African Women for the Energy Transition

By Eyo Nsima

With the aim to accelerate the dialogue on energy transition and especially encourage female inclusion in Nigeria, the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office financed by the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), with the partnership between Women in Green Hydrogen Network and the African Energy Chamber held the Networking Brunch on African Women for the Energy Transition on Friday, 24th June 2022.

According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the energy transition is a pathway toward transformation of the global energy sector from fossil to low carbon fuels by the second half of this century. It has been identified that green hydrogen which requires renewable energy would prompt African countries in the emerging global hydrogen market especially to Europe in
the near decades.

For the transition to be successful, reports have shown that over 18 million jobs must be created – and to ensure sustainability and inclusion. Over 50 % of the global population are females, but only 32 % of women are working in the renewable energy sector according to data provided by the Women in Green Hydrogen.
The inaugural Networking Brunch welcomed a diverse range of representatives in the renewable energy sector including women in early-mid level, businesswomen and energy sector female veterans. These shared their insights on the energy transition and challenges faced as well as business opportunities. A goodwill message was shared by Ruchi SONI, Programme Manager at SEforALL who leads the initiative on Results-based Financing and Universal Energy Facility.

The keynote speaker for the event, Dr Rita OKOROAFOR, a former principal reservoir engineer and currently at Stanford University, introduced the hydrogen processes and emphasized, that “diversity improves the bottom line… there’s no just transition where we do not include the voice of women”. She strongly urged African women to take hold of opportunities in academia, while understanding the business and commercial activities of the global energy transition.

The event was graced by two all-women panels; the first session addressed energy security and Nigeria’s preparedness for it. Grace ORIFE, CEO of Adelaar Energy shared insights on the commercial impact of the acclaimed Decade of Gas and necessary financing for the energy transition, Rosario OSOBASE, Head – Commercial, Tenaris Nigeria dived into the complexities
of exporting and how Nigeria can identify global strengths. The Head of the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office; Gina LAGUNES poised why this was an adequate time for Nigeria as a fossil fuel exporting country to explore green hydrogen in a sustainable manner ahead of global energy security.

The session was moderated by Sharon KABURUK, Advisor, Capacity Development & Private Sector Collaboration at the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) – a technical assistance program co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power. As with the necessity to create jobs ahead of the energy transition; the second session addressed the businesses and opportunities. At the panel Sandra CHUKWUDOZIE, CEO of Salpha Energy, recently announced as Forbes Africa 30Under-30 trailblazers for 2022, described her work as a mission towards ending energy poverty. Also represented at the panel was a Lawyer and Partner at ENR Advisory, Jumoke FAJEMIROKUN who has handled complex commercial transactions within the energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors.

The last panelist was Jocelyn NWAOKENNEYA, CFO, Ladol. She reflected on the logistic, cargo, and freight transportation and the diverse prospects for Nigeria to widen its borders. The panel was moderated by Zafirah SULAIMAN, Advisor, Enabling Environment for RE and EE investment at NESP.
Following the successful conclusion of the first Networking Brunch, the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office will continue through various capacity-building engagements towards highlighting the need for diversity and inclusion in dialogues on green hydrogen toward a low carbon future.