Authored by Nashwa Naushad, Energy Access Officer, SEforALL
With contributions from Louis Tavernier and Ngozi Beckley-Lines, SEforALL, Noah Ochima, Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) and Paul Safar, Health and Energy Platform of Action

Think of healthcare electrification like a grandfather clock.

The most visible parts - the swinging pendulum, the stately weights, the ornate clock face - are seemingly the most important ones. These are the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, batteries and financing models — essential, high-impact and tangible.

But what keeps the clock running beyond these prominent pieces, are the many smaller gears which are out of sight. In the world of healthcare electrification, these less visible elements are data systems, coordination and knowledge-sharing. Without these ‘gears’ moving in sync with each other, the whole system is at risk of failing, no matter how shiny the pendulum - or the panels - are.

Gear #1: Data

High-quality data is critical for informed decision-making about energy system sizing, technology selection, business models and prioritization of facilities, yet such data often becomes guesswork.

Country-level market assessments carried out by Sustainable for All (SEforALL), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and other partners reveal that even the most basic information about the number, location and energy needs of health facilities to be electrified is generally unavailable, sparse or outdated. There is little data about the quality and reliability of electricity supply. Where data is available, it is collected by different authorities and organizations with no coordinate planning, leaving data scattered across multiple agencies.

Gear #2: Coordination

This brings us to the second gear – coordination. The task of powering health facilities straddles at least two sectors – health and energy.  The health ministry understands healthcare needs and service delivery priorities while the energy ministry brings the technical expertise and infrastructure planning. Often, a third, fourth or even a fifth ministry is involved such as infrastructure, public works and/or rural development. In many countries, there is another dimension of decentralization with similar governance structures at the state or province level.  Yet cross-sector coordination is mostly found lacking at all levels, especially regarding data, choice of locations for interventions, maintenance of installed infrastructure and investments.

Add to this mix development partners, donors, civil society and private sector players, and the risk of fragmentation increases. Without clear coordination, stakeholders may duplicate efforts – conducting parallel needs assessments, designing overlapping system models or testing similar technologies and business models in isolation.

This is true even at a global scale. Healthcare electrification sits at the nexus of climate action, health justice, and sustainable energy and development. No single actor can solve this challenge alone.

Gear #3: Knowledge-sharing

And that makes knowledge-sharing an extremely significant gear. To achieve universal healthcare electrification by the end of this decade – and ensure that these energy systems remain functioning for decades to come – we must learn from each other.

It is an important step to avoid reinventing the wheel. It means comparing notes on technologies, business models and service delivery innovations. It means making space for both public and private sector actors to contribute meaningfully – while respecting the need for competitive advantage, we can still share high-level lessons and scalable insights.

Keeping the clock chiming – leading by example

The sector is already beginning to embrace these three vital gears. Mechanisms are emerging nationally and globally, to integrate data, coordination and knowledge-sharing more intentionally. Here are some best practices:

Sierra Leone’s Mini-Grids Accelerators Committee

Under the leadership of Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security in Sierra Leone, the Mini-Grids Accelerators Committee was established as a critical measure to collectively tackle key issues in the mini-grid sector. Dr. Yumkella and the Deputy Ministers of Energy convene this committee every week, bringing together ministries of health, energy, education and agriculture, development partners (SEforALL, UNICEF, UNOPS, FCDO, GIZ, the World Bank, etc.), mini-grid operators and financiers. It has fostered new modes of collaboration - from live feedback loops via WhatsApp to formal MoUs between the government and developers.

The group focuses on mini-grids powering health centres, schools, and agricultural communities – typically in the 200 kilowatt to 1 Megawatt range. The platform facilitates joint problem-solving on issues like tariff reform, rising operational costs, operations and maintenance models, and solar power project coordination across the health sector including the Sierra Leone Healthcare Electrification project.

“For one year now, we have had a working group for small-scale electrification that empowers health services, schools and also agricultural communities. We meet every week and we're sharing information. The other donors and international partners are also there. Just sharing information has an advantage. We are pooling resources. We are pooling knowledge systems.”
Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman, Presidenial Initiative for Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Sierra Leone

Uganda Electricity Access Scaleup Project (EASP)

The Uganda Electricity Access Scaleup Project (EASP) follows a multi-stakeholder model for public institution electrification. Under this project, the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), and the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE), are leading the electrification programme in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC), and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) for institutions in refugee-hosting districts.

To promote sustainability, UECCC will offer grants of up to 70 per cent of capital costs to energy service companies (ESCOs). The collaboration extends beyond funding – it includes joint site selection, data sharing and planning, procurement guidance and exchange of technical expertise.  

