Adesola (Ola) Olaleye

    First name
    Adesola
    Last name
    Olaleye
    Phone number
    +1 647-458-3111
    How do you self-identify or would like to be identified?
    Man
    Do you belong to any ethnic minority group of self-identify as an indigenous person?
    No
    Affiliation, organization, or community
    AgFood&Health Solutions Inc. 59 Cranberry Green SE ETOBICOKE ETOBICOKE
    Years of professional or activism experience or of knowledge built on specific indigenous expertise
    15+ years
    Country of residence
    Languages
    English
    In which geographic region (and sub-region) does your work mostly focus?
    Do you have proven experience in gender and climate change issues?
    Yes, my work/ area of expertise mainly focuses on gender and climate change
    Mitigation
    Energy Efficiency
    Renewable energy
    Adaptation
    Agriculture and forestry
    Water
    Climate Technologies
    Agriculture, forestry, land-use, fisheries
    Cross-sectoral enablers
    Governance and planning (policy, regulatory systems)
    Please provide your short bio reflecting on your academic, professional and practical background

    Agricultural and Environmental Consultant with over 30 years of global experience in sustainable agriculture, farm management, and environmental consultancy. Holds a Ph.D. in Agriculture and has a proven track record of delivering technical and business-focused solutions for farmers, corporate clients, and public sector initiatives. Demonstrated expertise in farm business management, resource protection (nutrient, air, soil, and water management), biodiversity net gain, and agri-environment schemes. Skilled in reducing diffuse pollution, providing cost-effective and legally compliant advice, and contributing to business development through networking and proposal development. Adept at preparing winning tenders and client proposals, leading capacity-building initiatives, and implementing sustainable agricultural practices across Africa, Asia, and Canada.

    Skills and Experience in Gender and Climate Technology

    With over 25 years of experience in climate change adaptation, sustainable agriculture, environmental management, and natural resources governance, I have successfully integrated gender-responsive approaches into climate resilience and technology-driven solutions across multiple regions, including Africa, Asia, and North America. My expertise spans policy formulation, research, and program implementation, with a strong emphasis on gender equity in climate adaptation and sustainable development.

    Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation and Resilience

    Throughout my career, I have led initiatives that address the intersection of gender and climate resilience. As a consultant with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), I contributed to developing and testing biodiversity indicators for agricultural landscapes in Africa and Asia. This project incorporated gender-sensitive methodologies to ensure that women’s contributions to biodiversity conservation were adequately recognized and integrated into policy frameworks.

    Additionally, while working on the Evaluation of Adaptation Funds in Fragile Countries (Adaptation Funds, Washington, DC), I led the assessment of climate adaptation programs in Syria, Iraq, Somalia, and the Volta Basin, evaluating how gender-inclusive policies and funding mechanisms supported women-led climate initiatives. This project, valued at over $5 million, provided critical insights into how climate financing can be leveraged to enhance women’s roles in food security and environmental stewardship.

    Climate Technology, Innovation, and Gender Inclusion

    My expertise extends to promoting climate-smart agricultural technologies and sustainable water management practices that prioritize gender inclusivity. While leading the Efficiency of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies for Enhancing Water Use Efficiency (FARA-Africa & African Union), I evaluated two innovative technologies across Eastern and Southern Africa, applying data-driven methods such as data envelopment analysis and stochastic frontier analysis to measure their effectiveness. This study underscored how gender-specific barriers—such as access to financing and technology—hindered women farmers from fully utilizing climate-smart innovations.

    Similarly, my work on Rainwater Harvesting Technologies in the Sahelian Zone (IWMI, Ghana) focused on scaling up water conservation technologies in Niger and Burkina Faso. Recognizing that women in these arid regions bear a disproportionate burden of water scarcity, I championed the adoption of low-cost, women-friendly irrigation and rainwater harvesting techniques to improve agricultural productivity and household food security.

    Gender and Sustainable Energy Solutions

    Incorporating gender equity into clean energy solutions has been a core aspect of my work. While collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Assessment of Wetland Health in Lesotho, I integrated gender-responsive methodologies in evaluating the role of women in sustainable wetland management. The findings informed the implementation of community-based renewable energy solutions, such as solar-powered irrigation systems, ensuring that women had equitable access to clean and affordable energy for agricultural production.

    In addition, I played a key role in advancing gender-sensitive research on the Adaptive Capacity of the Machobane Farming System in Lesotho, where I assessed how traditional farming practices could be modernized with climate-smart technologies while maintaining women’s leadership in agricultural decision-making.

    Gender-Responsive Policy and Capacity Building

    Beyond research and program implementation, I have contributed to gender mainstreaming in policy development. As a consultant for WE Effect, I provided expertise in integrating gender considerations into climate adaptation strategies across multiple African countries. I also played a pivotal role in training policymakers on how to embed gender equity principles in agricultural and environmental governance structures.

    Moreover, my work with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) in Canada has focused on building the capacity of women farmers and agripreneurs through digital learning platforms that enhance their knowledge of climate technologies and business development.

    Are you interested in being contacted for any of the following
    Advisory in technical assistance project
    Contributor to research/publication