Register for the Included VC Africa Reimagined: VC & Beyond Summit Join Diana Maranga, Head of Commercialization at Octavia Carbon, as she shares her unique journey from growing up inspired by environmental hero Professor Wangari Mathai to leading a pioneering direct air capture and storage company in Kenya. In this episode, Diana discusses Octavia…

In this episode, Ifechukwude 'Chude' Uwajeh, Managing Director of Blended Finance at GreenMax Capital Group, shares his professional journey from large-scale thermal power projects to clean energy advisory and fund management. He discusses the challenges of electrification in Africa, the importance of creative financing models, and the implementati…

Quick and casual check with the team behind the podcast on our plans for the year. Sign up for our newsletter (we have not yet changed the name): https://mailchi.mp/dc168bd41a97/sign-up-here

In this episode of The Energy Talk, we sit down with the CEO of Earthbond, Chidalu Onyenso, to explore the company’s innovative approach to solving Nigeria’s energy crisis through solar energy solutions tailored for SMEs. We explore Earthbond's mission, financing models, and the challenges of scaling renewable energy solutions in underserved region…

Dami Olawoye joins us as we explore his remarkable career as a finance veteran turned clean energy champion and his role in revolutionizing solar energy financing in Nigeria as the CEO of Payhippo. From a big four-chartered accountant to leading a startup, our guest shares how his organization has raised $5 million to tackle Nigeria's electricity c…

Subscribe to our Clean Energy Africa newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/dc168bd41a97/sign-up-hereRecorded live during the Energy Access Investment Forum in May, this 2 part mini-series covers the African Mini-Grid Program (AMP). The AMP is a USD 50 million country-led technical assistance program designed to stimulate the solar-battery mini-grids marke…

Subscribe to our Clean Energy Africa newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/dc168bd41a97/sign-up-here InfraCo Africa is one of the few financiers that provides equity investments in large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa. Typically investing in projects in the early stages of their development, all the way through construction and operational stages…

Subscribe to our Clean Energy Africa newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/dc168bd41a97/sign-up-hereRecorded live during the Energy Access Investment Forum in May, this 2 part mini-series covers the African Mini-Grid Program (AMP). The AMP is a USD 50 million country-led technical assistance program designed to stimulate the solar-battery mini-grids marke…

Nico joins us this week to share from his two decades of experience deploying Decentralized Renewable Energy projects, consulting governments on off-grid electrification policy, and what the emerging trends mean for financiers looking into Sub-Saharan Africa.This episode has already been published on "The Mini-Grid Business" podcast hosted by Nico.…

Arnergy is a renewable energy company providing solar solutions to residential and commercial customers. Combined, Arnergy has raised $12M in a Series A and bridge round and is now gearing up for a big Series B fundraiser. In this episode, we speak with the company's CFO, James Fabola Jr., about operating in a difficult market and exciting growth o…

In this episode, we explore SolarAid's visionary work under CEO John Keane, aiming to deliver sustainable energy solutions to remote African communities. Focused on last mile areas, SolarAid's unique model tackles energy poverty while empowering communities with clean, affordable energy access. Through innovation and strategic partnerships, SolarAi…

In this episode, we speak to Mojola Ola, a Nigerian-based energy entrepreneur about how his company, GridCrux, is channeling its core ethos of value-add to democratize energy access for thousands of Nigerians. We delve into his roots, entrepreneurial journey, innovations, and failures in a bid to uncover what it takes to thrive as an energy entrepr…

Doing business in Nigeria is often fraught with challenges, especially on an operational scale amidst business models that involve cross-border transactions. In this episode, we speak to Justin Tinsey, the Vice President of Procurement, about Odyssey Energy Solution's innovative framework to de-risking procurement through its partnerships and syste…

Climate venture building is a concept that is not very common within sub-Saharan Africa. In this episode, we interview Tobias and Wairimu from Persistent Energy, a company deploying "persistent" financial and human resource capital to result in climate impact along energy, agriculture, mobility, and the circular economy. We talk about Persistent's …

In the eighth and final episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Henok Assefa - Founder and Managing Partner at PRECISE, and Dr. Paul Yillia - COO and Technical Advisor, TENN to find out how policy design and finance go hand-hand in ensuring that farmers in rural communities can afford their energy needs fo…

