2025
Akim Daouda
Founder & CEO
Mwaana, Inc.
Akim Daouda is an investment and climate finance expert specializing in sustainability, infrastructure, and economic development. As the founder and CEO of Mwaana Inc., he leads efforts to secure land for conservation and drive ecological restoration in the Congo Basin. His work bridges finance, policy, and business to create economic opportunities rooted in environmental stewardship.
Before launching Mwaana, Akim served as CEO of Gabon’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (FGIS), overseeing $1.8 billion in assets. He played a key role in integrating nature into finance, structuring Africa’s first $500 million debt-for-nature swap, and monetizing 90 million tons of carbon credits. His leadership extended across large-scale energy projects, banking, mining, and infrastructure investments, where he worked closely with governments and the private sector.The 2025 World Fellows
We are delighted to announce the 2025 Yale World Fellows. These 16 extraordinary individuals are leaders working in environment, technology, politics, media, the arts, human rights, international development, and justice sectors around the world. They include a Nigerian singer-songwriter, a Turkish politician, and a Pakistani police superintendent. “World Fellows are operating with remarkable savvy and often immense courage on the frontlines of the fight for a better world,” said Emma Sky, director of Yale’s International Leadership Center, which houses the World Fellows program. “In this era of global upheaval and uncertainty – which drives many to cynicism and apathy – the 2025 World Fellows are daring to envision and build...Read More
