Michael Nabieu: Empowering Sierra Leone’s next generation

Flooding across Sierra Leone devastated communities and farmlands, forcing many young people — including Michael — to pause their education. Growing up, Michael saw firsthand how climate impacts strained local farmers and damaged their crops, shaping his understanding of the challenges they faced and his dedication to finding climate-focused solutions.

“I moved into the space of climate change to see how I can advocate for climate solutions and create inclusive participation of children and youth,” he says.

The true turning point for Michael, however, occurred while implementing a community project where farmers struggled to preserve yields without proper electricity – highlighting the desperate need for modern solutions. 

“That was the defining moment for my dedication to climate-smart agriculture,” he explains. Driven by the belief that Sierra Leone’s youth hold the key to food security, Michael shifted his focus to renewable energy and evidence-based policy to build community resilience.