Agenda Key
Generation Theatre
Insightful sessions from the sector on what the current trends are in energy generation and how can youth prepare for jobs in the sector
Tomorrow’s World Theatre
How can the youth prepare today to grab tomorrow’s opportunities
Learning & Development
Credible organisations will share their expertise through interactive training courses with real life examples to help build the bridge between academia and industry.
Recruiters Spotlight
A range of companies/organisations will present their graduate recruitment and internship programmes and give insights into the role of their organisation in the energy development universe, providing insights into the vast range of jobs available in the sector.
Entrepreneurs Arena
Entrepreneurs are invited to pitch their business ideas to industry experts who will offer guidance, and some will also offer funding!
Ask the Experts
Drop-in Clinic - Delegates can join 20-minute small group meetings with leading experts in the sector from aef, who will be able to guide you on everything from career advice to what their day to job looks like.
Connect and Chill Cinema – Now showing The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Be inspired by the true story of William Kamkwamba's incredible journey of innovation, to power the village water pump and save the village crop
YES! & aef football tournament – delegates will be invited to participate
Agenda
Note: topics, times and speakers may be subject to change as the agenda develops
Day One: Wednesday 18 June 2024
07:30-08:30 Registration & Networking Coffee YES! Opening Ceremony
08:30 -09:00 YES! Opening Remarks: Why the YES! Generation Should Be Excited About the Energy Sector!
• Why is 43% of Africa not having access to electricity an exciting opportunity for the youth!
• Highlighting the vast range of jobs in the energy sector.
• Where are the job/entrepreneurship opportunities and how can you prepare?
09:00-09:15 YES! 2025 Awards
09:00 –10:30 Walk with Me - Success Stories from YES! Alumni. Hear directly from the youth who are building incredible career opportunities through YES!
Speaker:
Participants:
• Noella Molefe, Senior Specialist- Climate Change & Air Quality, Exxaro Resources, South Africa
• Emmanuel Terwase, Founder and CEO, Boost Power, Nigeria
Inspired by YES!, Emmanuel expanded Boost Power’s pilot microgrid from powering 7 shops to 45 businesses & is now working toward supporting over 200 shops.
• Madalitso Chimpeni, Co-Founder, Mpepu Energy, Malawi*
Madalitso used networking opportunities at YES! to secure $25,000 seed grant to establish a wind microgrid - powering 120 homes, 30 businesses & helped over 1,600 lives!
• Granny Lesiamang, Founding Director, Clauseph BioFuels, Botswana
Inspired by innovators at YES!, Granny redefined her approach by implementing a pay-as-you-go model which led to exponential growth with her clean-cooking business.
• Matsepiso Majoro, Co-Founder/Managing Director, Mahlaseli Energy, Lesotho
After YES!, Matsepesio adopted a pay-as-you-go model, opened two new branches, & plans to hire 20+ people & partner with NGOs to deliver solar solutions in schools.
• Jane Nakasamu, Co-Founder, Greenbelt Energy, Zambia
Through YES!, Jane secured a consultancy role & now supports the development of three renewable energy projects in Zambia.
• Sani Kamilu, Drilling Fluid Engineer, Hamilton Technologies Limited, Nigeria
After YES!, Sani was empowered to lead a project that electrified a remote village, led energy seminars & secured a position with a major electricity distribution company.
Incredible Success Stories from YES! Alumni - Hear directly from Youth who are changing Africa through opportunities at YES! (Continued)
• Imo-Obong Utoh, Minigrids Business Development Officer, ENGIE Energy Access (Africa), Nigeria
After YES!, Imo was inspired to join a team that developed award-winning mini-grids to 15 rural Nigerian communities – bringing electricity to over 5000 people.
• Rebecca Agadumo, Assistant Project Manager, GCIP-Nigeria, Co-creation HUB, Nigeria
YES! inspired Rebecca to drive greater female representation in the Global Clean Tech Innovation Program, successfully increasing women's participation from 24% to 46%.
• Haruna Inuwa, Energy Systems & Future Fuels Researcher, University of Okada, Nigeria
Mentorship acquired at YES! ultimately secured Haruna a fully funded scholarship at Oxford University. Haruna is now creating environmental education in rural languages.
10:30-11:00 Networking Coffee
11:00-12:30
Energy Transition: What Does Africa Want?
• What does energy transition truly mean for Africa?
• How realistic is the journey to a green economy for the continent?
• What will be the impact of emerging geopolitics?
• What Does Africa want/need?
• What jobs will energy transition create?
Moderator:
Participants:
Tech-Driven Transformation: Digital Skills and AI in the Energy Sector
• How will digital transformation and AI shape the future of energy?
• Digital twinning, predictive maintenance, energy-specific software, and their role in optimising renewable systems and driving efficiency.
