Fatima Jibrell

A Somali environmental activist and entrepreneur leading sustainable development initiatives in the Horn of Africa

Introduction

Fatima Jibrell is a visionary leader from Somalia whose pioneering work in environmental conservation and community development has made a profound difference in the Horn of Africa region. As founder of Adeso (African Development Solutions) and a UN Climate Hero awardee, her innovative approaches to addressing desertification, water scarcity, and gender inequality have inspired global attention.

Early Life & Career Beginnings

Born in 1966 in Mogadishu, Fatima's early exposure to Somalia's environmental challenges during the 1980s droughts shaped her life's mission. She studied environmental science at Addis Ababa University before returning to Somalia to co-found the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization (Horn Relief) in 1996. This marked the beginning of her lifelong commitment to sustainable development.

Key Innovations & Achievements

In 2021, Fatima launched the Adeso Green Corridors Project, creating tree-planting networks across 15 communities in Kenya and Somalia. This initiative has:

• Planted over 5 million drought-resistant trees
• Established 30 community nurseries
• Provided income through eco-tourism ventures

Her work was recognized when she received the UN Climate Action Award in 2022 for her role in developing Somalia's first national climate change strategy.

Gender Empowerment Initiatives

Jibrell's Women's Environmental Network (launched 2019) trains over 2000 women annually in:

• Rainwater harvesting techniques
• Solar energy installation
• Agroforestry practices

This program has empowered women to become community leaders, with 60% of participants starting their own eco-businesses by 2023.

Global Impact & Legacy

Her collaboration with the African Union in 2020 led to the creation of the Great Green Wall Initiative's Somali chapter, aiming to restore 20 million hectares of degraded land. By 2024, satellite imagery showed a 15% increase in vegetation cover in project areas.