YES! Speakers 2025
Presidents, Vice Presidents, Ministers and Members of Parliament:
H.E. Honourable Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Minister of Electricity & Energy, South Africa
H.E. Honourable Biodun Ogunleye
Commissioner for Energy & Mineral Resources, Lagos State Government, Nigeria
H.E. Honourable July Moyo
Minister of Energy & Power Development, Zimbabwe
H.E. Honourable Lerato Dorothy Mataboge
African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy
H.E. Honourable Samantha Graham-Maré
Deputy Minister of Electricity & Energy, South Africa
Honourable Eric Edem Agbana
Member of Parliament, Government of Ghana, Board Member of the Electricity Company of Ghana
Public Sector, Utilities, and Regulators:
Calib Cassim
CFO, Eskom
Peter Mashatola
General Manager, Eskom
Keneilwe Thejane
Senior Manager in Research, Testing & Development, Eskom
Dzunani Makgopa
Head of Finance and Corporate Services; Acting Head, Economic Development, IPP Office, South Africa
Botshelo Mogotsi
IPP Office South Africa
William Amuna
Chairman, Electricity Company of Ghana
Crescent Mushwana,
Head of Technical, IPP Office, South Africa
Felister Makumbinde
Acting CEO, Rural Electrification Agency Zimbabwe
Cyprien Musimar
Director General, Agence Nationale d’électrification et des Services Énergétiques en milieux Rural et périurbain (ANSER), Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sampson Mamphweli
Head, Energy Secretariat, South African, National Energy Development, Institute (SANEDI), South Africa
Wangari Muchiri
Director: Africa, Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
Aatifah Latief
Professional Officer: Sustainable Energy Facilitation, Sustainable Energy Markets Department, Energy Directorate, City of Cape Town
Pitso Sekhoto
Middle Manager, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) & Eskom
Nomfundo Maseti
Full-Time Regulator Member responsible for Piped Gas & Electricity Regulation, National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), South Africa
Jabu Mtsweni
Head of Cyber & Information Research Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa
Aminata Bocar Ba
Africa Regional Manager, RELP
Dehkontee Liles Wymon
Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration, Rural and Renewable Energy Agency, Liberia
Sambatra Ramiandrasoa
Director General, Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons, Madagascar
Tony Pick
Director, QBETA
Naa Adjekai Adjei
Senior Associate, UEF SEforALL
Academics, Initiative Providers, & Associations:
Sani Musa Ibrahim
MSc Student, Dundee University
Pearl Sebakeng
Head: Transacting, DBSA
Mohamed Rali Badissy
Professor & PPA Watch Co-Director, Penn State Dickinson Law & The Energy for Growth Hub
Daniel Kammen
Professor of Energy, University of California, Berkeley
Balla Masemola
Director, Affordable Solar Electricity
Lungile Mashele
Energy Specialist, PIC
Dr Peter Philip Wambua
School of Business, Economics and Tourism, Kenyatta University
Moeketsi Porogo
Graduate, DBSA
Mahlatsi Molokomme
Principal Investment Officer, DBSA
Lesedi Letlhogile
Project Analyst, DBSA
Koena Nkhereanye
Energy Leadership Student, Wits University
Ntalo Khoza
DBSA Young Graduate Programme, Henley Business School
Vincent Maposa
CEO, Wetility Energy
Larissa Ventner
CEO, Zero Carbon Holdings
Wikus Kruger
Power Futures Lab, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business
Bertha Tobias
Rhodes Scholar, MSc Student (Environment and Enterprise), Oxford University
Haruna Inuwa
Energy Systems Modelling & Future Fuels Researcher, University of Oxford
Raymond Takuba
MBA Candidate Project Developer, UCT Graduate School of Business
Mark Swilling
Professor, Commissioner, National Planning Commission, Stellenbosch University
Brenda Marbaniang
Policy Manager, Policy and Regional Strategy, GOGLA
Gloria Kuyoh
Project Manager for Productive Uses of Renewable Energy (PURE), GOGLA
Sarah Malm
Executive Director, GOGLA
Patrick Tonui
