LONDON — Liberian-born British politician Miatta Fahnbulleh has been appointed the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero by newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham, placing her in charge of one of Britain’s most important policy areas.
Fahnbulleh’s appointment marks a remarkable journey from a childhood shaped by Liberia’s civil conflict to becoming one of the Labour Party’s rising political figures. As Energy Secretary, she will lead efforts to strengthen Britain’s energy security, advance the country’s net zero ambitions, and address concerns over household energy costs.
She replaces Ed Miliband, who has been moved to serve as the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary as part of Prime Minister Burnham’s new Cabinet.
From Monrovia to Britain
Born in Monrovia in 1979, Fahnbulleh was forced to leave Liberia as a child after political instability and violence escalated during the regime of former President Samuel Doe.
Her father, Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh Jr., a former Liberian Foreign Minister who later served as National Security Adviser under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, became a target of the military government after disagreements with the regime.
The family first fled to Sierra Leone, her mother’s country of origin, before eventually relocating to the United Kingdom. Fahnbulleh arrived in Britain at the age of seven, where her family was granted asylum.
That experience as a refugee later shaped her views on migration and social inclusion. She has spoken about how families who flee difficult circumstances can go on to contribute positively to the societies where they rebuild their lives.
“My family left Liberia during a time of deep political unrest,” she said in a 2025 newspaper column, explaining that her family fled after her father spoke out against a military regime that would later lead the country into a brutal civil war.
Her younger brother, Gamal Fahnbulleh, would later build a career in journalism and become a presenter with ITV Granada, while Miatta pursued economics, public policy, and politics.
A Liberian Connection Through Peckham
Although Britain became her home, Fahnbulleh maintained a strong connection to her West African heritage, particularly through Peckham, the south-east London constituency she now represents in Parliament.
She has described Peckham’s vibrant African and Caribbean community as a place where her family found belonging after arriving in the UK.
“Peckham, with its vibrant West African community, was our home from home,” she said, recalling the area where her family connected with culture, food, friends, and community.
Her personal experience has influenced her belief that migration should be viewed through the contributions people make to their communities.
“For me, immigration is a success story of every country,” she said in a 2022 interview with IMIX, an organization that works on migration narratives in the UK. “It is sad we have got to a point where immigration has been made toxic but if you look at the facts, the benefits of immigration to any country, any society always outweigh the losses.”
Economist and Policy Expert
Before entering Parliament, Fahnbulleh had already built a strong reputation in economics and public policy.
She studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford and later earned a PhD in Economic Development from the London School of Economics. Her academic work focused on industrial policy in Ghana and Kenya, examining how governments can support economic growth and create opportunities.
Her professional career included serving as Head of Cities at the Cabinet Office Policy Unit, Director of Policy and Research at the Institute for Public Policy Research, and Chief Executive Officer of the New Economics Foundation from 2017 to 2023.
At the New Economics Foundation, she became known for supporting stronger government involvement in tackling inequality, supporting communities, and advancing the transition toward a greener economy.
Her policy influence grew before she entered elected politics, with the New Statesman naming her among influential figures in progressive British politics.
Fast Rise in British Politics
Fahnbulleh won the Peckham parliamentary seat during Labour’s 2024 landslide election victory.
Shortly after entering Parliament, she was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, giving her early experience in the same department she now leads.
She later served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government before her appointment as Energy Secretary.
Her close working relationship with Andy Burnham, a former Labour leadership contender, helped strengthen her influence within the party. She became known as one of Burnham’s trusted policy voices on issues including economic development, energy, devolution, and the cost-of-living crisis.
Supporters have praised her combination of academic expertise and personal experience, while critics have debated her political views and policy positions.
British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan defended her appointment, writing on X that criticism of her selection showed she was the right person for the role.
A Family Legacy of Public Service
Fahnbulleh comes from a Liberian family with a long history of politics, diplomacy, activism, and cultural influence.
Her father, Dr. H. Boima Fahnbulleh Jr., served as Liberia’s Foreign Minister and later National Security Adviser.
Her grandfather, Henry Boimah Fahnbulleh Sr., was a prominent Liberian diplomat and intellectual who served as ambassador and senior government official. In 1968, he was convicted of treason after being accused of plotting against the government, charges he denied and described as politically motivated. He was later pardoned by President William R. Tolbert Jr.
Her grandmother, Mary Nema Brownell, was a respected educator and peace activist who founded the Liberia Women Initiative and contributed to women’s participation in Liberia’s peacebuilding efforts after the civil wars.
Fahnbulleh was also named after her aunt, Miattah Fahnbulleh, one of Liberia’s most celebrated performers. Known as the “doyenne diva” of Liberian music, her aunt performed internationally, including at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, and collaborated with South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela. She also represented Liberia at FESTAC ’77 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Later in life, Miattah Fahnbulleh became an advocate for women and children, founding Obaa’s Girls Educational Outreach to support girls’ education.
Leading Britain’s Energy Future
With her appointment as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh now takes responsibility for shaping Britain’s energy policies at a time when governments worldwide are balancing energy independence, climate commitments, and rising living costs.
Her rise from a young refugee fleeing Liberia’s conflict to a senior member of the British government represents one of the most notable stories of Liberian heritage reaching global political leadership.
