlende continues to shape a brighter future as the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development in Lagos State.
Mobolaji Ogunlende: Leading with Vision and Impact.
His Excellency Mohammed Umaru Bago Governor, Niger State
H.E Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Niger State Governor was selected under the platform of APC in 2023 general elections. The Minna-born politician is from the Masaba royal family of Bida and the Jantabo royal family of Lapai and he was born on 22nd February, 1974.
He represented Chachanga Federal Constituency as a three-time Member of House of Representatives of Nigeria. He contested for Speaker in the 9th National Assembly and he came second to become the Chairman House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa.
Hon. Bago holds BSc in Political Science, PGD in Management, MBA in Economics, and MSc in Finance. He is a Distinguished Alumnus of Cambridge University, United Kingdom in 2014.
He is a Certified Management Specialist with Distinction in Time Management from the London Graduate School in 2020, and a recipient of Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) and Fellow of Humanity and Political Economy, African School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Abuja in conjunction with ESTAM University of Benin in 2021.
Hon. Bago is married to Hajiya Fatima and they are blessed with children.
Mr. Harsen Nyambe- Director
Mr. Harsen Nyambe Director, Directorate of Sustainable Environment, and Blue Economy, African Union Commission, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. A Sustainable development and environmental resilience enthusiast with great track record in promoting policies critical to Africa’s socioeconomic development sectors such as agriculture, blue economy, disaster risk reduction, energy, biodiversity including forestry, health, infrastructure and actions core to Africa’s effort to save lives and property, secure livelihoods and build resilience to the effects of climate change and achieving sustainable development towards attaining agenda 2063 aspirations (The Africa we Want).
As director of the directorate, his leadership efforts have led to the successful organization of the First Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi 2023, the Adoption of the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032), African Union Green Recovery Action Plan, Integrated launch of African Strategy on Meteorology, Weather and Climate, The Great Green Wall Strategy and Action Plan (Draft), African Union Circular Economy Action Plan (Draft), enhancing Priorities around Nature based solutions – with a focus on Biodiversity, Domestication and operationalisation of the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, and the Establishment of the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning Situation Room among others.
Thandie Mwape Villadsen
Thandie Mwape Villadsen is a Zambian National with global experience in international and development affairs spanning 20 years in Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas with the United Nations and Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. She is the Regional Humanitarian Diplomacy Coordinator (Africa Region) for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and is a lead policy advisor on climate change, ecosystem management, and related fields in disaster risk reduction and compounding risks in Africa (food security, migration, conflict, water security).
Thandie has a strong track record in advocacy, particularly on ensuring community voices are brought into mainstream policy dialogues, advocacy on access to climate finance for impact in most vulnerable communities; brokering partnerships with water as a central theme – e.g., connecting long-term water dialogues to the humanitarian field; engaging local communities, women & youth in adaptation initiatives; leading research on responsible investments, and leading high level advocacy engaging governments, private sector, academia and community voices on integrated approaches to building resilience and sustainable development. Thandie has situated the humanitarian agenda with UNFCCC Africa Group of Negotiators and currently seconded to UNFCCC COP28 Presidency as Senior Specialist, Fragility to support the Relief, Recovery and Peace thematic.
Thandie has a passion to see societal change driven by local people at the fore front of climate change/environmental degradation impacts. She is also founding member of the UNEP-led Network of African Women Environmentalists (NAWE); and is an elected Member of the Board of Directors at the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA).
Thandie holds two Master of Art degrees – MA Global Diplomacy with University of London/ SOAS; MA Leading Innovation and Change from York St John University in England. She has an advanced certificate in International Humanitarian Law with Harvard University and earlier trained as a Journalist at Evelyn Hone College in Zambia.
Estherine Lisinge Fotabong
Estherine Lisinge Fotabong is a respected Cameroonian development professional and leader in the field of sustainable development and environmental conservation in Africa. With a strong educational background in Law and Development Policy and an extensive career, Estherine has played a significant role in advancing initiatives and policies that promote sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, implementation of CAADP, community well-being, women and youth empowerment on the continent. Her work with international organizations, including World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the African Union Development Agency -NEPAD (AUDA-NEPADB), has been instrumental in shaping environmental, agriculture and development policies in Africa.
In addition to her leadership roles, Estherine has authored and co-authored several publications on policy development and implementation in the areas of sustainable development, environmental conservation, climate change, and agriculture. In recognition of her passion, dedication, and leadership towards advancing equality, empowerment, and women engagement in Africa, Estherine Lisinge Fotabong received Honorary Awards from the Governments of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in May 2014 and the Republic of Cameroon in July 2016. Her tireless dedication has made a positive impact on the lives of many people in Africa, and she continues to be a respected figure in the global development and sustainability community.
“In recognition of her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to equality, empowerment, and a better world, Estherine Lisinge Fotabongstands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. She embodies the transformative power of one individual’s commitment to shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future for youth, women, and all members of society. This award honors her outstanding contributions to the field of sustainability in Africa and her tireless efforts in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive future for all, fostering positive change in the world.”
Dr Peter Akong Minang
Dr. Peter Akong Minang is the Director for Africa, Center for International Forestry Research & World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). He is a thought leader in sustainable development on the continent, notably in the areas of climate change forestry and REDD+, ecosystems services, community forestry and landscape approaches. He has about 200 publications on the subject.
As leader of the Alternatives-to-Slash-and-Burn (ASB) Partnership since 2011, he has led innovative work on understanding dynamics along the forest margins and fighting deforestation across the humid tropics. Including approaches such as payments for ecosystem services and community forestry.
Working with COMESA- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and colleagues on the continent he contributed significantly to putting agriculture on the UNFCCC agenda. And subsequently with the AGNES- Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support to push for its advancement in the negotiations.
He recently launched the Green Tree Commodities Initiative (GTCI)- Africa. It is an ambitious strategic program that aims at enabling green growth and sustainable transformation through trees.
Wanjira Mathai
Wanjira Mathai is the Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at WRI and is the Bezos Earth Fund’s Africa Advisor. She is 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. She has been named as the 100 Most Influential African Women in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
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 organization 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 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 and 2021.