Head of Policy and Regional Strategy, GOGLA
Joseph Lumbahe
AI Regional Ambassador, South African AI Association
Valentino Chigwedere
CEO, AEEYC
Chisala Bwalya
Director of Research & Development, Zambia Research & Development Centre
Manqoba Zungu
Co-Founder and Chief Employment Officer, Get Ready Skills
Velani Mboweni
Founder, Lulaloop
Kai Forster
Consultant, Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP)
Michael Opeyemi Ige
Youth Programme Advisor, United Nations World Food Programme
Alba Topulli
CEO, Power for All
Mogomotsi Mokwena,
Founder, Chairing Growth
Jeannie Myeni
Partner, Chairing Growth
Bernadette Seyram
Youth Leader, UNFPA Ghana
Josephine Awo Mashood
Youth Leader, UNFPA
Amtu Akumfi-Ameyaw
Youth Leader, Diaspora Community Coordinator, GUBA
Sarah Shaikh
Senior Campaigns and Partnerships Lead, Power for All
Sumaya Mahomed
Utilities Innovation and Uganda Country Director, Power for All
Sherrie Donaldson
Lead; Opportunity, Development & Incubation, Harambee
René Rademeyer
Lead: Client Relations, Business Development, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Ellen Morta
Enablement Lead, Regional Operations Manager, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Ashwin Adams
Client Relationship Manager, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Matilda Mokoena
Enablement Coordinator, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Sindiswa Xali
Youth Voice Participant, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Jacqueline Mhlanga
Client Relationship Manager, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Stefan Jacques Eksteen
Founder & COO, Wisdom and Wealth
Samantha Eksteen
Co-Founder, Wisdom and Wealth
Michael Tawiah Berko
Founder, Ahabanmono Impact
Murendeni Matshinyatshimbi
Founder & Designer, GenCo Board Game
Gen Kelsang Namkhyen
Teacher, Tushita Kadampa Meditation Centre
Chantelle Davies
Teacher, Tushita Kadampa Meditation Centre
Mapaseka Setlhodi
National Pathway Management Network Lead, Presidential Youth Employment Intervention
Rofhiwa Takalani
Head of Engineering Operations, Square Kilometre Array Observatory
Mila Vicquery
Head of Sustainability, Energy Partners
Melaney Oldenhof
Senior Business Development Associate,, B-Lab Africa
Olamide Niyi-Afuye
CEO, Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA)
Brian Kakembo
Representative, Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT)
Doaa Abdelkader
Representative, Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT)
Osman Abdulai Ayariga
CEO, National Youth Authority Ghana
Manar Benessaidi
Fellow, Global Cititzen
Lungile Magagula
Fellow, Global Cititzen
Hope Madlamini
Fellow, Global Cititzen
Mpho Mookapele
CEO, EWSETA
Khetsiwe Mtiyane-Dlamini
Energy Manager, EWSETA
Simone Karels
PhD Student, UWC
Ridaa Manual
Researcher, SAIMC
Yolanda Mabuto
Secretary General, BRICS: Energy, Green Economy and Climate
Nonhle Nxumalo
Health & Safety Specialist, Maersk
Suzan Paledi
Founder, Paledi Energy and Innovations
Leandro Antonio
Co-Founder, Mosebe Enterprise
Vincent Mosebe
Co-founder, Mosebe Enterprise
Brian Munene
CEO Afrika Renewables
Mudzimuunarine Mphigalale
Founder
Sipelele Sikepe
Founder and CEO
Gabriella Mashele
Student
Okechukwu Precious Ifunayachukwu
Founder/Lead Innovator
Amanda Sphokazi Mwelase
Private Sector:
Gqi Raoleka
CEO, Pele Energy Group
Obakeng Moloabi
Head of Business Development, Pele Energy Group
Anél Bosman
Group Managing Executive, Nedbank CIB
Akinwole Omoboriowo
Chairman & CEO, Genesis Energy
Thabile Ngwato
CEO & Co-Founder, Newzroom Afrika
Layton Nenzinane
CFO, Seriti Green
Kesh Mudaly
Partner, BCG
Brian Kelly
Founder & CEO, Anzana Electric
Christopher Sakhile
Mkhize, Group CEO, Santa Monica Group
Kweku Awotwi
Co-Founder & Non-Executive Director, Cenpower Generation Company
Ahmed Mulla
Deputy CEO, Infinity Power
Lulu Molemong
Associate Principal, Energy Finance, Nedbank CIB
George Njenga
Executive Chairman, Lake Turkana Wind Power
Jan Martin Witte
