Ephraim Nsingi Mayani

A Congolese environmental activist who pioneered community-led reforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ephraim Nsingi Mayani (1948–2019) stands as a towering figure in environmental conservation within Central Africa. Born in the village of Kikwit, Mayani witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of deforestation and soil erosion in the Congo Basin. Unlike mainstream environmentalists of his time, Mayani focused on empowering local communities to lead reforestation efforts, blending traditional knowledge with modern agroforestry techniques.

In the 1980s, Mayani founded the Green Roots Collective, a grassroots movement that trained over 50,000 villagers in sustainable land management. His ‘Tree-to-Table’ initiative not only revitalized degraded land but also linked reforestation to food security by promoting fruit-bearing native trees. By 2005, his efforts had restored 12,000 hectares of forest, creating a blueprint for participatory conservation in post-colonial nations.

Mayani’s work gained global recognition when he challenged international NGOs for their top-down approaches during the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Summit. His TED Talk, ‘Why Forests Need Villagers’, went viral, reshaping discourse on climate justice. Despite threats from logging companies, he continued advocating until his death, leaving a legacy of resilience and community-driven ecology.