Jamila Ahmed

Jamila Ahmed is a research fellow at SEI Africa.

She has extensive experience in advancing biodiversity protection, community-based conservation and regional ecosystem governance across East and West Africa. She brings a unique interdisciplinary foundation in environmental governance and organizational development.

Her doctoral research at the University of Nairobi’s Department of Earth and Climate Sciences focused on governance standards-setting for sustainable mangrove management through community participation. Jamila is passionate about inclusive decision-making and gender-responsive approaches that empower women and marginalized groups in restoration activities and policy processes.

Jamila has led and contributed to conservation initiatives across Kenya, Liberia and other African coastal regions. Her expertise in the Mikoko Project supported strategic mangrove ecosystem management for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and coastal economic development. She has designed and facilitated capacity-building programs that engage youth and women, ensuring equitable access to restoration benefits.

She works closely with a wide network of regional and international partners, including national government agencies, research institutions, conservation organizations, and local communities. Her collaborators include IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), CIRAD (Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement), The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, KEMRI (Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute), KEFRI (Kenya Forestry Research Institute), and multiple coastal county governments. She holds a PhD in Environmental Governance from the University of Nairobi.