COO – Asset Management, Cygnum Capital
John Kirlin
CCO, Sunbridge Power
Danna Mhango
Business Development Manager, Globeleq
Shalin Ledwaba
Head of Talent Acquisition, Bowmans
Norman Moyo
CEO, Grid Africa
Seithati Bolipombo
CCO, Mulilo
Marius Harmse
Country Manager of South Africa, Tecloman
Heath Andersen
Data Centre Consultant, DCDesign.Africa
Bryce Allan
Head of Sustainability, Teraco
Cynthia Kankind
Legal Counsel, African Legal Support Facility
Jolene Shaw
General Manager, Knowledge Pele
Bongani Makhubo
Senior Strategy and Impact Manager, Knowledge Pele
Phathutshedzo Mushanganyisi
Programmes Implementation Lead, Knowledge Pele
Melissa Wilkinson
Chief People Officer, Pele Energy Group
Obbie Banda
Senior Underwriter & RLSF Coordinator, ATIDI
Frank Spencer
Regional Director, Southern Africa, Cainmani
Beatrice Nyabira
Partner- Projects, Energy and Restructuring, DLA Piper Africa, Kenya
David Arinze
Program Officer, Off Grid Energy, Diamond Development Initiatives
Mokgabo Tshenkeng
Investment Advisor, Autonomi Capital
Omaira Jajbhay
Electrical Engineer ZUTARI
Ammaara Ebrahim
Associate: Energy Finance, Nedbank CIB
Mpho Phasha
Associate: Energy Finance, Nedbank CIB
Priya Surendra
Executive Head: Human Resources, Nedbank CIB
Latifa Zandamela
Attorney at Law, SAL & Caldeira Advogados, Lda. (A member of DLA Piper Africa)
Adekoyejo Kuye
Managing Director, KAMIM Technologies
Nonjabulo Sokhela
CEO, Nepoworx
Zvikomborero Garahwa
Head of Engineering, Matla Energy
Ayodeji Stephen
Lead Consultant, HydroGEM Energy Advisory
Fakazile Thusi
Project Developer, Voltalia
Andrea Bertello
Director Country Engagement & Partnerships, RELP
Michelle Govender
Founder, Octarity
Wendy Green
Country Head of South Africa, Daystar Power Group
Johannes Enkono
Founder & CEO, Johannes Power Technology
Katleho Mojakisane
Sustainable Futures Coordinator, Tangelic
Iranga Mukendi
Investment Manager, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM)
Thuthukani Nduduzo Biyela
Managing Director Siphulathuthu Engineering, CIGRE D2 Strategic Advisory Group (SAG)
Ebrahim Makda
Corporate Finance Principal, Thebe Investment Corporation
Richard Doyle
Managing Director, JUWI
Lerato Mashiloane
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner Africa, Siemens Energy
Mohamed Ismail Mansour
Co-Founder & Chairman, Infinity Power
Amyn Mussa
Partner, Anjarwalla & Khanna LLP
Nicol Chaminama
ESG & Sustainability Lead, Veers Group
Shaun Githuku
Director, Gridworks
Christiane Kragh
Founder & CEO, Off-Grid Europe
Stephen McNeill
Co-founder & Partner, Nopal
Matthew le Cordeur
Research manager: Just Energy Transition, Krutham
Matthew Cruise
Business Development Executive, Impower
Celiwe Mabaso
Head of Sustainability, NOA
Thulani Ncube
Head of Energy & Service Delivery, Africa Data Centres
Candice Oliver
Country Head of HR, Africa, Wärtsilä Energy
Charlotte Higgins
Associate Director, Arup
Andrew Taylor
CEO Of Trading, NOA
Laura Spector
Country Manager, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
Sonia Keulder
Associate Director, Synergy Consulting
Hannah Muthoni Gichuki
Founder, Hannathon Ecodesign and Energy
Bongeka Gumede
Grants and Project Manager, Vittoria Technology
Cynthia Ngoma
Managing Director, Eco Equilibrium
Mekides Minlike
Co-founder & CEO, Ablenee Energy Solutions
Micheala De Klerk
Mechanical (Rotating Equipment) & Welding Engineer, Siemens Energy
Mekdes Mezgebu
Co-founder & CEO, Mekdes & Associates Law Office
Delton Muianga
Political Economist, Independent Researcher
Thabo Molekoa
Chairman and Managing Director of Southern and Eastern Africa, Siemens Energy
Derick Dimala
HR Regional Lead for Africa, IFC
Candice van der Ventel
Investment Officer,, Energy (Eastern & Southern Africa), FMO
Rhoda Limbani Mshana
Chief Energy Sector Regulations Specialist, AfDB
Caroline Makenzi
Principal Program Coordinator – Energy and Climate, AfDB
Lucy Chege
Associate Executive, Project & Infrastructure Finance Department, Lending Operations, TDB (Trade & Development Bank)
