James Irungu Mwangi, founder of the Climate Action Platform for Africa (CAP-A), is pioneering transformative climate efforts across the continent. With a clear vision for Africa’s potential as a global climate leader, Mwangi has mobilized his deep expertise in economics, sustainable development, and climate finance to shape strategies that unlock Africa’s green economy, drive investment in climate-smart industries, and promote low-carbon growth.
A seasoned leader with over two decades of experience, Mwangi initially established himself at the Dalberg Group, where he spent years guiding initiatives focused on inclusive and sustainable growth. As a founding member and later Executive Director, he led Dalberg’s expansion across the African continent and globally, shaping the organization into a multi-faceted advisory network with a mission to support social impact and development. Through Dalberg, Mwangi collaborated with governments, private corporations, and multilateral institutions across Africa, advising on strategies that blend economic development with environmental stewardship.
With CAP-A, Mwangi brings a fresh perspective to Africa’s role in the global climate conversation. Founded in 2021, CAP-A is a platform designed to help African nations capitalize on their natural assets for economic transformation while embracing climate-positive growth. Recognizing Africa’s vast solar potential—representing nearly 40% of the global share—as well as its large, young population and rich land resources, Mwangi aims to position the continent as a leader in sustainable industries, clean energy, and carbon removal.
The unique opportunities Africa holds, Mwangi believes, can attract substantial investment in clean energy infrastructure and carbon offset projects. Despite these opportunities, Africa receives only a fraction of the world’s clean energy investments. Mwangi’s CAP-A seeks to bridge this gap by advocating for policy reforms, incentivizing private investment, and nurturing climate ventures across the continent. His approach emphasizes Africa’s potential to “leapfrog” to green prosperity, avoiding the carbon-intensive industrialization paths of the past and positioning African countries to lead in emerging green industries.
To drive this vision further, Mwangi has launched Africa Climate Ventures, a platform designed to identify and accelerate private investment in climate-oriented businesses across Africa. Through this initiative, he aims to empower businesses that align with the goals of CAP-A, particularly those focused on carbon capture, renewable energy, and eco-friendly industries that strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate challenges.
Africa Climate Ventures focuses on creating a conducive environment for green entrepreneurs, addressing critical gaps in finance, and fostering partnerships that can scale climate solutions quickly. By positioning Africa as a key player in the global green economy, Mwangi is also working to ensure that African climate action initiatives translate into job creation and sustainable economic growth, enabling communities to thrive while preserving ecosystems.
Mwangi’s background in economics and experience across consulting, investment banking, and international development have equipped him with the strategic vision to shape Africa’s role in the climate agenda. He is a recognized leader on the global stage, with distinctions such as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship and being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
His work with CAP-A and Africa Climate Ventures reflects a new model of climate leadership rooted in opportunity, sustainability, and resilience. As climate issues intensify worldwide, James Irungu Mwangi’s initiatives exemplify how Africa can drive climate action while fostering economic growth, serving as a blueprint for sustainable development on a global scale.
