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MENTORING PROGRAMMES

PROGRAMMES | COMPLETED MENTORING PROGRAMMES

Run by GWNET and IFC

Women in Renewable Energy in Africa (W-REA) 2021 Mentoring Program

The mentoring program, jointly organised by GWNET and IFC’s Women in Renewable Energy in Africa Network (W-REA) along with Energy2Equal, aimed to support women professionals in the renewable energy sector across sub-Saharan Africa. Spanning 12 months, the initiative focused on enhancing career opportunities for women in the field, specifically targeting mid-career professionals. It sought to address the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated industry, equipping participants with resources and support to advance in their roles and increase their presence in decision-making capacities within the renewable energy sector.

The program’s objectives included increasing the representation of women at managerial and leadership levels to accelerate the energy transition across the region. It also provided training in soft skills, helping participants build self-confidence and positioning them for leadership roles. Additionally, the initiative supported women in defining clear career goals, encouraging them to work strategically towards achieving these milestones. Networking opportunities were also a core component, connecting participants to resources and contacts that could offer new pathways in their careers within the renewable energy sector.

About IFC: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) — a member of the World Bank Group —  is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. By encouraging growth, IFC advances economic development, creates jobs and improves the lives of people.

  • Agatha Ankunda, Energy Sector Coordinator at National Renewable Energy Platform (NREP), Uganda
  • Alda Manuel, Project Manager at Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Angola (AHK Angola), Angola
  • Amanda Tanui, Research Analyst NIIF: NYU Impact Investment Fund, United States
  • Atkilit Bekele Diribsa, Senior Investment Facilitation Consultant at Veritas Consulting, Ethiopia
  • Catherine Nsungwa, Technical Advisor at Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU), Uganda
  • Eunice Claire Akello, Assistant Manager HR at Optica Ltd, Kenya
  • Grace Kalowa Kaonga, Gender Inclusion Specialist at JCM Power, Malawi
  • Hager Mohamed Eltohami Abdelsalam, Project Engineer at Sudan Electricity Holding Co.Ltd, Sudan
  • Jennifer Anya, Program Associate at Nigeria Off-Grid Market Accelerator (Co-created by Shell Foundation & USAID); Nigeria
  • Joyce Wambui Irungu, Director at EED Advisory, Kenya
  • Karen Gibson (Giffard), Director at So Solar (Pty) Ltd, Botswana
  • Katongo Yamba, Principal Engineer at Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), Zambia
  • Mectrida Rweyemamu, Practicing Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and Research & Policy Analyst-Intern at HakiRasilimali, Tanzania
  • Muriel Cookey, Senior Policy Advisor at Joint Regional Transportation Agency, Canada
  • Nanfuka Olivia, Energy Analyst at Green Empowerment, Uganda
  • Natsai Chimutondo, CEO of Natchi Solar, South Africa
  • Nerissa Lawrencia Edem Anku, Just Energy Transitions Coordinator at Global Greengrants Fund, Ghana
  • Netsanet Taye Seid, Project Manager-Renewable Energy at Caritas Schweiz, Ethiopia
  • Nomfundo Millicent Mbijekana, Technical Asset Manager at The SOLA Group, South Africa
  • Nonelela Mtwana, Portfolio Manager at Wesgro, South Africa
  • Oluwatosin George, Founder of The Energy Africa, Nigeria
  • Sylvia Ama Sampong Ekremet, Sales Manager at ecoligo, Ghana
  • Tracy Tunge, Senior specialist: Energy Access at South Pole, United Kingdom
  • Ugwoke Blessing Onyeche, Researcher at Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM), France
  • Zita Ovene Ohikere, Project Associate at European University Insitute, Italy
  • Flavia Anyiko, Head of Risk Management at Uganda Electricity Generation Company Ltd, Uganda
  • Laura Wiehler, Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Germany
  • Daniel Kitwa, Deputy Director Energy Access Finance at GreenMax Capital Advisors, Kenya
  • Ana Tomaradze, Legal Advisor at Imereti Agro Zone, Country Representative for Georgia at YES-Europe, Georgia
  • Moustapha Thiam, General Manager at Lekela Power, Senegal
  • Chioma Ome, Country Director at Solar Sister, Nigeria
  • Onyinye Anene-Nzelu, Head – Mini Grids at ENGIE Energy Access, Nigeria
  • Etsegenet Sitotaw, Energizing Health Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Ethiopia
  • Onneetse Ndadi, Lecturer/Coordinatorat University of Botswana Business, Botswana
  • Julie Roberts, Business Development Manager (East Africa) at SustainSolar; Co-Founder of Langido Design & Screen Printing, Uganda
  • Teri Kruger, Sustainability Director at Synergetics Sustainable Solutions, South Africa
  • Lily Nyawira, Director Operational Excellence at African Management Institute, Kenya
  • Paola Garcia, Commercial Manager at Vattenfall, Germany
  • Ifey Ikeonu, Energy Policy & Regulation Consultant, Ghana
  • Lande Abudu, Component Lead Standalone Solar Systems (World Bank Nigeria Electrification Project)at Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria, Nigeria
  • Kathleen Jean-Pierre, Chief Operating Officer at CrossBoundary Energy, Kenya
  • Elena Gaura, Professor at the Coventry University, United Kingdom
  • Ghada Darwish, Country Manager at Globeleq, Managing Partner at DEM Consulting Co., Egypt
  • Yiying Xiong, Associate Director at Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), United States
  • Gwen Abiola-Oloke, Founder/CEO at DI-AFRICA (Direct Investment Africa), Nigeria
  • Magda Bieńkowska, Marketing Community Lead at enspired, Austria
  • Olola Vieyra, Country Manager at Mionwa, Benin
  • Omobolanle Atobatele, Head – IMGs and Public Partnerships at Husk Power Systems, Nigeria
  • Nathan Awuapila, Energy Officer/Energy Analyst at Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Nigeria
  • Carol Koech, Strategy Director, Sustainability & Thought Leadership, International Operations at Schneider Electric, Kenya

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