Experts & Staff
WRI Africa brings together more than 160 staff and experts who are leaders in their fields. Their work spans topics such as forests and landscape restoration, food and land use, energy, cities, economics, finance, governance and more. Our staff and researchers work to meet people’s essential needs, to protect and restore nature, to stabilize the climate, and build resilient communities.
Leadership
Aklilu Fikresilassie
Director, Thriving Resilient Cities, WRI Africa; Representative of WRI in Ethiopia
Rebekah Shirley
Deputy Director, WRI Africa
Program Experts & Staff
Iman Abdulwassi Abubaker
Urban Mobility Project Manager, WRI Africa
Zablon Adane
Water Program Associate, WRI Africa
Alvin Adu-Asare
GIS Research Associate, WRI Africa
Alemayehu Agizew
GIS Analyst, Energy Access Explorer
Sofia Ahmed
Research Associate, WRI Africa
Beryl Ajwang
Food Loss and Waste Associate, WRI Africa
Agraw Ali
GIS Research Analyst, WRI Africa
Ivan Amanigaruhanga
Engagement Manager, Clean Energy Transition, Africa
Bemnet Amanuale
Finance and Administration Specialist, WRI Africa
Bernadette Arakwiye
Senior Manager, Africa Land Restoration Programs
Igerha Bampa
Technical Assistant for Open Timber Portal, WRI Africa
Abiyot Dagne Belay
Lead, Climate Policy and Research, WRI Africa
Elizabeth Carabine
Regional Senior Expert, Climate Change, WRI Africa
Anderson Ngowa
Finance Associate, Energy Access
Brian Chitala
Investment Specialist
Nii Darko Darko
Senior Urban Mobility Manager, Cities Program, WRI Africa
Yared Deme
Research Analyst, International Climate Action, WRI Africa
Phanuella Djanteng
Congo Basin Engagement Associate, Global Forest Watch, WRI Africa
Achille Djeagou Tchoffo
Congo Bassin Coordinator, Open Timber Portal, Congo Basin
Assefa Edessa
Grants and Finance Specialist
Ifrah Farah
Grants & Finance Coordinator, New Climate Economy, WRI Africa
Beakal Fasil
Communications and Engagement Specialist, The New Climate Economy, WRI Africa
Samuel Gaturu
Project Specialist and Coordinator, Vital Landscapes Program, WRI Africa
Amanda Gcanga
Country Lead for Urban Water Resilience & Senior Urban Policy Analyst
Jiregna Hirpa
Transport Planner, WRI Africa
Tsion Issayas
Senior Communications Manager, WRI Africa
John Jaoko
Senior Crop Data Analyst, WRI Africa
Samuel Kabiru
Manager, The Land Accelerator, WRI Africa
Joyce Kabiru
Global Coordination Manager
Daniel Kabtimer
Grants and Contracts Manager, WRI Africa
Jean Pierre Kalimunda
Project Specialist, Restore Local
John Kalisa
Director for Climate, Economics and Finance, Africa
