YES! Youth Energy Day Post Show Forum Report

Welcome

YES! Youth Energy Day – where Africa’s most influential energy players met Africa’s next generation of talent

On 10 November 2023, 16 of the biggest names in African industry met with young people to talk about career possibilities in the energy sector.

Young people need jobs. And the energy sector needs talent.

In a world-first, this was an initiative that took place simultaneously in four African cities: Nairobi, Cape Town, Lagos and Cairo. Supported by three host universities, it was also live-streamed through the Beyond Privilege digital platform – so that everyone, wherever they were in the continent, had the opportunity to be part of it.

The YES! mission is to enable the next generation of energy leaders to develop the network, connections and knowledge needed to take on the task of electrifying Africa.

Many young people don’t consider the energy sector as a possible career path simply because they’re unaware of the opportunities or the hugely diverse and exciting jobs that are out there.

YES! seeks to change that.

YES! Youth Energy Day represented the next stage of the broader YES! journey, which began at the Africa Energy Forum 2022 in Brussels. In 2023 in Nairobi, more than 1,000 delegates from 28 countries saw its sessions expand, and its ambitions scale.

The Beyond Privilege platform, launched in June 2023, now has 5,000 young people exploring careers in energy and seeking ways to collaborate, as YES! looks to scale up job creation across the continent.

The YES! Team

Absolutely eye opening– we got to explore different career fields and how they connect to the energy sector. It was also a great opportunity to network and learn about companies that I never knew existed, as well as the amazing work they’re doing.

Student, YES! Youth Energy Day

With thanks to our speakers

Lagos

Initiative Providers:

Onyinye Anene-Nzelu, Head, Mini-Grids, Engie

Anthonia Greg, Assistant Manager, HR & Admin, Husk Power Systems

Emeka Okpukpara, Partner, Energy, The Nextier

Ezinne Anosike, Country Head, People & Culture, Stanbic IBTC

Carol Olayi, Head People & Culture, Stanbic IBTC Farida Sanusi, Partner, Shortlist

Ivie Temitayo-Ibitoye, Head of Employee Experience, Sahara Group

Ejiro Gray, Governance & Sustainability, Sahara Group

Wale Yusuff, Managing Director, Nigeria, Wartsila

Tosin Ipaye, Programme Officer for the Energizing Education Programme, REA

Emmanuel Yusuf, Senior HR Manager, Genesis Energy

Damola Omole, Director Utility Innovation, GEAPP

Youth Members:

Atiku Jafar, Member, International Board, African Law Students’ Association; Partner, Bowyard Partners

Abubakar Shuaibu, CEO & Founder, Green Energy Mission Africa

Bethel Nwaneri, Executive, HR Business Partner, GE Vernova

Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala, Head of Programmes, Performance, Operations and Finance, Youth Sustainable Development Network

Bright Nwaneri, Investment Analyst, Consonance

Tolulope Gbenro, Social Impact Activist & ESG Consultant

Celia Aku, Ass. Manager, GIS & Site Acquisition, Husk Power Systems

Eugene Ozor, Service Technician – Mechanical, Wartsila

Funmilayo Oyekanmi, Founder & ED, HSSN, Human and Social Sustainability Network Africa, National Youth Caucus Nigeria

Cairo

Initiative Providers:

Lamya Abdel Hady, Independent Consultant

Mostafa El-Gamal, HR Manager & HR Business Partner, Egypt, Hitachi Energy

Betty Varghese, Manager – HR, Larsen & Toubro

Mohamed El Kordy, Head of Human Capital MENA, Infinity Power

Julie Beshara, Sustainable Design Engineer, Infinity Power

Ahmed Reda, Operations Director, Enara

Youssef El-Dabe, Business Development Coordinator, Orascom Construction

Shereen El-Etreby, Senior HR Manager, Orascom Construction

Dr. Ahmed Bahaa, Senior Engineer, Minister’s Technical Office, Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

Mr. Mohamed El Hadidy, Hr Manager, GASREG

Mohit Madan, Senior Manager- HR, Larsen & Toubro

The event was awesome. I made a lot of connections with different people, both innovators, business owners, and directors.

