Scaling nature-based solutions for climate resilient infrastructure

Project:   Socioeconomic pathways to plant and conserve trees on farms: Evidence from the South Ethiopian Rift Valley Region
Role: PhD Student
Affiliation: Department of Economics, Arba Minch University
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9721-8991 
Email: Sileshi.abebe@amu.edu.et / sileshiab36@gmail.com / s.jemaneh24@imperial.ac.uk

Sileshi Abebe Jemaneh is an aspiring environmental economist with extensive experience in teaching, research, and consultancy. He is currently pursuing a PhD in economics, focusing on the socioeconomic perspectives of agroforestry adoption as a nature-based solution to ensure the sustainability of agricultural livelihoods in Ethiopia. His research employs econometric methods, including discrete choice experiments, to analyze farmers’ preferences for on-farm tree planting and conservation.

Since 2015, Sileshi has been a Lecturer in Economics at Arba Minch University, where he teaches undergraduate courses, advises student research, and conducts policy-relevant studies. He has also served as the Head of the Research Coordination Office and the Community Service Coordination Office at the university, where he played a crucial role in facilitating research, community service activities, and stakeholder engagement. He has led various community development initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of marginalized rural groups and youth.

Outside of academia, Sileshi manages SAM Business and Investment Consultancy, providing expertise in statistical data analysis, impact assessments, and feasibility studies for businesses and government agencies. He has contributed to irrigation development projects by developing socioeconomic and financial feasibility studies for the South Ethiopia Regional State.

Sileshi holds an MSc in Economics Policy Analysis from Addis Ababa University and a BA in Economics from Wollo University, both of which he earned with great distinction. His research interests include rural development, sustainable agriculture, environmental and resource economics, migration, intra-household resource allocation, women’s empowerment, poverty, food security, and the evaluation of policies and interventions. Through his work, he aims to contribute to evidence-based policymaking that enhances resource allocation and reconciles livelihoods with environmental sustainability.