Fekadu Sileshi

Ethiopian climate activist leading community-based reforestation efforts to combat desertification

Fekadu Sileshi is a visionary environmental leader from Ethiopia whose work in combating desertification through community-driven reforestation has made a profound impact across the Horn of Africa region. As founder of the Green Legacy Initiative, Sileshi mobilized over 23 million Ethiopians in a single day tree-planting campaign in 2022, creating a Guinness World Record. This effort helped Ethiopia achieve its 2025 goal of planting 20 billion trees four years ahead of schedule.

His innovative approach combines traditional knowledge with modern agroforestry techniques, focusing on native species like the Boswellia tree used for frankincense production. By involving local communities in every stage of the process, Silehi's initiatives have improved food security, created sustainable livelihoods, and sequestered massive amounts of carbon dioxide. His work was featured in the National Geographic documentary series 'Earthrise.'

In 2023, Sileshi established the African Reforestation Network connecting 15 countries across the continent. His TED Talk 'How Ethiopia Planted 350 Million Trees in a Day' has over 2.1 million views. The UN Environment Programme highlighted his model as a blueprint for climate action in arid regions.

Key partnerships include collaborations with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority and the World Agroforestry Centre. Sileshi's advocacy extends to policy work, influencing Ethiopia's Climate-Resilient Green Economy strategy. His grassroots methodology has been adopted by governments in Kenya and Somalia to address desert encroachment threatening 60% of the continent's land.