With thanks to our speakers

Nairobi

Initiative Providers:

Makena Ireri, Director for Demand, Jobs and Livelihoods, GEAPP

Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO, Africa Minigrid Developers Association

Obbie Banda, Underwriter & Acting RLSF Coordinator, ATIDI

Ciru Longden, Head of Knowledge Management & Learning, Bowmans

Beatrice Nyabira, Projects, Energy & Restructuring, DLA Piper Africa (IKM Advocates)

Michael Kamau, ICT Academy Lead, Huawei Kenya

Judith Mbogo, Senior Communications Officer, KenGen

Kibugi Kigundu, Chief of Staff, Synergetic Energy

Cassandra Kiereini, Director, Futures, Shortlist

Carol Koech, Country President- Kenya, Schnieder Electric

Linet Luvai, Deputy Resident Representative, UNIDO

Helen Kiunuhe, Chief Project Officer, Synergetic Energy

Geoffrey Ronoh, Co-Founder & Technical Director, OFGEN

Prof. Izael Pereira Da Silva, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research & Innovation, Strathmore University

Dr. Hans Koopman, Senior Advisor Future Energy Systems Africa, Siemens Energy

Youth Members:

Timothy Gachucha, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Power Learn Project

Lucy Mutuku, CEO, National Youth Caucus, Kenya

Arnold Kiptum, Synergetic Energy

Mercy Chelangat, Electrical& Instrumentation Intern, Synergetic Energy

Isaac Machuki, Graduate Trainee, Schneider Electric

Cape Town

Initiative Providers:

Dr. Snowy Khoza, Senior Advisor, GEAPP

Jonathan Berman, MD, Autonomi Capital

Lee Smith, Head of Renewables, Sub-Saharan Africa, ABL

Shalin Ledwaba, Head of Talent Acquisition, Bowmans

Xolani Nyali, Partner, Bowmans

Chipo Hamukoma, Senior Associate, Demand, Jobs & Livelihoods, GEAPP

Preeti Neerachand, HR Manager, IPP Office

Portia Muyunda, Head of HR, Nedbank CIB

Wendy Green, Country Manager, South Africa, Daystar

Bonolo Ranamane, Head of Subregion Africa for Controls and Digitalization, Siemens Energy

Lerato Mashiloane, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, Africa, Siemens Energy

Youth Members:

Noella Molefe, Senior Specialist, Climate Change & Air Quality, Exxaro

Aatifah Latief, Professional Officer, Communications, Training & Education, City of Cape Town

Mpho Ludalo, Sustainability Champion, Region Africa, Siemens Energy

Thuso Kuali, Energy & Infrastructure, Standard Bank

David Frank, Senior Associate, Energy Finance, Nedbank CIB

Refilwe Masilo, Economic Development Graduate, IPP Office

Samkelo Zotha, Graduate- Infrastructure Finance, IPP Office

Bayabonga Myeni, Legal Graduate, IPP Office

Richard Bryce, Senior Associate, Bowmans

Daniel Tate, DPhil Candidate in International Relations, University of Oxford

YES! Youth Energy Day was a lifetime experience, a platform where youths had an opportunity to meet, learn, interact, share and network with others across Africa.

Beyond Privilege – connecting youth across the continent

It’s an amazing place to interact and network. Helps in keeping up with the ever-dynamic job market

Beyond Privilege is the free-to-access digital platform designed specifically for the YES! network to connect with other students, entrepreneurs and young professionals, access year-round industry news, engage with regular courses and workshops, and discover job opportunities.

Great initiative, very informative and helpful platform for young professionals to engage with industry leaders in energy.

Its an amazing platform where I have made connections with industry stakeholders who I believe will help in my energy career.