This partnership has led to the development of the Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model supported by the World Bank through Verasol and CLASP. Around 700 schools and health centres are set to benefit, with work commencing shortly in 45 schools under 10-year contracts. Notably, the Ministry of Health is incorporating lessons learned from the MoES to refine its own processes – a strong example of cross-sector learning.

“The Energy as a Service (EaaS) model is an innovative approach to the sustainable electrification of public institutions, developed through close collaboration among technical and policy experts from the ministries of Health, Education, Energy, and UECCC, with support from the World Bank. UECCC will also provide a grant to lower the cost of capital for ESCOs. The teams are continuously coordinating to create tender documents that best reflect the interests of the government and the ESCOs, ensuring the long-term provision of electricity in the selected schools and health centres.”
Noah Ochima, Program Manager, Public Institutions, Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP), Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC)

Health and Energy Platform of Action

The Health and Energy Platform of Action (HEPA), hosted by WHO, was established in 2019, and is convened by WHO, UNDP, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the World Bank, with strong support from IRENA. HEPA’s mission is to strengthen collaboration between the health and energy sectors to ensure universal access to clean and sustainable energy to protect the health of the most vulnerable populations.

HEPA was established to address two of the most pressing development challenges – household air pollution from polluting cooking practices and the lack of electricity in health-care facilities. With members from across different sectors – including governments, UN agencies, academia, financing institutions and non-governmental organizations – HEPA is a key global platform for fostering collaboration between the energy and health sectors. The platform mobilizes political and financial commitments, supports national roadmaps and implementation plans, and drives integrated strategies that align health, energy, gender and climate agendas. 

“Ensuring universal access to clean and sustainable energy is not just an energy challenge—it is a health imperative. The Health and Energy Platform of Action plays a crucial role to foster collaboration between energy and health sectors, and to identify and implement solutions to protect the most vulnerable, strengthen health systems, and accelerate progress toward all Sustainable Development Goals. Only through bold, coordinated action across health, energy, climate, and development can we provide cleaner air, energy access, better environments and a healthier future for all.”
Heather Adair-Rohani, Unit Head, a.i., Air Quality, Energy and Health, WHO

Madagascar’s Health-Energy Working Group

In 2023, SEforALL established a working group in Madagascar to validate the data findings of the Powering Healthcare in Madagascar: Market Assessment and Roadmap for Health Facility Electrification report. The group included representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Decentralization, and development partners like UNICEF, the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and GIZ; private sector partners were also consulted.

Interministerial coordination improved greatly as a result, emphasizing the importance of sustaining the collaboration beyond the project completion. The group has since evolved into a long-term coordination platform for healthcare electrification. The World Bank, for instance, has convened the working group for consultations regarding the electrification of 1500 health facilities under their LEAD and DECIM projects. The working group now plays a key role in aligning national stakeholders and accelerating decision-making.

“As energy is a cross-cutting issue, good coordination between different sectors is essential. The multi-sector working group set up to draw up the roadmap [developed by SEforALL] is an excellent thing and will be continued. Thanks to all the partners and players working to improve the quality of care and electrification of healthcare facilities in Madagascar.”
Doctor RAMAROLAHY Rija, Director General, Healthcare Provision, Ministry of Public Health, Madagascar

Multilateral Compact for Health Facility Electrification

In 2021, during the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy, SEforALL and Power Africa convened several stakeholders to launch a Multilateral Energy Compact for Health Facility Electrification. This compact sets an ambitious target for organizations to contribute to, tracks progress in the sector and creates a platform for data-sharing. 

The compact aims to drive stakeholders to reach a collective ambition of electrifying 35,000 health facilities by 2026 accompanied by 30 national and sub-national assessments related to powering healthcare. Close to 11,000 facilities have been electrified so far by compact signatories. 

“To meet global healthcare needs, UNICEF has set a target to provide reliable electricity to 30,000 primary healthcare facilities by 2030. Raising such an investment will only be possible through strong coordination, advocacy, and partnerships. Therefore, UNICEF firmly supports the coordination platforms such as the Health Compact and the Health and Energy Platform for Action, which are crucial for information sharing and to have a joint action and fund mobilization plan.”
Michelle Seidel, Senior Immunization Advisor, UNICEF

The time to act is now

From Sierra Leone to Uganda to global initiatives like HEPA, we are seeing what becomes possible when the less visible gears work in harmony. The clock is now ticking for us to reach universal healthcare electrification by 2030. We must ensure stronger data systems, coordination and knowledge-sharing platforms to achieve this goal.

At a workshop in Marimauta Village, Zimbabwe, business is booming.

Local entrepreneurs drop by to commission bespoke machinery. A solar-powered maize processing machine serves farmers across the region. Young apprentices learn new technical and digital skills.