In the seventh episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Anshul Ojha - Founder and Principal anchor for the Desert Resource Center, and Ralph Roothaert - Principal Investigator – Veggies 4 Planet & People (V4P&P) Project and Country Director – of Kenya Eastern and Southern Africa (World Vegetable Center).…

In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of the landmark $10M partnership between Crossboundary Access (CBA) and Mobile Power–a partnership that promises to unlock energy access for over 300,000 people within Nigeria.By Lynne Wesonga, Luke Burras, Olubunmi Olajide, Chigozie Ubah

In the sixth episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Nirmita Chandrashekar a licensed architect and Senior Program Manager with SELCO Foundation in India, and Bijal Brahmbatt from the Mahila Housing Trust or MHT, a non-profit that was selected as a Women Changemakers India Fellow by Womanity Foundation. In…

In the fifth episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we continue our conversation from the last episode of the series joined by Shweta Narayan from the India-based NGO "Health Care Without Harm", and Shri Ram Kumar S, IAS - Project Director of the Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project (MEGHSSP).…

Donor-funded catalytic capital has been an integral part of the growth of the off-grid energy sector in Sub-Saharan Africa by de-risking new technologies and business models. David Arinze joins us in this episode to discuss the ecosystem impact and growth of projects funded by catalytic capital and how it is allowing organizations to scale enough t…

In the fourth episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Rachita Misra - Associate Director of Knowledge and Advocacy with SELCO Foundation in India, and Heather Adair-Rohani - Acting Head of Air Quality, Energy and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO) to discuss the energy and health nexus. Focusing…

In the third episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Supriya Gowda - Project Manager of Agriculture for the SELCO Foundation, and Makena Ireri - former Director of Clean Energy Access Research at CLASP to discuss distributed energy for agriculture in the Global South, focusing on small-hold farmers in Indi…

In the second episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Ganesh Neelam-Director of Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI) and Huda Jaffer-Director of SELCO Foundation to discuss how improving access to clean affordable energy and energy efficient equipment & services is critical for small an…

In the first episode of the Distributed Energy For People & The Planet series, we are joined by Harish Hande- founder of SELCO Foundation, and Gauri Singh- Deputy Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to discuss the important role that policy and innovation plays in ensuring equitable outcomes in the push towards SDG…

How does an investment firm contribute to accelerating Sub-Saharan Africa's access to energy? In this episode, we talk to Pete Joubert, President and Chief Investment Officer for CrossBoundary Energy--an investment firm and developer focused on unlocking capital to provide cleaner and cheaper power to enterprises in Africa-- about the challenges, i…

Motivated by the lack of engaging and accessible resources on climate change, Eric Steinberger co-founded ClimateScience: a non-profit E-learning platform dedicated to filling the knowledge gaps in subject matters related to climate change.By Eric Steinberger, Olubunmi Olajide

Green steel is metal manufactured using a hybrid process powered by hydrogen, as opposed to fossil fuels. Mainstream adoption of green steel could be as far as 2026 and will significantly decarbonize heavy industries.Niklas Wahlberg, Vice-President of Societal Changes and Solutions at the Volvo Group, joins us this week to discuss the development a…

Uli Lehr, Head of Socio-Economics at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), joins us this week to discuss the human costs of decarbonizing heavy industries and the role governments and multi-national organizations need to play in the push for a just and equitable transition in the industry sector.…

Building low-carbon infrastructure and enabling industries to support their growth is becoming increasingly challenging globally. Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), a free trade zone in Nigeria with a world-class integrated logistics base, is at the center of this challenge in West Africa.By Amy Jadesimi, Olubunmi Olajide, Gökce Mete

Saralyn Thomas & Miguel Trenkel-Lopez, members of the Nuclear Institute's Young Generation Network, join us to discuss the role of nuclear energy in the energy transition and their plans for COP26 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Glasgow, Scotland this November.By Saralyn Thomas, Olubunmi Olajide, Miguel Trenkel-Lopez

Heavy industries are responsible for about a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and re-imagining the physical infrastructure of energy is the challenge that Kanin Energy aims to solve through its 'hardware-as-a-service' business model.By Janice Tran, Olubunmi Olajide

