2017 / 2018
The Founding
Power Shift Africa is founded in Nairobi by Mohamed Adow to champion African-led climate action, advance a just transition to renewable energy, and ensure African voices shape global climate and development agendas.
Africa faces some of the world’s most significant climate challenges despite contributing the least to the crisis, yet African perspectives and priorities remain underrepresented in the narratives, policies and solutions shaping climate action. At the same time, the continent holds immense potential to lead in renewable energy, climate resilience and economic transformation. Realising this potential requires climate and energy policies, investments and institutions shaped by African realities and driven by African priorities
When it comes to climate change, Africa is most affected and yet least responsible. Sadly, it’s also the least informed and least engaged about the crisis despite significant first-hand experience of its devastating impacts. On the other hand, Africa is blessed with abundant renewable energy making it well placed to demonstrate the potential of clean energy growth, prosperity and people centred development.
To strengthen African leadership and influence on climate and energy through thought leadership, support to institutions, strategic communications, and movement building.
A prosperous and climate-resilient Africa where people, communities, and economies thrive through inclusive, sustainable, and low-carbon development.
Honesty and Integrity
Respect and Trust
Transparency and Accountability
Teamwork and Professionalism
Our renowned coaching programs will allow you to:
Provide information and support to strengthen African calls for increasing climate ambition.
Strengthen engagement by African officials and civil society organisations on climate and sustainable energy issues in key strategic countries and institutions.
Establish a strong network of African media professionals to increase engagement and amplify climate change and energy advocacy at the national, continental and global levels.
Strengthen African voices to enable a paradigm shift where renewable energy is viewed as a systemic source of poverty alleviation across Africa, and the necessary step towards sustainable development.
Develop and communicate climate change and energy policy and advocacy ideas suitable for an African audience.
Provide content for advocacy and campaigning, share news, and promote events amplifying the work of African groups to enhance climate ambition to shift investments away from fossil fuels and increase support for the implementation of national plans to set out in the Paris Agreement.
From a Nairobi-based think tank in 2018 to a continent-wide policy and media voice by 2026, Power Shift Africa has steadily moved from commentary to capacity-building, publication, and high-level climate advocacy.
Power Shift Africa is founded in Nairobi by Mohamed Adow to champion African-led climate action, advance a just transition to renewable energy, and ensure African voices shape global climate and development agendas.
Mohamed Adow receives the Climate Breakthrough Award in recognition of his transformative climate leadership through Power Shift Africa. The award celebrates his vision and ability to drive large-scale climate action across Africa.
Power Shift Africa broadens its advocacy by launching the inaugural Pan-African Climate Journalists Training in Kigali, Rwanda and convening the Africa Movement of Movements (MoM) at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh to unite African civil society organisations behind the common agenda of strengthening solidarity, amplifying African voices, and advancing shared positions on climate justice, economic transformation, and sustainable development. It also launches the African Climate Energy and Development (AFCED) expert group that produces a flagship report on just transitions for Africa.
Power Shift Africa establishes the Pan African Coalition for Adaptation and Resilience (PACAR), a multi-stakeholder network bringing together civil society, technical experts, policymakers, and community leaders to champion Africa's adaptation priorities and strengthen the continent's voice in global climate negotiations. The African Energy Renaissance Caucus is born on the sidelines of the First Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.
Power Shift Africa is nominated in the Best in Environment Category at the 2024 NGOs Awards in Kenya, and is cited for the "transformative work" in advancing development and improving lives. It also launches the first batch of three 100 per cent renewable scenario reports for Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda, giving birth to the development of three others on Senegal, Tunisia and Malawi.
Mohamed Adow is the Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, which he formed in 2018 to mobilize climate action in Africa and shift climate and energy policies to zero carbon.
He is an international climate policy expert and ardent advocate for the people of developing nations – who are disproportionately affected by climate change but play almost no role in causing it.
Prior to launching Power Shift Africa, Mohamed led Christian Aid’s global climate policy and advocacy work for over a decade, specializing in developing countries’ issues, and supporting the organization’s climate policy and advocacy work in Africa, Europe and at the UN climate negotiations.
While with Christian Aid, he led the creation of Pan-Africa Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), which is made up of over 1,000 organizations across 48 countries. He is also an advisor to the Climate Vulnerable Forum and a former Board Chair of Climate Action Network International.