The scene contrasts sharply with 2019 when Cyclone Idai ripped through the area, tearing down power lines and shuttering businesses. For months, workshop owner Jacob Mukunukuji and his neighbors struggled with expensive, noisy diesel generators that could barely power basic tools, let alone the heavy-duty machinery that Jacob’s burgeoning business demanded.

"Having electricity is very important," Jacob, 31, says. "If I want to fabricate metal to any extent, I'm able to do it because there's plenty of electricity."

Of the 685 million people across the world who lack access to electricity, nearly 600 million live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Students are unable to study after nightfall. Businesses cannot thrive. And local and national economies falter for want of power to run businesses, create jobs, and grow.

At the same time, Africa has the world’s fastest growing, and youngest, population. More than 60% of people are under 25 years old. According to the UN’s Economic Council for Africa, the continent’s youth population is expected to grow by 138 million in the next 25 years.

This is both a huge challenge – and an opportunity. At the current rate of growth, Africa will not be able to create enough good, dignified jobs for its growing population. And with so many lacking access to both electricity, and to the finance, training and business support to accelerate its uptake, realizing the necessary economic growth will be hard.

Yet, with the right investment, Africa can unlock trillions in growth and become a key driver of global economic resilience and clean energy innovation. Africa’s abundant natural resources and renewable energy potential alone could create up to 100 million new and improved jobs and livelihoods by 2050.

With the right support, Africa’s energetic young workforce could help the continent leapfrog traditional fuels and power a bright, clean and prosperous future, becoming both the drivers and the beneficiaries of this transformation.

Access to electricity, paired with apprenticeships, technical training and finance, can empower them to grow businesses and fuel progress across multiple sectors from agriculture and manufacturing, to energy leadership and beyond. With clean, affordable, and stable energy, young people have more opportunities to further their education, build skills, start businesses, and help others progress.

Consider Hasmia Sidratu Bangura from Sierra Leone. After a clean energy traineeship program, this young engineering graduate became a field technician at a renewable energy company, sharing the skills she gained to power her country’s sustainable growth.

In Nigeria’s Kiguna Community, women fishers made use of innovative financing to obtain a solar-powered cold storage facility, reviving local commerce and bringing new life to their community. “Now our food doesn’t spoil, and we don’t need to sell it cheaply,” says fish trader and entrepreneur Blessing Bitrus.

In Kenya, John Masha Ngowa’s barbershop in Tezo operates well into the evening thanks to off-grid solar power.  

Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, Jacob’s workshop regularly hosts apprenticeships. Last year, four students earned certificates in welding and fabrication, opening doors to new careers.

Our five organizations – the World Bank and the African Development Bank, supported by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and The Rockefeller Foundation with its charitable offshoot, RF Catalytic Capital – are united to accelerate this growth.

Mission 300 is our bold initiative to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. By pooling resources, influence, and expertise and partnering with governments, businesses, and communities we are transforming energy markets, scaling finance, and helping governments set and deliver on national energy goals.

And we are committed to ensuring electricity access is paired with the right tools, finance, and training to upskill a dynamic young workforce and spark a ripple effect of innovation, entrepreneurship, and jobs.

The power line that reconnected Jacob and his community to electricity was funded by the African Development Bank.

The solar power and cold storage that transformed Blessing’s community was enabled by GEAPP and partners.

The training that allowed Hasmia to advance her clean energy career, was provided by SEforALL, equipping young energy professionals across Africa to lead sustainable energy development.

The mini-grids powering schools and businesses in rural Kenya were supported by the World Bank's Off Grid Solar Access Project bringing solar mini grids to power schools, health clinics, and homes – and benefitting 1.5 million people.

The task ahead is immense and critically urgent. As we gather at the Africa Energy Forum and Youth Energy Summit, we are proud to join youth voices to deliver this message to policymakers, investors and partners: Let’s accelerate energy access, alongside investment in talent and workforce development.

By investing in Africa’s youth, Mission 300 is ensuring that every new electricity connection is a stepping stone for jobs and growth, paving the way to Africa’s energy-rich and prosperous future.

Authors

Makena Ireri, Managing Director, Demand, Jobs and Livelihoods, GEAPP
Lolade Abiola, Programme Manager, ETO Nigeria, SEforALL
Wadzanayi Muchenje, Director, African Regional Office, The Rockefeller Foundation  
Johanna Christine Galan, Mission 300 Coordinator/ Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank
Caroline Makenzi, Principal Program Coordinator, Energy and Climate, African Development Bank

As we close out Earth Month, I want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible women who are holding the line and taking bold action to protect our planet. I speak not only as CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) but on behalf of the entire community of women at SEforALL who drive our mission forward each day.

