From the forests of the Congo Basin to Congress in Washington D.C., Kidan Araya has spent more than 15 years working at the collision points of climate, energy, nature, and emerging tech in Africa, the U.S. and Europe.

Throughout her work collaborating with communities, civil society, and governments, she noticed time and time again that promising policy solutions and funded projects stall when institutions can’t see what’s emerging because they are unable to engage the right people holding the answers. That’s the problem we solve.

As the Founder of Africa Climate x Nature Salon, Kidan directs our strategy salons by convening conversations that surface hidden solutions, realign decision-makers with frontline realities, and guide resources and strategies towards what will actually make a breakthrough in Africa’s planetary challenges. She brings her connections from her advocacy work across Ghana, The Gambia, Cameroon, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania to center true African leadership and innovation in our vision.

She’s advised the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Energy, and many more organizations around the world, briefing leaders on issues ranging from natural resource governance to the global energy transition, reporting on what’s happening in the frontlines, how unresolved climate and nature challenges impacts Africa and global systems, and how organizations can collaborate with leadership to elevate the right solutions before it’s too late.

If you are shaping, funding, or influencing climate and nature decisions in Africa, this work is designed for you.