Nairobi, Kenya. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has appointed Tanzanian hip hop artist Frida Amani as its first-ever Advocate for Ecosystem Restoration, a move aimed at strengthening youth engagement in environmental protection across Africa and beyond.
The announcement was made on December 2, 2025 ahead of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), set to take place in Nairobi.
With a social media following of more than one million people, Amani is one of East Africa’s most recognised female rappers and media personalities. Her growing influence in environmental and social campaigns has seen her win several accolades, including the international Music Cities Award and Tanzania’s Orange Award.
“Growing up, we saw nature as a great protector providing water, food, shade and meaning. But we also watched it become increasingly vulnerable due to climate change and unsustainable exploitation. This has resulted in floods and droughts,” she said.
“By joining the UN Environment Programme, I want to inspire my fans to become part of a generation that is committed to restoring ecosystems. It is no longer enough to mourn nature’s loss — we must bring it back. We are Generation Restoration.”
As the first person to hold this role, Amani will work with UNEP to raise awareness and mobilise young people to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.
Her appointment comes at the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), a global initiative aimed at rehabilitating degraded environments, from oceans and forests to cities, mountains and grasslands.
Welcoming her to the organisation, UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said Amani’s work and activism made her an ideal choice for the role.
“Frida sings, speaks and acts for a healthy environment. Reflected in her work is a relentless passion for restoration, where care for people and nature go hand in hand,” said Ms Andersen. “This makes her an inspiring role model for young people across Africa and beyond.”
Environmental and social activism has long been part of Amani’s creative journey. Her songs and projects often carry strong messages on sustainability, community empowerment and nature conservation.
Among her notable works is Kisiki Hai, which promotes Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration, as well as her participation in the Performance for Nature event and the Mote Mama Gizani campaign, which supports the health of pregnant women.
She also serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Lead Foundation and recently launched the Amani Foundation to support environmental and social causes in Tanzania. Earlier this year, the foundation partnered in organising the Performance for Nature concert held in the country.
UNEP, the leading global authority on environmental matters, plays a central role in shaping the international environmental agenda and supporting countries to implement sustainable development policies.
Through the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the programme seeks to revive billions of hectares of damaged ecosystems worldwide as part of the global response to climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation.
Amani’s appointment is expected to amplify these efforts by using music, storytelling and youth-led campaigns to promote restoration initiatives at the grassroots level.