What makes a champion for landscape-based storm water management in Addis Ababa?

•Among the critical issues of sustainability in urban water is the transition to more sustainable configuration.•Champions of landscape-based storm water management are needed to transition cities of the Global South.•Workshops, focal group discussion, and interviews conducted to identify challenges and opportunities of emerging champions.•Four types of emerging champions – project, local-level, executive, and intermediaries identified.•Universities can play an important role as intermediaries but need to be supported with resources and other type of champions.