James Irungu Mwangi is the founder and CEO of Africa Climate Ventures, where he is working to build and accelerate a new generation of transformative climate-smart and carbon-negative businesses across the continent. James is also the founder of the Climate Action Platform for Africa, which was launched in 2021, to help unlock Africa’s potential to transform its economies while playing a leading role in effective climate action.

Prior to that, James helped found the Dalberg Group, and in a 20-year career, led the firm’s expansion into Africa in 2007, served as Global Managing Partner of Dalberg Advisors, and finally as Executive Director of the Dalberg Group. During his tenure, James led the growth, incubation or acquisition of many of the entities that today constitute Dalberg’s operational footprint in over 25 countries on 6 continents.

James also serves as an independent director on several boards including the Skoll Foundation, the Global Centre for Pluralism, One Acre Fund, Old Mutual Limited and Koko Networks.
He is a 2009 Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow of the African Leadership Institute, a 2013 Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a 2021 Yale World Fellow. In 2022, James received the Climate Breakthrough Award in recognition of his efforts to shift Africa’s role in responding to the Climate Crisis.

James holds an honors degree in economics from Harvard University.