Madaka Tumbo

Madaka Tumbo is an environmental and climate resilience specialist with over 15 years of experience in climate change impacts, adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable resource management. Her expertise spans climate finance, hydrological modeling, environmental and social impact assessments, and circular economy solutions, with a focus on nature-based solutions (NbS) and urban resilience. She has successfully led high-impact funding proposals, policy development, and stakeholder engagement initiatives for global organizations, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), USAID, AfDB, EU, IDRC, and BMGF. Currently, she serves as Climate Finance Lead & Engagement Manager at Adam Smith International, spearheading efforts to enhance climate finance access for Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. She has developed GCF concept notes on GHG reduction through food waste management and the Zanzibar Resilience Programme, integrating economic, environmental, and governance assessments. Previously, she was a Senior Consultant at the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), supporting the Freetown WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project with the African Development Bank (AfDB). She led gender assessments, stakeholder engagement strategies, and safeguards compliance to strengthen the project’s alignment with global climate finance requirements. In addition, she is an active researcher and policy advisor. As a Research Fellow of the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES), she provides technical advisory support on Africa’s climate change agenda under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Her past work includes leading climate governance, Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS), and Just Transition frameworks in Africa’s agriculture and urban sectors. She holds a PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources Science from Rhodes University and a Postdoctoral Fellowship from Stockholm University. She is a Registered Environmental Specialist, ISO 14001 Auditor, and certified GHG Accounting Analyst. Her passion lies in developing climate-smart urban solutions, strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities, and advancing evidence-based policymaking to combat climate change.