At SEforALL, our commitment to an equitable, inclusive energy transition is reflected in our team composition: 53% of our staff are women and over 24% identify as Black African (compared to just 1% of all renewable energy workers globally). These figures underscore the progress that we have made and serve as a recognition that a diverse energy workforce drives better outcomes for people and the planet.

This April, we celebrated inspiring changemakers leading action to triple renewable energy production by 2030 and empower communities with affordable, clean energy. We have celebrated Camille André-Bataille and Dina Rajaobelina of ANKA, whose innovative energy solutions are transforming energy access in Africa and empowering women and youth entrepreneurs. We have recognized Nicki Becker, a youth climate activist who has grown a grassroots movement into a force of over 100,000 young people mobilized for sustainable change across Latin America. We have shined a spotlight on the work of Kanoatkhon Umurzokova, whose leadership in waste management and energy efficiency is accelerating progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Each of these leaders embodies the intersection of gender equality, innovation, and sustainability—and reminds us that women are not just participants but architects of our global clean energy future.

As we close “Earth Month 2025: Women Holding the Line & Taking Action to Protect the Earth,” I urge us all to never forget the vital role women play in the energy transition. Women are not just participants—they are innovators, leaders, and defenders of our planet. Let us continue to invest in women-led energy solutions, elevate women’s voices and ensure gender balance at decision-making tables, and commit to the collection of gender data.

This Earth Month has shown what is possible when women lead. Now, let us ensure that every day, everywhere, women’s leadership and expertise light the way to a sustainable future.

Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of working closely on the Clean Cooking Transition in Schools (CCTIS), a joint initiative between Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the World Food Programme (WFP)—while also contributing to SEforALL’s Powering Healthcare and Sustainable Cooling teams. As a Data and Learning Officer, my role centres on turning information into insights—helping our teams make evidence-based decisions that support sustainable energy access and transitions, particularly in underserved contexts.

As a woman working at the intersection of data science and sustainable energy, I often reflect on my journey into this space. It began over a decade ago when I started working in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness at Colorado State University. I was fortunate to be part of a team composed mostly of women—something still too rare in data and technical fields. Being surrounded by women confident in coding, analytics, and systems thinking helped me see this path as a real possibility for myself. That’s where I discovered my passion for data—learning Structured Query Language (SQL), navigating large datasets, and realizing how information could drive better outcomes.

Now, as I near the end of my sixth year at SEforALL, I’ve had the opportunity to grow not only as a data professional, but also as part of a mission-driven organization where I continue to be inspired by strong women’s leadership in the energy sector. In particular, our CEO, Damilola Ogunbiyi, has been a powerful example of bold, visionary leadership—her unwavering advocacy for universal energy access is a key motivating factor for me.

Building on that inspiration and following my recent completion of advanced training in Data Science, AI, and Machine Learning from MIT, I’m now applying my skills to CCTIS—a project that is both ambitious and urgently needed.

At its core, CCTIS supports the transition from polluting fuels to clean, electric cooking in schools—a shift that has significant implications not only for the environment, but also for health, particularly for school cooks,  predominantly women, and students, who are regularly exposed to harmful smoke from traditional cooking fuels like firewood. But such a transition is only possible when schools have the right enabling environment: reliable electricity access, safe and updated indoor kitchen infrastructure, appropriate electrical wiring, and institutional capacity to support the introduction of clean cooking technology, such as electric pressure cookers (EPCs).

In many of the contexts where we work, these are not small hurdles—they’re major structural challenges.

But when those barriers are overcome, we unlock the potential to build better schools—equipped not only with clean cooking solutions but also capable of adopting other critical appliances and systems, including sustainable cooling technologies like refrigerators, fans, and air conditioners that enhance health, nutrition, comfort, and learning outcomes.

What excites me most about this initiative is how we’re using data to help navigate and respond to these challenges. In our fieldwork in Tanzania, we’ve been collecting and analyzing data to better understand how this transition plays out in real school settings. One of the most important insights we’ve uncovered so far came from a linear regression analysis, which showed a statistically significant inverse relationship between the number of children in a school and the litres of food served per child.

In other words: the larger the school, the smaller the average serving size per student.

This finding may seem simple, but it carries powerful predictive capabilities. It helps us anticipate needs, tailor better solutions and to start with smarter planning from the outset. This kind of data helps us move beyond isolated pilots. It enables the design of systems that are realistic, scalable, and responsive to actual needs on the ground.

As I prepare to step away from my role for a while to go on maternity leave, I’ve been thinking more about the future—not just mine, but my son’s. The climate crisis is already reshaping the world he will inherit, and I want to be part of building a more sustainable one.