• What skills and careers are evolving in this landscape?
Moderator: Daniel Kammen, Professor, University of California, Berkeley
12:30-13:30 Networking Lunch
Community Based Initiatives for Energy in Education Hosted by:
by: Bowmans Speaker: Shalin Ledwaba, Head of Talent
• Solar- where are the mega solar projects and how are they changing the energy landscape?
• Wind - Africa has only harnessed 2% of its wind power, what is stopping Africa from reaching full potential?
• Hydro – How will climate change impact hydro projects?
• Hydrogen - What skills is the hydrogen industry looking for?
Moderator:
Participants: Geoffrey Ronoh, CTO, OFGEN Africa Engineers of the Future
• How are engineering roles changing with technological changes?
Moderator:
Speakers: Omaira Jajbhay, Electrical Engineer, ZUTARI
Gas and Coal as Enablers of Energy Transition
• How crucial are fossil fuels to Africa’s current energy needs?
• Why are coal, oil, & gas necessary to uphold the ‘transition’ as a baseload fuel?
• What gas projects are happening now and why are they exciting?
• What solutions are being developed for cleaner fossil fuel energy generation?
Moderator:
• How will battery storage develop to support the C&I space
Moderator:
Participants: Marius Harmse, Country Manager
Protecting Your Business: Legal Matters to Consider as an SME
Day Two: Thursday 19 June 2025
07:30-09:00
09:00-10:30 Generation Theatre
Energy Transmission – From Generation to Access
• Without transmission, energy generation is useless. How do transmission projects work?
• What are the biggest challenges in building transmission projects and what could be potential solutions?
• What are the careers available in transmission?
Moderator:
Participants: Mohamed Rali Badissy, Professor & PPA Watch CoDirector, Penn State Dickinson Law & The Energy for Growth Hub Session Hosted by: South Africa's IPP Office Embracing Your Entrepreneur Potential: Transforming Your Mindset for Success Hosted by: Trainer: If I Was President for a Day… Understanding Policy Challenges
Hosted by:
Trainer: Short Listed Entrepreneurs Presenting: Solutions for Rural Electrification
Hosted by: Entrepreneurs:
09:00-09:40 Pele Energy Group Speakers: Melissa Wilkinson, Chief People Officer, Pele Energy Group 09:00 - 09:25 Seriti Green Speaker: Layton Nenzinane, Chief Financial Officer, Seriti Green 09:45-10:25 Speakers 09:30 - 09:55 Globeleq Speaker: Danna Mhango, Business Development Manager, Globeleq 10:00 – 10:30 Bowmans Speaker:
10:30: 11:00 Networking Coffee
• What are current trends indicating for off-grid?
• How is off grid filling the gap?
• What financing methods are used?
• How can off-grid projects become part of a larger energy ecosystem? Moderator:
13:30-15:00
15:00-15:30
• How will rural electrification projects provide employment opportunities to Africans?
Moderator:
Participants:
Cyprien Musimar, Director General, ANSER (Agence Nationale d’électrification et des Services Énergétiques en milieux Rural et périurbain), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Brian Kelly, Founder and CEO, Anzana Electric
• Putting in place a funding mechanism to scale
Moderator:
Participants: David Arinze, Program Officer, Off Grid Energy, Diamond Development Initiatives
Mokgabo Tshenkeng, Autonomi Capital, Investment Advisor
• How can Africa’s wealth of critical minerals be mobilised to support global energy transition
• Understanding the supply chain from extraction and processing to sales and export.
• Why the youth should be excited about harnessing critical minerals
Moderator:
Latifa Zandamela, Attorney at Law, SAL & Caldeira Advogados, Lda. (A member of DLA Piper Africa)
Participants:
Noella Molefe, Senior SpecialistClimate Change & Air Quality, Exxaro Resources
Day Three: Friday 20 June 2025
07:30-09:00 Registration & Networking Coffee
08:30-09:30 Generation Theatre
Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Collaboration Between Industry and Academia
• How can academia and private industry collaborate to overcome knowledge gaps in energy training?
• What are the critical skills that need to be developed to prepare young people for careers in energy?
• Skills vs Qualification
Moderator:
Participants: Mohamed Rali Badissy, Professor & PPA Watch Co-Director, Penn State Dickinson Law & The Energy for Growth Hub
10:45-11:00
• What does an energy project cycle look like?
• What are the factors behind a successfuol project cycle
• What are the main pitfalls and why is the sector struggling to find solutions?
• The role of African youth in shaping energy policy and advocating for sustainable solutions.
• How young leaders are influencing energy decisionmaking at local, national, and regional levels.
