PRESENTING THE . . .
A TEAM!

A highly regarded energy leader, Armando Abacar has a Master’s degree in Energy Technology and broad exposure to the Mozambican and Southern Africa energy sectors. He is experienced in power generation and transmission projects, off-grid stand-alone solar systems, solar mini-grids, and solar water pumping systems. He has experience in energy sector policy dialogue with the Government of Mozambique and other stakeholders, including development partners, NGOs, and the private sector. His accomplishments include initiating and leading the policy dialogue that led to the revision of Mozambique’s electricity law and supporting reform and modernization at EDM. He also led the technical assistance for the establishment and standing up of the National Energy Regulatory Authority. 

A sought-after expert on renewable energy for rural electrification of developing countries, Gwendolyn Andersen brings more than 30 years of experience implementing energy and power sector projects in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. She has an MBA and is experienced in renewable energy from solar home systems to mini-grids to utility scale projects. She has worked on innovative business models, such as a project helping companies provide solar home services for refugees in Uganda, community-based wind power in rural Pennsylvania, an industrial park as anchor client in Haiti, and franchising mini-grids in Nigeria and Uganda. 

An expert in legal and policy frameworks, regulatory compliance, market analysis, and financing for extractive and power projects, Carl Mbeng worked with international donors, government agencies, and the private sector as a Power Africa Transaction Advisor to accelerate clean energy adoption and improve energy access in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Carl has advanced degrees in taxation and law from the University of Douala and certificates in finance and PMP. 

Expert in identifying and managing energy access projects, specializing in mini-grid project design and implementation. Experienced in reverse auctions, competitive procurement models, productive use of energy, and investment mobilization. Lais Lona led the design, procurement, and roll-out of over $1M in mini-grid contracts electrifying refugee settlements in Northern Uganda, benefitting over 20,000 people. Lais worked with the Government of Tanzania and the Rural Energy Agency to strengthen the regulatory environment and co-financing opportunities and with donor facilities including the World Bank Tanzania Rural Electrification Expansion Program (TREEP) and Bank of Africa/Agence Française de Développement (AFD) renewable energy facility to support mini-grid development.

Austin Onele is a finance and infrastructure specialist with deep expertise in project finance, financial modeling, and transaction advice, delivering investor-grade structuring support across Nigeria’s power, gas, transport, and agriculture sectors. He helped structure and support capital raises and commercial frameworks for over $100 million worth of investment transactions. As Transaction Advisor for Power Africa Nigeria (USAID – 2024), Mr. Onele led the development of a comprehensive financial model and business plan for a 20 MW solar PV project, forming part of a developer’s broader 300 MW renewable platform. His gas projects include the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Program. Mr. Onele developed bespoke financial tools for institutions such as the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission to prioritise hydropower projects and reviewed complex power purchase agreements and distribution company financials (e.g. Ikeja Electric and Kaduna electricity distribution companies) to support financing decisions. 

Jusu Wendell Holmes is an accomplished Infrastructure Engineer with over 17 years of proven success delivering high-value projects from concept to completion. He specialises in engineering design and supervision, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and environmental health and safety, consistently driving results that meet technical standards, budget targets, and deadlines.

In his recent role as Infrastructure Team Lead at USAID Mission in Liberia, Jusu directed a multi-million-dollar infrastructure portfolio spanning healthcare, education, energy, water, and transportation. He led project planning, design oversight, quality assurance, and execution, ensuring timely delivery and cost efficiency while aligning with strategic development goals.

Jusu has a strong track record of attracting and managing blended financing from public and private sectors to advance transformative initiatives in the buildings, energy, roads, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectors. His leadership has produced infrastructure that improves livelihoods and strengthens economic growth and investor confidence.

An active member of the Engineering Society of Liberia (ESOL) and an affiliate of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Jusu is committed to advancing engineering excellence and building partnerships that create lasting impact.

Dr. Francis Kangure is a distinguished authority in the field of Human Resources, bringing over fifteen years of exemplary expertise in human resource strategy, corporate leadership and governance, organisational development, communications, and information technology. Francis is currently serving as an adjunct Postdoctoral Researcher at Strathmore Business School, where he leads advanced research on emergent trends in workforce management, organisational development, and sustainability. He is also an independent consultant dedicated to advancing the future of work and spearheading the digital transformation of human resource practices.

