Building peace in East Africa: A conversation with Wasafiri’s peace and inclusion lead
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From Northern Kenya to Ethiopia, Aisha Adan’s work reflects her belief in local leadership, collaboration, and research that drives action. Her passion for stable, peaceful communities shines through in every project she touches—and serves as a powerful reminder that the solutions to big challenges often start at the grassroots.
When it comes to peace, stability, and inclusion, Aisha believes in practical solutions that put people at the centre. With years of experience tackling governance issues, extremism and conflict in Kenya’s most vulnerable regions, Aisha has seen firsthand what works – and what doesn’t.
From engaging communities to driving research that matters, her approach is clear: meaningful change starts with those closest to the challenges.
I sat down with Aisha to learn more about her work, her reflections on the region, and what excites her about creating solutions that stick.
Can you share a moment when you saw meaningful change happen in a project you were part of? What made it work?
One moment that stands out is our Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA) experimentation initiative with a marginalised community on the Kenyan coast.
This was an intervention designed to let communities take the lead in solving their own problems. They conducted their own research, identified solutions that could work, and took action.
The impact was incredible. We saw individuals develop critical thinking, a stronger sense of belonging, and a real understanding of their own communities.
What made it work? Well the people themselves did. Their lived experiences gave the project its heart and focus, making sure that the solutions were practical and sustainable.
In your experience, what’s one small but powerful way communities can promote peace?
It starts with open and inclusive dialogue—creating spaces where everyone, no matter their background, can be heard and respected. Trust grows from these conversations, and from trust comes collective problem-solving and small steps towards changing mindsets.
What do you think is the biggest barrier stopping women and young people in East Africa from influencing decisions about their future?
Structural inequality. Socio-cultural norms hold many women and young people back. They often don’t have the resources, opportunities, or platforms to shape their futures. Without agency and economic independence, they’re stuck on the sidelines.
You’re currently working on a sustainable peace project in Ethiopia. Who will this project benefit, and what excites you most about it?
This project benefits Ethiopian communities most vulnerable to conflict by helping policymakers and local leaders become better at preventing and responding to external threats. It’s all about strengthening Ethiopia’s systems for conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
What excites me most is that Wasafiri is coming in to do the stuff we do well. In this case, our role is to produce timely, action-driven research. We’re leading efforts to create insights that inform the project’s strategy in real time, so our work can respond directly to what’s happening on the ground.
Finally, for someone who’s passionate about making a difference in this space, what advice would you give?
If you’re working on changing the system so that it works better, and for more people, I would say inviting diverse voices and perspectives as part of the decision-making process.
Conflict is inevitable, but violence isn’t. Real, transformational change happens when we work together inclusively.
Why people doing systems change work matter
People like Aisha, who are doing the slow work to shift mindsets and complex systems, amplify lesser-heard voices, and support communities to be more resilient in the face of changing socio-economic challenges, are the backbone of good, lasting change.
Their work reminds us that real transformation doesn’t happen overnight; it happens through sticking it out, building quality networks, and committing to meaningful collaborations and partnerships.
Whether you’re working on creating more inclusive spaces for marginalised youth who are vulnerable to radicalisation, or making Africa’s food systems more resilient to the effects of climate change, your contributions create ripples that lead to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable world.