Moderator:
Speakers: Obbie Banda, Senior Underwriter & RLSF Coordinator
Beatrice Nyabira, Partner-Projects, Energy and Restructuring, IKM Advocates
• Effective strategies for engaging in energy policy discussions, building coalitions, and mobilising support for youth-led initiatives.
Moderator:
Speakers: Daniel Aryee, Policy Advocacy Coordinator, African Union Commission, Ethiopia
Daniel Tate, PhD Candidate in International Relations, University of Oxford
the Future: Getting Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the Road
• Understanding the continent’s potential to embrace EVs
• What are the key challenges in EV adoption?
• Overcoming challenges in microgrids and battery-swapping initiatives.
• Skills needed to succeed in this emerging sector, from electrical engineering to systems design.
Moderator: Participants:
• How can Africa’s young innovators drive the continent’s energy future, and what can industry leaders do to support them?
Moderator: Mary Mindo, Assistant Manager, Digital Banking (Innovation Lab), Afreximbank
Speakers: Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director & Co – Founder, Power Learn Project
Confirmed Speakers to Date
Academics, Initiative Providers and Recruiting Companies
• Gqi Raoleka, CEO, Pele Energy Group
• Anel Bosman, CEO, Nedbank CIB*
• Layton Nenzinane, CFO, Seriti Green
• Brian Kelly, Founder and CEO, Anzana Electric
• Danna Mhango, Business Development Manager, Globeleq
• Shalin Ledwaba, Head of Talent Acquisition, Bowmans
• Cyprien Musimar, Director General, ANSER (Agence Nationale d’électrification et des Services Énergétiques en milieux Rural et périurbain), Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Norman Moyo, CEO, Grid Africa
• Marius Harmse, Country Manager of South Africa, Tecloman
• Mohamed Rali Badissy, Professor & PPA Watch Co-Director, Penn State Dickinson Law & The Energy for Growth Hub
• Dan Kammen, Professor, University of California, Berkeley
• Melissa Wilkinson, Chief People Officer, Pele Energy Group*
• Obbie Banda, Senior Underwriter & RLSF Coordinator, ATIDI - African Trade & Investment Development Insurance
• Frank Spencer, Regional Director, Southern Africa, Cainmani
• Beatrice Nyabira, Partner- Projects, Energy and Restructuring, IKM Advocates
• David Arinze, Program Officer, Off Grid Energy, Diamond Development Initiatives
• Geoffrey Ronoh, CTO, OFGEN Africa
• Aatifah Latief, Sustainable Energy Facilitation Professional Officer: Communications, City of Cape Town
• Shaun McLaughlin, Director of Learning & Leadership, The Challenges Group
• Mokgabo Tshenkeng, Autonomi Capital, Investment Advisor
• Mumbi Ndung’u, Executive Director & Co – Founder, Power Learn Project
• Omaira Jajbhay, Electrical Engineer, ZUTARI
• Mary Mindo, Assistant Manager, Digital Banking (Innovation Lab), Afreximbank
• Latifa Zandamela, Attorney at Law, SAL & Caldeira Advogados, Lda. (A member of DLA Piper Africa)
• Charlene Ruto, Founder & Patron, Smachs Foundation & The Young Peoples Network International
YES! Alumni – Walk with Me Programme (Featuring YES! Alumni who have made great strides in the past year through YES!)
• Madalitso Chimpeni, Co-Founder, Mpepu Energy, Malawi
• Granny Lesiamang, Founding Director, Clauseph BioFuels, Botswana
• Matsepiso Majoro, Co-Founder/Managing Director, Mahlaseli Energy, Lesotho
• Jane Nakasamu, Co-Founder, Greenbelt Energy, Zambia
• Sani Kamilu, Drilling Fluid Engineer, Hamilton Technologies Limited, Nigeria
• Imo-Obong Utoh, Minigrids Business Development Officer, ENGIE Energy Access (Africa), Nigeria
• Rebecca Lekwa, Assistant Project Manager, UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP), Nigeria
• Haruna Inuwa, Energy Systems & Future Fuels Researcher, University of Okada, Nigeria
• Mercy Kayalo, Founder & CEO, Feion Green Ventures, Nairobi
• Emmanuel Terwase, Founder and CEO, Boost Power
YES! Members Who are Now Developing in the Sector
• Noella Molefe, Senior Specialist- Climate Change & Air Quality, Exxaro Resources
• Daniel Aryee, Policy Advocacy Coordinator, African Union Commission, Ethiopia
• Damilola Hamid Balogun, Co-founder/CEO, Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN)
• Benaiah Namunyu, Chairperson, MURESA, Kenya
• Abubakar Shuaibu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Green Energy Mission Africa
• Daniel Tate, PhD Candidate in International Relations, University of Oxford*
Note * =awaiting final confirmation