On the heels of World Health Day, I’ve also been reflecting on the life-saving role energy plays in healthcare. Giving birth soon has brought that into sharp focus for me. Hospitals need reliable, sustainable electricity to power essential equipment, support medical staff, and keep patients safe and comfortable. Yet, for millions of people, that kind of access is still out of reach. Reliable energy access powers healthcare—it enables dignity, safety, and a better future. Everyone deserves that.

That’s why this work matters so much to me. Because sustainable energy access isn’t just about kilowatts or hardware—it’s about powering healthcare, education, and livelihoods. It's about ensuring every person, everywhere, has the opportunity to live a dignified life on a healthy planet.

And that’s why inclusive transitions matter too. The clean energy sector needs more voices—more women, more representation, more lived experience guiding the way forward. I wouldn’t be in this role today without the women who showed me it was possible. I hope I can do the same for someone else.

For these reasons, I’m especially proud that both the CCTIS initiative in Tanzania and SEforALL’s Health Electrification Project in Sierra Leone include a STEM traineeship programme, designed to provide hands-on technical experience for young people—with a strong focus on empowering young women. Through these programmes, trainees receive practical instruction tailored to each context—from setting up, operating, and maintaining electric cooking systems in schools, to supporting the installation and maintenance of energy systems that power healthcare facilities. Each programme is paired with a broader curriculum aimed at strengthening technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and career readiness in the clean energy sector.

It’s about building local capacity—but also about creating space for young women to step into technical roles, lead energy transitions in their own communities, and see themselves in careers they may not have imagined before.

That's the kind of impact that transforms not just systems—but futures.

This Earth Month, SEforALL is spotlighting “Women Holding the Line & Taking Action to Protect the Earth,” including Camille André-Bataille, Dina Rajaobelina, Nicki Becker, and now, Kanoatkhon Umurzokova. 

SEforALL is pleased to celebrate this Earth Day, 22 April 2025, by recognizing the contributions of women to the energy, climate, and development sectors. This year’s Earth Day, themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ highlights the essential role of inclusive leadership and collective action in building a sustainable future. Around the world, women are at the forefront of advancing clean energy solutions, driving climate action, and fostering resilient communities. Their leadership is not only transforming the energy sector but also accelerating progress toward global sustainability and gender equality.

Today, SEforALL spotlights Kanoatkhon Umurzokova, an environmental specialist and entrepreneur from Central Asia. As the founder of Eco Mons Vita LLC, Kanoatkhon’s work exemplifies how women are innovating and empowering others in the circular economy and the waste and renewable energy fields. Her journey reflects the power of women’s leadership in shaping a just and sustainable future for all.

Introduction & Background

My name is Kanoatkhon Umurzokova. I am an environmental specialist and entrepreneur, and the founder of the engineering company Eco Mons Vita LLC. I hold an MSc in Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, one of the world’s top 10 ranking universities for Life Sciences. I have worked at the Green Climate Fund in South Korea and the European Food Safety Authority in Italy and contributed to the National Report of Uzbekistan to UNFCCC as a technical expert on greenhouse gas inventory. I am a fellow of the “Empowering Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy” program, led by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET).

Earth Day 2025: ‘Our Power, Our Planet’

Absolutely every one of us on our planet, as human being, is dependent on the living things around us. If even one heart near us stops beating or a tiny ecosystem is disturbed, we lose balance. We are dependent on the natural energy cycle. At Eco Mons Vita, we help to return the resources back to nature through restoring the circular cycle of waste generated. Our consultancy services include the selection of waste processing technologies, development of work plan for solid waste landfill, experimental research on accumulation and morphological composition of solid waste, and methodological support for training in energy-efficient buildings in Central Asia. 

Empowering Individuals & Communities through Eco Mons Vita

At Eco Mons Vita, we aim to nurture the social brand of private companies in the circularity chain. Therefore, we dedicate part of our projects to empowering companies and individuals in the waste sector. This helps them to improve the quality of their services and products. We have developed Waste Campus as a platform for capacity building that can be accessed here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/waste-campus. We have also developed AI bot named Dewi to ease our digital burden of teaching in remote regions.

In co-partnership with the Indonesian NGO GAWIREA and with the financial support from ifa (Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany), we have conducted an online training on selection and maintenance of solar panel systems, which enhanced confidence in using solar panel systems in remote and energy-deficient regions. Our AI bot, Dewi, has facilitated a free, self-paced vocational education program for more than 120 learners from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. Of the enrolled leaners, 47% were women.

Another training we are launching soon is for sanitary cleaning workers, within the framework of our "Empowering Workers in the Circular Economy" project. All interested employees of waste operating companies from Central Asia are welcome to join this training for free and remotely. Another component of the project is dedicated to empowering women in low-skilled jobs in waste sector by improving their career perspectives in this male-dominant sector. The project is made possible through the support of the U.S. Department of State and the US Embassy in Kazakhstan and has been selected for funding through the #TechCamp Central Asia competition.