Enabling economic growth and development through access to energy is at the heart of Em-One Energy Solutions' work. Since it was founded, Em-One has electrified rural healthcare centers and communities, government offices, schools, and much more.By Mir S Islam, Olubunmi Olajide

Afnan is the CEO of Okra Solar, which aims to unlock the potential of villages and microentrepreneurs with Internet-of-Things controlled smart microgrids. While other companies looked to ride out the pandemic conservatively, Afnan took a 3 week trip to Nigeria to partner with local companies and attract investments to Okra.…

Oolu Solar raised an $8.5 million Series B funding round in 2020 led by RP Global and including All On, Doseke Akporiaye is leading their expansion into Nigeria.By Olubunmi Olajide, Doseke Akporiaye

Arnergy and Auxano Solar have raised a combined total of $10.5 million in funding to build renewable businesses. In this episode, we speak to the founders of the 2 companies to understand the unique challenges of building and scaling in Africa.By Chuks Umezulora, Femi Adeyemo, Olubunmi Olajide

For every two hours, staying by a kerosene lantern is the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes.By Olubunmi Olajide, Habiba Ali

With about 80 million Nigerians completely off-grid and another 40 million with less than four hours of power a day the estimated cost to fix Nigeria's power problem today is $200 billion.By Dr. Wiebe Boer, Olubunmi Olajide

"Achieving universal access to electricity by 2030 is estimated to require an investment of USD 187 billion (EUR 163bn) in mini-grids globally, and sub-Saharan Africa is the main destination."By Humphrey Wireko, Olubunmi Olajide

Hydrogen's role in the energy transition has gained popularity as new use cases (and markets) open up, but concerns around distribution and storage have affected its real-world applications.By Olubunmi Olajide, Jared Moore

Careers in energy along with other industries have many challenges, this week we speak with Mervin Azeta who started her career as a field engineer at Schlumberger. A highly technical field that has very low female participation.By Mervin Azeta, Olubunmi Olajide

The job market has never been so competitive and the energy sector is no exception, how can you stand out in an ever-growing pool of applicants?By Amanda Rico, Olubunmi Olajide

Sustainable Development Goal 7 aims to "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all" by 2030 - are we on track?By Sustainable Energy For All, Olubunmi Olajide, Damilola Ogunbiyi

Dr. Aimee Ambrose joins us this week to explain how the concept of 'energy invisibility' inspired her research into how our relationship with energy influences policy and energy infrastructure.By Olubunmi Olajide, Aimee Ambrose

The Global Youth Energy Outlook is designed to be the definitive tool for understanding what young people want for the future of energy. The first report of its kind, the Global Youth Energy Outlook is an entirely youth-led research project that aims to connect with 50,000 young people from around the world.…

Jim joins us this week to discuss the role oil & gas companies will play in the energy transition, and how this will affect the workforce especially young people as large companies race to decarbonize and digitize their global operations.Email us your questions: [email protected] Jim Claunch, Olubunmi Olajide

Joining us this week is Godwin Nwangele who will share his story of being awarded the Rhodes scholarship after a last-minute submission and how he started a renewable company prior to this award while in the final year of his bachelor's program in electrical engineering.By Olubunmi Olajide, Godwin Nwangele

Generation 2050 is an initiative by the Energy Institute that aims to create space for young professionals in the energy sector to call for governments and energy leaders to take more decisive action on both universal energy access and climate change mitigation.By Olubunmi Olajide, Sinead Obeng

Lack of access to clean cooking disproportionately affects women in developing countries, aside from emission - use of biomass fuels in enclosed spaces have been tied to adverse health effects.By Olubunmi Olajide, Jennifer Anya, Raffaella Bellanca

Jigar Shah joins us this week to discuss renewable energy being "the largest wealth creation opportunity of our lifetime", and it's role in delivering sustainable energy generation to billions of people worldwide.By Olubunmi Olajide, Jigar Shah

Nigeria's oil and gas reserves have contributed to it being Africa's largest economy, but how will the economy fare in the context of a global energy transition and an international push away from fossil fuels.By Olubunmi Olajide, Olatunde Okeowo