Timothy Chisale
CFO, Carbon reduction technologies (CRT)
Tshifhiwa Bernard Magoro
Previous Head of IPPO, South Africa (2020-2025)
Ipeleng Mokgadinyane
Energy Sector Specialist, Tetra Tech
Busisiwe Zindela
Skills Specialist, Corporate Relations, Anglo American
Ravi Naidoo
CEO, Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa
Renita Reddy
Learning Manager, Rand Merchant Bank
Zoisa North-Bond
CEO, Octopus Energy Generation
Jordan Thomas
CEO & Founder, Atlantic Energy Technologies (AET)
Gabriel van Wyk
Senior Geospatial Data Scientist, Vida
Nadine Elizabeth Musangu
Project Manager, Energy Efficiency, City of Cape Town, Sustainable Energy Markets Department
Chinwe Udo-Davis
Co-Founder & CEO, Instollar
Nchimunya Erlank-Hamukoma
Manager, Demand Jobs and Livelihood, GEAPP
Andrew Herscowitz
Chief Executive Officer Mission 300, (M300) Accelerator, RF Catalytic Capital
Lorenzo Vilona
Southern Africa Specialist, Res4Africa Foundation
Eng. Nayer Fouad
CEO, Infinity Power
Eng. Ashish Ranjan
CTO, Infinity Power
Niroshma Chetty
CEO,, Avon and Dedisa Peaking Power
Zandi Nkone
CEO, Kathu Solar Park
Chloé Bombole
Senior Investment Analyst, Africa50 IAF
Megan Taylor
Founder, Skylight Strategic Partners
Phoebe Sullivan
Senior Adviser, Skylight Strategic Partners
Shahil Juggernath
Senior Business Developer, ENGIE
Eric Khumalo
Business Developer, ENGIE
Vivian Olloh
Vice President, Corporate Finance, Genesis Energy
Vincent Maposa
CEO, Wetility Energy
Larissa Ventner
CEO, Zero Carbon Holdings
Michelle Okoyomo
Vice President, Client Coverage, Genesis Energy
Mohan Vivekanandan
Chairman, Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG)
Jack Mwangi
Transaction Advisor, Advance Consulting
Itago Winnie
Business Consultant, Advance Consulting
Angus Dutton
Manager, Impact Markets, VIDA
Heskin Mzungu
Client Director, Energy Africa, Zutari
Diane Myers
Head of Talent Management, Zutari
Mercy Chigoma
Head Talent Acquisition, Zutari
Suzie Nkosi
Emerging Talent Consultant, Zutari
Angy Motsisi
Senior Acquisition Talent Consultant, Zutari
Craig Atkinson
Innovations Director Founder,, Green Riders
Kamryn Smith
Senior Stakeholder Manager, Zero Carbon Charge
Tuliikeni Ndadi
Investment Associate, Climate Fund Managers
Seten Naidoo
Director,, Africa Mining & Metals Group (AMMG)
Michael Jordan
Chief Executive, Banneker Capital
Jacques de Vos
CEO, Mezzanine
Venessa Oger
Programme Manager, Youth Development and Employment, Standard Bank
Sharon Mashishi
Director, Bahlaping Mash Trading & Projects
YES! Alumni – Walk with Me Programme (Featuring YES! Alumni who have made great strides in the past year through YES!):
Thuso Xola Kuali
MBA Student, IESE
Madalitso Chimpeni
Co-Founder, Mpepu Energy, Malawi represented by Steven Malenia
Matsepiso Majoro
Co-Founder/Managing Director, Mahlaseli Energy, Lesotho
Jane Nakasamu
Co-Founder, Greenbelt Energy, Zambia
Imo-Obong Utoh
Minigrids Business Development Officer, ENGIE Energy Access (Africa), Nigeria
Rebecca Agadumo
Assistant Project Manager, UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Program (GCIP), Nigeria
Emmanuel Terwase
Founder & CEO, Boost Power
Noella Molefe
Senior Specialist- Climate Change & Air Quality, Exxaro Resources
YES! Members Who are Now developing in the Sector:
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 & CEO, Green Energy Mission Africa
Lucy Mutuku
CEO, National Youth Caucus Kenya
Atiku Jafar
Partner & Energy and Infrastructure Lawyer, Bowyard Partners
YES! 2025 Grant Winners:
Nancy Wangari
Project Engineer, CSI Energy Group
Sheila Wambui Wairimu
Youth Energy Advocate, Kenyatta University
Isshack Mutalla Mohammed
Local Pathways Fellow 2025, Sustainable Development Solutions Network
Ongor Ouma Kennedy
Co-founder, SmartMicrogrid Africa
Garda Rosemary
Building Services Engineer, Prodesign Engineering Consultants
Melanie Wamalwa
Co-Founder, Sustainergy Solutions
Elisha Jones Nsojo,
Chairperson- IET Student Chapter, IET