Agenda

Lagos / Cairo

Opening Remarks

Keynote

Session 1: Tomorrow’s Jobs Today

Online only session: Summary of Tomorrow’s Jobs Today

Workshop: Graduate Recruitment Spotlight

Recruiting Company Presentations

Hosted by:

Lagos Presented by Cairo Presented by

Session 3: Career Paths

Online Only Session: Summary of Career Paths in Energy

Workshop: Graduate Recruitment Spotlight

Recruiting Company Presentations

Lagos Presented by Cairo Presented by

Q&A from Early Career Professionals and Students

Closing Session: Voices of Tomorrow

Agenda

Nairobi / Cape Town

Opening Remarks

Keynote

Session 2: Tomorrow’s Jobs Today

Online only session: Summary of Tomorrow’s Jobs Today

Workshop: Graduate Recruitment Spotlight

Recruiting Company Presentations

Hosted by:

Nairobi Presented by Cape Town

Q&A from Early Career Professionals and Students

Session 4: Career Paths

Online Only Session: Summary of Career Paths in Energy

Workshop: Graduate Recruitment Spotlight

Recruiting Company Presentations

Presented by

Nairobi Presented by Cape Town

Q&A from Early Career Professionals and Students

Closing Session: Voices of Tomorrow

Presented by

Inspiration and guidance from our speakers

You are the torch beam of the energy transition.

Dr. Snowy Khoza, Senior Advisor, GEAPP

As youth you have a critical role to shape the future of energy. Each path will be different.

To get into the room you need to get people to be interested in you. Then make sure you have done the due diligence and know the facts.

Thuso Kuali, Energy & Infrastructure, Standard Bank

This is an imperative event, with an imperative agenda.

Remember that leadership is in every single one of you. Lead yourself, lead quietly, and that will really make a difference.

Wendy Green, Country Manager, South Africa, Daystar

Portia Muyunda, Head of HR, Nedbank CIB

Mpho Ludalo, Sustainability Champion, Region Africa, Siemens Energy

Session Highlights

Tomorrow’s Jobs Today

Session coverage in collaboration with

Moderator: Judith Mbogo, Senior Communications Officer, KenGen (Kenya)

Participants:

Lucy Mutuku, CEO National Youth Caucus, Kenya

Obbie Banda, Underwriter & Acting RLSF Coordinator, ATIDI (Kenya)

Lee Smith, Head of Renewables, Sub Saharan Africa, ABL (South Africa)

Olamide Niyi-Afuye, CEO Africa Minigrid Developers Association (Kenya)

Hosted by

Dr. Hans Koopman, Senior Advisor Future Energy Systems Africa, Siemens Energy (Kenya)

Karen Breytenbach, Director, Juniper Consulting (South Africa)

Linet Luvai, Deputy Resident Representative, UNIDO (Kenya)

YES! Youth Energy Day was a dynamic and insightful event aimed at addressing the critical issue of youth employment within the energy sector. Makena Ireri, Director for Demand, Jobs and Livelihoods, GEAPP, set the tone for the day with a compelling opening remark. She underscored the collective responsibility required to address the global challenge of youth unemployment, emphasizing that the dreams of countless young people remain unfulfilled—an issue transcending geographical boundaries.

Makena urged the private sector to actively engage with the youth, creating awareness about available opportunities, making these opportunities practical, and establishing platforms to showcase and promote youth-driven solutions—a sentiment echoed by the vibrant display of innovation during the YES! summit in Nairobi.

Judith Mbogo emphasized the need for youth to diversify their skill sets, considering the diverse range of opportunities within the energy sector. Karen Breytenbach, stressed the importance of involving the private sector in empowering the youth, emphasizing that the youth are not just the future but must actively shape it.

Olemide Niyi-Afuye drew attention to the possibility of working in the energy sector irrespective of one’s background, stressing the importance of thorough research and the continuous updating of skill sets. Obbie Banda highlighted current trends, including increased private sector investments, innovation in small projects, climate-friendly initiatives, heightened youth participation, and enhanced local ownership.

Lee Smith and Linet Luvai addressed the critical issue of the gap between graduates and the labor market, stressing the need to bridge this gap and discussing skill development programs and practical digital skills to equip the youth with green skills.

Obbie reiterated the growing role of the private sector and emphasized the responsibility of the youth to actively contribute by identifying and filling industry niches. Olamide challenged the youth to broaden their perspectives beyond their assigned roles.

Discussions revealed that short and long-term job opportunities within the energy sector encompassed roles such as Electrical Engineers, Chemical Engineers, Carbon Developers, Electric Vehicle Specialists, Solar and Wind Technicians, Energy Storage Specialists, and many more.