Previously Francis was Director of Cross-Cutting Units under the USAID-funded Power Africa Programme, overseeing a portfolio of USD 89 million across 10 countries in Eastern and Central Africa. Collaborated with 13 private sector companies and multiple government ministries to enhance energy access, targeting 11 million people. Lead the strategy development and implementation for five cross-cutting units: Organisational Development, Training, Communications, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL), Gender, and Community & Stakeholder Engagement. Key responsibilities included policy development, capacity building for governments and partners, research and dissemination of policy findings, budget and human resource management, leadership, and governance, and ensuring compliance with donor regulations.

Renowned for his scholarship and thought leadership, Dr. Kangure is recognised as a leading expert on future job skills, green jobs, the green economy, and sustainability frameworks. His commitment to the advancement of the Human Resources sector is further demonstrated through his mentorship with PicoCareer, an international mentorship initiative based in the United States, committed to empowering the next generation of professionals through meaningful guidance.

Dr. Kangure’s outstanding contributions to the profession have been widely acknowledged. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious IHRM Innovation Award for Groundbreaking Research on Green Jobs and Sustainability (2024), the HR Director of the Year Award (2022), and the Independent Research & Development Award (2021) from RTI International, recognising his pioneering research on sustainable green jobs in Kenya. He is presently pursuing a year-long professional certification training program in applied Artificial Intelligence.

Dr. Jeffrey Kenneth Baiden is the Regional Technical Advisor for Sub-Saharan Africa at DC L’Afrique Limited, where he leads transaction advisory for clean energy and climate finance projects across the continent. With more than 15 years of experience as a project finance specialist and energy economist, Dr. Baiden has structured and raised capital for numerous renewable energy, waste-to-energy, and climate adaptation projects in over a dozen African countries, enhancing the financial viability and bankability of initiatives from early-stage development through to financial close.

His expertise spans deal structuring, financial modelling, capital raising, and electricity market design, supporting governments, development agencies, and private sector clients. Dr. Baiden has been instrumental in sector reform modelling, macroeconomic analysis, and policy advisory for national and regional energy programs, working closely with organizations such as the World Bank, IMF, and USAID. He is recognised for his ability to bridge technical, financial, and regulatory domains to deliver innovative, impact-driven solutions for Africa’s energy transition.

Dr. Tchouate is a senior energy practitioner and researcher with 30 years’ experience covering sustainable power generation and supply, renewable energy, energy access, energy transition, energy planning, institutional strengthening and capacity building, energy policy and regulations, power generation, transmission and distribution, climate change mitigation, CO2 balance, climate financing, biomass energy, poly-generation, clean energy, and clean cooking. Throughout his career across Africa, Mongolia, Europe, and Southern America, he drafted, reviewed or led to validation of more than 70 energy policies and regulations, fostering a conducive environment to private sector investments to scale clean energy generation and rural energy access, including mini-grid regulations, grid code, distribution grid codes, mini-grid codes, standards, fiscal regulations and financing mechanisms for renewable energy and energy efficiency, independent power generation, contributed to discussions on energy master plans or strategies (Kenya, Ethiopia, Liberia, Somalia, Somaliland, Uganda, Cote d’Ivoire), electricity codes (Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana), regional power markets (CAPP, ERERA, WAPP), to nascent topics such as wheeling tariffs to attract independent power transmission companies. He has strong negotiation skills especially on facilitation of public private dialogs, enhancement of partnerships among private energy companies, enhancement of partnership among development partners at regional/national level, and facilitation of dialog between governments and development partners to align views on energy sector development. He has experience in supporting private companies in feasibility studies and financial analysis of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, on financing options including public private partnership and third-party financing as well as in identifying and addressing associated regulatory gaps and has developed a concept to energise mining infrastructure, businesses and population living in mining areas. He has worked on several European Union and USAID funded projects, accomplished several short term assignments funded by other donors (UNIDO, World Bank, UNDP, AFD, AfDB) and entertained high level contacts with major energy organisations (AFUR, ASEA, ERERA, RAERESA, ECREEE, EAC, COMESA, Africa Union Commission), ministries, utilities, education/research centers, national/regional regulatory authorities and industry associations in about 30 African countries. He holds a Master in Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Energy engineering, Energy Economics and Environment. 