The Role of Women in Advancing Energy, Climate, and Development Goals by 2030

I believe the future female leaders are among us and are already showing an impact. Last year, we hired interns for Waste Campus, where we also provide mentorship for. One of them was a girl in eighth grade. I was touched when I opened her CV; in her photo, she wore a big white school bow. Two interns, both studying medical sciences (including the one with hair bow), completed internship successfully. These experiences reaffirm my belief that we must create more opportunities to support youth.

I received such support when I joined the first cohort of OSCE-GWNET “Empowering Central Asian women in renewable energy” program. I became acquainted with women from Central Asia who are developing incredible projects in the region on climate finance, hydropower, and hydrogen. After two years, I was able to mentor in second cohort.

As part of the OSCE-GWNET program, we also featured women role models working in the energy sector across Central Asia. We featured one of few female founders of waste operating company in Uzbekistan. This is especially important considering that the waste management sector, like other male dominant sectors like construction and energy, is gender-divided. The limited representation of women, especially in leadership or engineering roles, is limiting the advancement of these sectors.

As we celebrate Earth Month 2025 “Women Holding the Line & Taking Action to Protect the Earth,” SEforALL is proud to spotlight women in the sector who are transforming the climate, energy, and development sectors, while advancing gender equality. We embrace the theme “Our Power, Our People," knowing that by uplifting women leaders, we pave the way for both a sustainable, inclusive future.

Today, we share the inspiring story of Nicki Becker—a passionate climate activist whose life-changing experience in 2019 ignited her commitment to environmental empowerment. Nicki has empowered communities across Argentina, mobilized thousands, and demonstrated that grassroots action can drive powerful change. Her work embodies the spirit of Earth Month and reaffirms our collective ability to shape a better future for our planet and our people.

Nicki Becker, Co-Founder, Jóvenes por el Clima

In 2019, a video about climate change shifted my entire perspective. Since then, I have dedicated myself to sparking the same shift in others. As a Co-Founder of Jóvenes por el Clima Argentina (JOCA), what began as a grassroots effort among four friends and has grown into a movement of more than 250 activists across 11 provinces. We have mobilized over 100,000 people, collected more than a million signatures to protect wetlands, advocated for key legislation like the Escazú Agreement, and trained over 22,000 students throughout the country in climate education.

Throughout my journey, I have discovered that my strongest tool is communication. I have worked to bridge the gap between science, policy, and daily life—especially for young people in Latin America, where vital climate information in Spanish remains scarce. Through radio, print, social media, and now as a columnist on CNN, I make it my mission to share stories that feel close, urgent, and empowering. I am currently producing a podcast in collaboration with Spotify and leading a TikTok-funded project that documents Argentina’s five key carbon sinks through storytelling and educational workshops.

My goal is always the same: to inspire others to care, to act, and to believe that they, too, can protect the planet—just like I once realised in when watching that video.

As we celebrate Earth Month 2025, SEforALL is excited to spotlight women leaders who are driving change in both the energy sector and gender equality. This Earth Month, let us celebrate the intersections of sustainability, innovation, and gender equality in the name of the theme ‘Our Power, Our People’. By empowering women in the clean energy sector, we not only pave the way for a more sustainable future but also for a more inclusive and resilient world.

Today, we share the journey and work of Camille Andre-Bataille, CEO & Co-Founder of ANKA, and a passionate advocate for sustainable energy and the empowerment of women and young people.

Background and Journey

I am Camille ANDRE-BATAILLE, a French entrepreneur based in Madagascar. My academic background is in fundamental sciences, renewable energy, sustainable development, and finance. I began my professional journey in Paris within the finance sector before transitioning to the clean energy field—a move that has defined my career ever since. In 2016, I founded ANKA, where I now serve as CEO.

Empowering Women Through Energy

Gender equality and the empowerment of women and young people are at the heart of my work. As a woman entrepreneur, I built ANKA with the desire to contribute to the fight for women's rights. With this commitment in mind, I am very proud that 65% of ANKA's management committee are women, and 40% of our employees are women. As for our impact outside the company, we champion the slogan, "Energy paves the way.” I am convinced that access to energy, through green mini-grids, can contribute to the emancipation of women and young people by powering their entrepreneurial ventures and complementary activities.

On an international scale, I frequently attend events and conferences around the world, using my voice to promote gender inclusion within the clean energy industry. This global engagement inspired the creation of the hashtag #EnergyQueen.

