When United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced his new Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, he emphasised that “young people’s fearless advocacy has been pivotal in the fight against the climate crisis.”
Among the 14 voices selected from across the globe are two African changemakers whose work has already begun reshaping climate action on the continent: Jabri Ibrahim from Kenya and Sibusiso Mazomba from South Africa.
Jabri Ibrahim: A Voice for Energy and Equity
A Chevening Scholar and Associate at the Africa Climate Energy Nexus (AfCEN), Jabri Ibrahim represents a generation of African leaders bridging policy, energy, and grassroots action. Reflecting on his appointment, he acknowledged the weight of the moment:
“Huge responsibility imparted to me by my peers in Africa that I take seriously, and I hope to continue supporting my peers and friends in Africa who do the actual work on the ground.”
For Ibrahim, this appointment is not only personal but historic.
“I fully recognise that this role will very likely be my last role that I will be categorised as ‘youth’ so I hope to leave the biggest impact to date!”
His commitment, he says, is to amplify the work of young Africans through AfCEN and other platforms.
By linking African energy transitions to global policy conversations, Ibrahim embodies the urgency of positioning Africa not as a passive recipient of climate solutions but as an active innovator in charting pathways for sustainable growth.
Sibusiso Mazomba: Mobilising Youth for Climate Justice
Alongside Ibrahim stands Sibusiso Mazomba, an undergraduate in Oceanography, Environmental and Geographical Science at the University of Cape Town, whose activism is deeply rooted in intersectionality and youth-led advocacy.
Mazomba is already known for his leadership within the African Climate Alliance, where he serves as Junior Cancel Coal Campaigner, mobilising young people to call for an end to new fossil fuel investments in South Africa.
As the Implementation Lead of the South African Youth Climate Action Plan, he collaborates with the City of Johannesburg and the Global Change Institute to ensure local climate ambitions translate into concrete action.
His approach is unapologetically people-centred. By working through the Youth@SAIIA Climate Change Working Group, Mazomba pushes for climate policies that recognise “the non-neutrality of climate impacts and their relation to gender, youth and socio-economic issues in South Africa.”
For him, being selected by the UN Secretary-General is not just an accolade but a platform.
“Thrilled to join the UN sec gen’s 3rd Climate Advisory Group, nominated by my peers in Africa’s climate movement. Honoured to represent Africa with Jabri Ibrahim for the next 2 years as microphones for the work happening on the ground across our continent!!”
Africa’s Climate Generation Steps Forward
In a world where Africa contributes the least to global emissions yet faces some of the harshest climate impacts, the selection of Ibrahim and Sibusiso underscores the importance of African youth voices in shaping international policy.
Both young men bring a rare combination of technical expertise, activist energy and policy engagement that is urgently needed. Their appointment signals recognition from the UN that climate solutions cannot be designed in New York or Geneva alone they must be forged in Nairobi, Cape Town, Lagos and countless communities across the Global South.
As António Guterres put it, “The world needs more young voices to shape climate action.”
With leaders like Ibrahim and Mazomba at the table, those voices are not just being heard, they are shaping the future of climate justice.
