Theme: Sustainability and Climate Action

Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity. With rising global
temperatures, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and the impact on vulnerable
communities, the time to act is now. TEDx Kigali: Climate Countdown is a
platform designed to inspire, educate, and mobilize individuals, organizations, and
Communities to take meaningful action in the fight against climate change. The event will focus on
solutions, innovation, and activism, amplifying voices from different sectors to spark
collective action.

Kigali Marriott Hotel
Kigali Marriot Hotel
Kigali, Ville de Kigali, 250
Rwanda

Alex Ssebaggala

Performing Artist | Choreographer & Co-founder of Kigali Breaking Cypher

Alex Ssebaggala is a distinguished urban/contemporary performing artist, dance researcher, and climate change advocate based in Kigali, Rwanda. Renowned for his fusion of breakdance, African traditional, contemporary, and urban dance styles, he creates boundary-pushing choreography that captivates audiences. Beyond performance, he integrates dance into climate change advocacy and promotes health within the disability community, using movement as a tool for awareness and empowerment. Committed to knowledge-sharing, he mentors aspiring dancers and fosters artistic growth in Rwanda’s dance scene.

Dr. GLADYS KALEMA-ZIKUSOKA

Veterinary Doctor and Founder and CEO Conservation Through Public Healt

Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is Founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), an award-winning NGO and non-profit that protects endangered gorillas and other wildlife through One Health approaches. After graduating with a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1995, she established Uganda Wildlife Authority’s first veterinary department in 1996. In 2000, she enrolled in a Zoological Medicine Residency and Master in Specialized Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina Zoological Park and North Carolina State University, where masters research on disease at the human/wildlife/livestock interface led her to found CTPH in 2003. In 2003, she also completed a certificate in non-profit management at Duke University. In 2015, she founded Gorilla Conservation Coffee to support farmers living around habitats where gorillas are found. CTPH’s most recent award is the 2020 Saint Andrews Prize for the Environment.

Dr. Katie P. Bernhard

Environment and Development Economist

Katie is an environment and development economist with ten years of research, policy advisory, and programmatic experience primarily in Rwanda and Uganda. She has held research affiliations with University of Rwanda Centre for GIS, International Gorilla Conservation Programme, and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and has worked for UNDP Uganda, UNDP Yemen, and FAO Forestry Division for Central Africa. Katie has led or contributed to over 25 peer-reviewed articles and reports on the intersection of community well-being, multidimensional poverty, and environmental issues like climate change and tropical forest conservation, particularly near protected areas such as Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. Katie holds a PhD in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment from Penn State University, an MSc in Environment and Development Economics from the London School of Economics, and a BA in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College.

Jean Claude Niyomugabo

Sustainable Agriculture & Climate Action Advocate |CEO, Agirite

Jean Claude Niyomugabo is a leading advocate for sustainable agriculture and climate action, leveraging digital technology and innovative farming practices to enhance resilience and productivity for African farmers. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Agirite, he connects smallholder farmers with market opportunities, financial services, and climate-smart solutions to strengthen food security across the continent. With a strong presence on social media, engaging over 180,000 followers, Jean Claude uses his platform to promote climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming, and sustainable food systems. His work focuses on addressing the intersection of climate change and agriculture by championing hydroponics, soil regeneration, and water-efficient farming techniques to combat environmental challenges. A recipient of prestigious awards, including the Ban Ki-Moon Youth Agri-Champion Award and the Most Influential Food Hero in Africa, He is also a Youth Board Member with Generation Unlimited

Justice Oyakhilome Anthony

Engineer, Community Growth and Data Lead at Young Collective and Country Director of AIESEC in Rwanda,

Justice Oyakhilome Anthony is a Nigerian engineer. Justice is a Community Growth and Data Lead at Young Collective. He currently serves as the Country Director of AIESEC in Rwanda, spearheading the organization's exchange and leadership development programs. His community-driven strategic approach makes him passionate about sustainability, youth empowerment, and circular economy solutions. He has worked with organizations like AIESEC, Generation Climate Europe (GCE), UNLEASH, HultPrize, YALI, and Race for Oceans to drive impact through climate action and community engagement projects. Justice is a trained Climate Reality Leader by The Climate Reality Project and is currently a global Ambassador at UNLEASH and a Social Media Ambassador for the Global Landscape Forum (GLF).

Ms. Isabelle Masozera

Journalist and Founder: Masozera Africa

A resilient transformer who turned personal pain into a powerful movement, Isabelle Masozera emerged from the shadows of divorce and mental health challenges to create Masozera Africa, a groundbreaking platform redefining wellness for African women. Through her raw vulnerability and unwavering courage, she transforms individual stories of struggle into collective narratives of empowerment. Her journey proves that our deepest wounds can become our most profound sources of strength and social change.