Four exceptional women emerged as program’s top performers in the 2022 cohort of the Open Africa Power program, which produced exceptional female talent in the energy sector.
Young professionals have an exceptional opportunity to learn, network with business leaders, and create creative solutions to Africa’s energy challenges through the Open Africa Power programme.
As their future is at stake, it is crucial to arm Africa’s young leaders with the information and resources they need to influence the continent’s energy landscape.
Four exceptional women emerged as the program’s top performers in the 2022 cohort of the Open Africa Power programme, which produced exceptional female talent in the energy sector. Their accomplishments highlight the value of developing young leaders and encouraging diversity in Africa’s energy industry.
For aspiring young professionals hoping to alter Africa’s energy landscape, they serve as role models. This exemplifies the youth of Africa’s enormous potential to lead the continent’s energy transition towards a sustainable and just future. Here is a brief synopsis of these outstanding young performers and their key learnings from Open Africa Power.
Damilola Adeyanju holds degrees in geology from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria and renewable energy, enterprise, and management from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.
She works for the Arctic Basecamp Foundation, a non-profit organisation that promotes science communication and encourages bold action to combat the effects of the global climate crisis. She is the executive coordinator for the organisation. Her capstone project focused on installing virtual power plants in estates to encourage residents to adopt solar energy solutions.
To expedite energy access in Nigeria and other African countries, she submitted an application to Open Africa Power. For Damilola, achieving net-zero goals and averting the climate crisis in climate-vulnerable areas depend on hastening the energy transition.
The main benefit and main takeaway from Open Africa Power, according to her, was expanding her network and establishing connections with other top talents in the African energy sector. She aspires to use the program’s fresh viewpoints, experiences, and knowledge to support a just energy transition on a global scale.
Rose Chemiat graduated from the University of Nairobi in Kenya with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Sustainable Energy. She currently works for Grundfos as the Regional Sales Manager for East and Southern Africa for SafeWater, where she specialises in water and energy management strategies.
Rose, who concentrated on sustainability during her master’s degree, applied to the Open Africa Power 2022 cohort. Her capstone project concentrated on a cutting-edge solar solution for communities and educational institutions.
Rose plans to use the knowledge she has gained from the programme to improve water access in underserved communities by switching out hand pumps for solar-powered ones and developing effective solar-powered solutions. She also wants to help the industry develop by serving as a trainer for similar initiatives that identify and nurture the skills of aspiring energy professionals.
Zimasa Macingwane has an MSc in Maritime Affairs with a focus in Maritime Energy Management from the World Maritime University in Sweden. She is working towards a Ph.D. and examining marine energy for South Africa’s economic development with a research focus on green hydrogen and renewable energy. When Zimasa joined a multinational firm that specialises in constructing wind farms for renewable energy, her interest in energy was piqued.
During the Open Africa Power programme, she had the chance to collaborate with a university professor from Nelson Mandela University who provides business, governmental, and academic advice on energy-related matters.
Her capstone project utilised the electrolysis method to introduce green hydrogen to the nation’s energy mix. She exhorts anyone who is passionate about tackling their nation’s energy issues while working towards complete electrification and sustainability to participate in the programme.
Zita holds a master’s degree in banking and finance with a focus on international business. She works as a Senior Associate in Global Communications for a mini-grid company and is passionate about giving Nigeria’s underserved communities access to energy. After getting a recommendation from a mentor, she applied for the Open Africa Power programme.
The goal of her capstone project was to develop a tool to assess environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics for renewable energy projects and solutions in Nigeria. Meeting and establishing connections with individuals with a wealth of knowledge and experience was the program’s high point.
Zita intends to use the information and perceptions she gained from Open Africa Power in her current position in the future. She advises anyone submitting an application for the programme to network and make connections with other energy industry professionals.