Fredrick is a seasoned renewable energy expert with over 18 years of experience designing and leading sustainable energy initiatives across Eastern Africa. His work has spanned government advisory, policy reform, off-grid electrification, and regional power integration, supporting clean energy access for underserved populations and advancing low-carbon development. He has held senior roles with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UN-Habitat, where he has led multi-country programs under Power Africa, collaborated with regional institutions like the Eastern Africa Power Pool and the East African Community, and developed innovative solutions for youth empowerment and urban energy access.

Fredrick is deeply committed to building resilient and inclusive energy systems that drive green economic growth and enhance energy security. This experience means that Fredrick has established strong professional working relations with the leaderships of energy sector state-owned enterprises, regulators and ministries as well as regional governmental organisations and private sector players. Fredrick is a skilled communicator and technical writer.

Dr. Stacy Crevello has over 25 years of field experience across the globe, specializing in natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, critical minerals, social and environmental governance (ESG), climate and food security. Stacy was serving as the USAID Senior Environment Advisor for Africa Trade and Investment, providing oversight and implementation of ESG natural resource management technical assistance and oversight to increase exports for 250+ private sector partners across Africa. 

An expert on impact investing with a special focus on energy and infrastructure, for the past few years Nicholas Cipponeri has been leading a team focused on improving the regulatory regime and access in the energy sector in francophone Central Africa. He has over 15 years of experience in international development, finance, and multifamily real estate transactions. Nick holds an MBA from Boston University Questrom School of Business and a B.S. in History from Truman State University. 

A contracts and pricing specialist with more than twenty years of experience in federal contracts administration and operational and management support of international development programs, Laura Slattery is highly experienced in developing competitive cost proposals for all contract types (Cost Reimbursable, Firm Fixed Price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity, and Time & Materials) in response to specific solicitation requirements from varied clients. She has a comprehensive background in contract negotiation and management, including preparing, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, subcontracts, grants, subawards, purchase orders, and consulting agreements, ensuring compliance with client regulations and contractual terms.

With over 20 years in consulting Roxanne is an accomplished international engineer with a robust finance background, specializing in resolving complex issues within the energy and infrastructure sectors across both emerging and established markets. She excels at identifying critical client issues through red flag analysis and due diligence, tackling challenges, and offering innovative solutions by leveraging data and diverse insights. Roxanne is adept at articulating solutions to a wide range of stakeholders, including governmental bodies, civil society, and investors, ensuring alignment and successful implementation of high-profile, high-value projects.

Her notable experience includes serving as USAID's senior energy advisor in Kosovo, where she successfully led the restructuring of the country's energy sector including policy and regulatory reform. This initiative resulted in the privatization of the electricity distribution supply company, underpinning the financial viability of the generation.  In the Republic of Guinea, she worked on a bauxite mining project which included a refinery, rail and port facilities, and a refinery project in Djibouti. Roxanne supported the non-profit program LEAD, partially funded by the Shell Foundation, to promote green energy through youth training and the creation of a network to share lessons learned in Sub-Saharan Africa. Roxanne is familiar with African programs aimed at supporting economic growth through major project development including: mining, refining, energy and related infrastructure. In the Republic of Guinea she worked on a bauxite mining project which included a refinery, rail and port facilities and a refinery project in Djibouti. 

Azra Krasniqi has over 17 years of experience in capacity building and monitoring and evaluation in the energy and infrastructure sectors and has worked on projects funded by the European Commission, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and USAID. Ms. Krasniqi oversaw and harmonised the work of state administrative bodies and other institutions involved in the European Integration process. Her policy and strategic contributions contributed to improving the enabling environment of Kosovo and integrating the country into the European Union electricity market. This includes joint electricity market agreements with Albania and the Single Project Pipeline for infrastructural investment projects. She coordinated bilateral foreign assistance resulting in funding for energy efficiency measures in public buildings, electricity transmission, and cogeneration of heat and power. These projects have improved the Pristina district heating supply, supplied power through reduced technical losses, reduced power outages due to improved network security, and increased transmission capacity. Ms. Krasniqi established the communication office and set up the intra communication system in the Kosovo Energy Corporation, the state-owned utility. She developed and implemented public campaigns such as campaigns to increase electricity payments and reduce electricity theft.

Lillian Young is a graduate of Christopher Newport University, BA in Environmental Studies. Ms. Young is researching how critical mineral mines in Africa are contributing to the electrification of communities near them.