A team of three young African environmental activists has arrived in Namibia advocating for African voices in the fight against climate change as part of the Light COP30 initiative.

The youth-led initiative, which began in September in Kenya, aims to collect perspectives from communities across the continent on environmental protection and climate resilience. 

The team that has already covered Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is cycling under the banner "Riding for COP30" ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Zambian environmental activist Dean Meekson said, "For us cycling is a hope that Africa must also be embraced on the world table, not only as a guest but as a mode that can be able to transform and be able to mitigate some of the measures. So we have been using electric bikes as an example to say that green transportation is also possible in Africa."

So far the team has experienced challenges related to road infrastructures that are not suitable for cyclists, limited data collection from communities, and communication barriers.

Hashu Kidavasi, a Kenyan environmental activist, added that, "We have never travelled with the bicycles like this; we saw the significance that we must represent African voices, because most of the times the voices of Africans, especially from the ground, from the villages, are not heard."

They have so far covered 3,000 kilometres and hope to reach the capital by the 25th next week. 

They will then fly to Brazil for the conference and will no longer travel to Walvis Bay as initially planned.

"So every day we are doing around a hundred kilometres plus based on the guidance of the community because some areas we have been notified are good for cycling, others are not safe because they have wild animals," said Kenyan environmental activist, Enock Kitheka.

Zambezi Police Commander Andreas Shilelo commended the team for its bravery.

"You are really going to make the whole of Africa proud of what you are doing. Taking care of the environment or preparing us to take care of the environment is very important, so we are recommending your action."

An arrangement was made for the team to safely navigate the park with roaming wildlife between Zambezi and Kavango East regions.