Highlighting an Impactful Initiative: The Agrigrid© Approach

While many ANKA projects have been impactful, the Agrigrid© approach stands out as a significant milestone in our efforts. This innovative agri-energy nexus business model is designed with a gender focus, aiming to boost rural economies, increase rural electricity consumption, and enhance the financial viability of mini-grid investments. On top of that, it empowers women by encouraging them to manage agri-processing units through women’s associations. I find it no coincidence that our approach won an ARE award in 2020, underscoring its success and transformative impact!

The Pressing Challenge: Public Policy and STEM Education

One of the most pressing challenges in encouraging women’s participation in the clean energy sector is rooted in public policy. Without proactive measures from governments—such as encouraging young girls to pursue advanced studies in STEM fields—the sector will continue to see a low representation of women in technical roles. The sector needs qualified women!

Advice for Aspiring Women in Sustainable Energy

For women who aspire to build a career in sustainable energy, my advice is simple: ask for help. There are too few women in the energy sector, and it is essential that we support one another. As women, we are often expected to deliver excellence at all times to be respected in the sector, and asking both women and men for help can make a significant difference. Yes, it takes courage, but the outcomes are undeniably rewarding.

By: Amida Adiatu Bangura

My name is Amida Adiatu Bangura, from Sierra Leone, and I am a former STEM Trainee in the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Traineeship Programme. I hold a BSc Hons in Civil Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. My career in the Science, Technology, Mathematics & Engineering (STEM) field is driven by my passion for innovation and a commitment to addressing today’s energy challenges. On this International Women’s Day, I celebrate the power and potential of women to transform the energy sector.

Transforming Lives through Sustainable Energy

Through the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) STEM Traineeship Programme, I have the unique opportunity to combine my engineering background with practical experience in sustainable energy solutions. Motived by a desire to enhance my technical skills, gain real-world experience, and contribute to universal access to sustainable energy, I was particularly drawn to the program’s focus on empowering women in STEM.

I was deeply inspired by the program’s goal to electrify healthcare facilities. In Sierra Leone, the unreliable grid system often leads to power outages, which can have dire consequences for hospitals, including preventable deaths. The opportunity to help implement sustainable energy solutions that ensure reliable power for critical healthcare services was a major motivator for my participation.

The SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme was a life-changing opportunity. It deepened my understanding of sustainable energy systems, enhanced my project management abilities, and improved my capacity to collaborate with professionals from diverse fields. I expanded my knowledge in distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar panels—which reduce reliance on the national grid and enhance energy security—as well as advancements in energy-efficient technologies. The hands-on workshops and training sessions have given me a wide variety of options to advance my career within the sustainable energy and climate sectors.

Enhancing Expertise for Empowerment

Our work as Trainees involved installing solar panels by ensuring they were free from shading and optimally oriented to capture sunlight. We conducted structural assessments to confirm roof integrity, mounted poles at calculated distances and depths for cable management, and installed inverters and batteries in secure, ventilated areas. The systems we worked on were configured to prioritize solar power, switch to battery storage during low sunlight, and use the grid only when necessary. Additionally, we integrated the solar system with existing setups using automatic transfer switches for a seamless transition between power sources.

Beyond technical skills, the program strengthened my leadership skills and self-confidence. The collaborative environment taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving field. Engaging with peers and experts has not only inspired me to voice my ideas but also provided a strong sense of community and direction.

Memorable Experiences: Lighting Up Healthcare

One of my most memorable experiences was traveling to Kailahun for a solar panel installation at the Kailahun Government Hospital. This was my first visit to Kailahun Town in Sierra Leone’s Eastern Province. Our work aimed to provide reliable electricity to a hospital isolated from the national grid. Witnessing the hospital staff and patients’ hopeful reactions after the initial phase of work was profoundly rewarding and reaffirmed my commitment to transforming lives through sustainable energy.

Another memorable experience occurred in February 2025 when I attended the Energizing Healthcare Conference, which was both motivating and enlightening. Experts, decision-makers, and practitioners gathered to discuss scalable solutions for ensuring sustainable energy access in healthcare facilities across Africa. Key discussions included the estimated $5 billion required to close the energy gap in healthcare, common challenges faced by African nations, and innovative financing strategies.

During my remarks at the conference, I highlighted my work as a STEM Trainee on the Healthcare Electrification Project in Sierra Leone. I discussed the technical aspects—network distribution, battery storage, and PV module installations—as well as the impactful outcomes that improved patient care. I also shared a personal story that drives my passion for this mission: the loss of a loved one due to a power outage at a government hospital.  This painful experience underscored the reality that most families face daily and the dire consequences of energy poverty in healthcare.

Women in STEM: The Future of Sustainable Energy

 My experience in the STEM Traineeship has empowered me to promote women’s participation in the STEM field. I am committed to advocating for and empower young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM, striving to achieve gender balance in the field.

