The UN Environment Programme has appointed Tanzanian hip hop artist Frida Amani as its first Advocate for Ecosystem Restoration, marking a landmark moment for both the organisation and one of East Africa’s most influential cultural voices. The announcement comes ahead of the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, where global leaders will gather to discuss urgent environmental priorities.
Amani, who has built a following of more than one million across her digital platforms, is recognised as one of the region’s most prominent female rappers and media personalities. Her career has been defined by artistic excellence and a growing reputation for purposeful advocacy. She has won several major honours, including the Music Cities Award, which recognises the use of music as a catalyst for economic and social development, and the Orange Award in her home country.
Speaking on her new role, Amani reflected on the connection between her upbringing and the growing threat facing natural ecosystems. She described nature as a source of protection and identity for her generation, while also acknowledging the visible impact of climate change and harmful land use. She said she hoped to inspire young people to take responsibility for restoring places that have been damaged or depleted. In her words, it is no longer enough to mourn ecological loss, and the next generation must lead a movement that brings degraded ecosystems back to life.
Her appointment comes at the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, an ambitious global call to prevent, halt and reverse environmental degradation across landscapes and seascapes. UNEP believes her influence and ability to communicate across age groups will strengthen ongoing work to rehabilitate oceans, mountains, grasslands, forests, cities and rural communities that have suffered from years of pressure.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen welcomed Amani by highlighting her record of using public platforms to champion environmental and social causes. Andersen said the artist has consistently spoken and acted in support of a healthier planet, and described her as an inspiring model for young people across Africa and beyond. Amani’s personal commitment to restoration aligns closely with UNEP’s mission, which focuses on empowering societies to improve quality of life while safeguarding the future.
Amani has long woven social and ecological messages into her music and broader public work. Her involvement in campaigns such as Kisiki Hai, which promotes farmer managed natural regeneration, and her participation in the Performance for Nature event demonstrate a continued commitment to environmental activism. She has also supported maternal health advocacy through the Mote Mama Gizani campaign and serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Lead Foundation. Through the Amani Foundation, she continues to champion social and environmental initiatives, including hosting the Performance for Nature concert in Tanzania earlier this year.
The UN General Assembly declared 2021 to 2030 as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, placing renewed emphasis on repairing degraded environments as climate pressures intensify. By appointing Amani, UNEP signals a strategic push to bring young voices into the centre of this work. Her influence within East Africa’s creative community is expected to play a key role in mobilising audiences that traditional policy messaging often struggles to reach.
Amani’s new role extends her impact beyond the stage and into a global movement aimed at restoring the natural world. For UNEP, she represents the power of cultural leadership in addressing environmental decline. For her fans across the continent, she continues to embody a generation using art, advocacy and community to shape a more sustainable future.
