Ugandan climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate has been appointed Special Envoy for Youth by African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, giving the prominent environmental campaigner a new platform to champion youth participation in Africa’s development.
Nakate, known for advocating climate action and amplifying the voices of young people across Africa, will work with the AU Commission Chairperson to strengthen youth engagement in shaping the continent’s policies, programmes and development priorities.
Her appointment highlights the growing importance of young people in Africa’s decision-making processes, particularly as the continent confronts climate change, environmental degradation, unemployment and other challenges affecting future generations.
From Climate Activism to Continental Leadership
Nakate rose to prominence through her efforts to bring greater attention to the climate crisis and its impact on African communities. She became Uganda’s first Fridays for Future climate activist and founded the Rise Up Movement, which seeks to amplify the voices of African climate activists in global conversations.
Her advocacy has consistently called for greater recognition of Africa’s climate challenges and the need for solutions that reflect the experiences of communities most affected by environmental change.
Among her campaigns is an initiative to protect the Congo Basin rainforest, one of the world’s most important tropical forest ecosystems, from deforestation. The campaign attracted wider international attention to the environmental threats facing the region.
Nakate has also advocated practical climate solutions, including projects promoting the installation of solar energy systems and institutional cooking stoves in schools.
Amplifying Young People’s Voices
Beyond her environmental work, Nakate serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and is an author. Her work has helped bring African youth perspectives into international discussions on climate justice and sustainable development.
She was among the young climate activists who spoke at the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain. She also joined other climate campaigners in calling on global leaders and business executives to end fossil fuel subsidies and take stronger action against climate change.
Her advocacy centres on the need for governments, institutions and businesses to listen to young people, particularly those from communities experiencing the consequences of climate change.
A New Platform for Youth Participation
As Special Envoy for Youth, Nakate takes on a role that connects her longstanding advocacy with the African Union’s continental agenda.
The appointment provides an opportunity to advance conversations about youth inclusion, climate resilience and the participation of young Africans in decisions affecting their present and future.
For African women and girls, her journey also offers an example of how young women can use advocacy, public engagement and leadership to influence conversations on issues extending beyond their immediate communities.
Nakate holds a degree in Business Administration, specialising in Marketing, from Makerere University Business School in Uganda.
Her appointment comes as Africa continues to grapple with the effects of climate change while seeking to expand opportunities for its young and growing population.
As she takes on her new responsibilities, Nakate’s experience in climate advocacy brings a strong focus on youth voices, environmental justice and the need for African institutions to include young people in shaping the continent’s future.
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