Key skills included good planning, task execution ability, flexibility, agility, adaptability, and social skills. The consensus was that employers often prioritize attitude over experience, and effective communication is crucial.

To shape future roles and career paths, the panel recommended fostering collaborations with learning institutions, providing internship and volunteer programs, and supporting early career professionals with training initiatives and short courses.

In her closing remarks, youth representative Lucy Mutuku urged companies to offer entry-level jobs for graduates, emphasizing the learnability of every job. The resounding message from panelists to the youth was a call to action—take control of your career, shape your future, and remember that no one cares about your career as much as you do.

Author: Lucy Mutuku

As a young person, where am I going to get my ideas from for an entrylevel job? If you don’t give us opportunities, when will we develop our careers?

Lucy Mutuku, CEO National Youth Caucus, Kenya

2023 Session Highlights

Tomorrow’s Jobs Today

Moderator: Funmilayo Oyekanmi, Founder & ED, HSSN, Human and Social Sustainability Network Africa, National Youth Caucus Nigeria

Speakers:

Emeka Okpukpara, Partner, Energy, The Nextier (Nigeria)

Ejiro Gray, Governance & Sustainability, Sahara Group (Nigeria)

Hosted by

Emeka started off the session by discussing Nigeria’s reliance on fossil fuels and how this has created an unsafe ecosystem, hence, the imminent need to diversify into Green and Sustainable Energy Spaces with the young people taking the lead.

Ejiro opened with the revelation that the energy sector is a key driver of all other sectors in Nigeria, therefore, there are trends of innovations in the industry giving rise to new opportunities.

She asserted that even if Nigeria is a “Crude oil” nation, we must bring the blend of renewable energy into the mix. She particularly emphasized the integration of “Decarbonization of Crude-oil Technology” as the future of safe energy practice.

With the emergence of massive capacity gaps in Nigeria currently, Emeka urged young people to upskill and try out new projects in natural gas, electricity, petroleum, and other renewable resources.

He cleared the misconception that if you are not an engineer, you are not fit to be in the energy sector.

Instead, he encouraged the youth to identify problems and create scalable, sustainable solutions to solve them.

Ejiro also emphasized the need for youth to sharpen their problem-solving skills. She opined that jobs in the energy sector cut across technical and non-technical functions:

“We need analysts, accountants, law consultants, policymakers, etc. in the industry and youth need to find their intersection and plant their feet.”

She reiterated that growth and collaboration between the corporate, private sector, and the youth is a major way to scale the involvement of youth in the industry.

Emeka said that LinkedIn optimization and research on energy companies that might not be extensively visible on the internet are great ways of scouting for opportunities in the energy sector. Some of the resources mentioned by Emeka for upskilling include Electricity Hub, Visiting Hub Power Line, and Self Research.

Lastly, the youth were encouraged to not only think about what they stand to gain but also about what value they can bring to the table.

Author: Bamidele Isaac Itunu

Video Gallery

Photo Gallery

Feedback from students on the day

The sessions were amazing. I learnt a lot about employability in the energy sector.

It was a very educational, eye opening and insightful event. It also enabled me to network with peers in various energy sectors and gain an overall perspective of the energy sector.

Great initiative, very informative and helpful platform for young professionals to engage with industry leaders in energy.

The YES! Youth Energy Day was an awesome event. My biggest take-away is that I should be more daring in my job applications. I do not have to be a perfect fit to apply.

It was absolutely fantastic, I really learnt a lot from the event.

The event was fantastically organised and run. There was a lot of advice and information given that helped me gain insight into the industry and opportunities.

I had a wonderful time at that event. The content was relevant and engaging, and the networking opportunities were top-notch.

It was an eye opener. Fascinating experience. Kudos to the team.

I attended YES! Youth Energy Day, and it was a great experience. I learned a lot about the energy sector, and the event provided me with essential career tips and industry knowledge.

It was insightful. I had a chance to interact with various individuals and company reps in the energy sector, and from the sessions my questions got answered. I was also able to get a clear picture of the roadmap ahead and where opportunities in the sector lie as well.

Impactful - there were real time opportunities shared with us and how we can align or position ourselves to pursue them.