To young people and women aspiring to enter the sustainable energy industry: never give up on your passion and have faith in your abilities. Sustainable energy is a field with opportunities for impact and innovation. Seek practical experience and networking opportunities—such as those offered by the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme—and surround yourself with peers and mentors who will challenge and encourage you.

Above all, never forget that your special viewpoint and talents are priceless for advancing sustainable energy.

On this International Women’s Day, let us honour the achievements of women in STEM and commit to a future where gender equality and sustainable innovation go hand in hand. Your passion, resilience, and creativity are vital for powering tomorrow.

Where did the year go? That’s what many practitioners we meet are saying.

This indicates how busy we’ve all been, working towards ensuring everyone, everywhere, can live a dignified life on a healthy planet, powered by sustainable energy.

2024 saw the revelation that we are backsliding when it comes to energy access targets, the SDG7 Tracking Reportshowed that for the first time in over a decade, electricity access was unable to keep up with population growth. Our SEforALL analysis also showed that apart from progress in a handful of countries, we are also backsliding in the provision of clean cooking technologies and fuels. If we are to achieve SDG7 by 2030, we must provide electricity access to 157,000,000 people per year; and increase clean cooking access by 334,000,000 people each year!

It is a herculean task, but not an insurmountable one.

This is why Mission 300, the ambitious initiative unveiled in April 2024 by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, working with SEforALL, the Global Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and The Rockefeller Foundation is so significant. It would halve the number of people living without electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa and meet the needs of 43% of those living without electricity globally. In addition, no progress happens in isolation, Mission 300 would help catalyse clean energy markets in countries with widespread energy poverty, offering price discovery gains, business models and delivery mechanisms at scale that can help accelerate progress far beyond the 300 million people that will be the direct beneficiaries of this effort.  

Another notable mechanism working towards solving the energy access challenge is the Energy Compacts, hosted by UN-Energy and championed by SEforALL, which have increased ambition towards SDG7. The total finance committed through the Energy Compacts has grown from USD 400 billion in 2021 to USD 1.4 trillion in 2024.    

By generating further leadership and investment, these Energy Compacts are set to drive substantial actions, including phasing out coal-fired power, decarbonizing energy systems, and promoting economic growth and job creation, thus contributing robustly to the global agenda of achieving the SDGs by 2030.    

So, what are we looking forward to in 2025?  

Global energy investment is projected to surpass USD 3 trillion in 2024, with USD 2 trillion allocated to clean energy technologies. We see 2025 being the year when renewable energy investments continue to far outpace new fossil fuel investments. At the same time, we foresee key players directing more investments into emerging and developing economies, suggesting a potential new trend.

Energy is at the heart of the climate challenge – and key to the solution. We saw in 2024, global temperatures hitting record highs and extreme weather events affecting people in all corners of the world. Considering this existential threat to our planet, 2025 must be the moment for the global community to double down on the efforts to reduce emissions and limit temperature rise.  

The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are national climate action plans, will take centre stage. The current NDCs limit the global temperature increase to between 2.4 to 2.6°C equating to a reduction of 5.3% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. However, according to the IPCC, a decrease of 43% is needed to limit temperature rise.  

Therefore, the NDC 3.0 process that will culminate in February 2025 – the deadline for countries to submit their updated NDCs – will be another major moment and we hope that there will be strong commitments and proactive responses to the 2023 global stocktake decision.

COP29 saw the reversal of hard-won gains as there was no agreement on phasing out of fossil fuels, and the new climate finance goal of USD 300 billion annually by 2035, is viewed as largely inadequate. COP30, hosted by Brazil, will be a major moment to recalibrate our collective fight against climate change. We are thrilled that the SEforALL Global Forum is one of the key milestone moments on the road to COP30, where global leaders and changemakers will look to secure even greater commitments for a just and equitable energy transition, combining learnings from the Bridgetown Initiative, with the people-centered approach driven by the Brazilian Presidency to further enable the advancement of clean energy solutions in underserved sectors and markets.  

Finally, there has been a growing trend of developing countries showing their leadership on the global stage, when it comes to issues on climate, development and energy. We do see this trend continuing in 2025 with these countries working towards improving access to energy for their people, while contributing to the global fight against climate change.  

There is a win-win potential that can be gained from collective action. The global community must continue to work with developing countries and provide the needed finance and technical assistance that can go well beyond supporting their economic development. With a growing number of youth, abundant renewable energy resources and increasing improvements in policies, these countries could provide a pathway for a more inclusive, green and prosperous world. That is our driving force and resolution for 2025!  

Healthy electricity grids, both long distance centralized grids and mini-grids, are critical for achieving sustainable energy for all. Countries have an opportunity to provide leadership on resilient and efficient electricity grids by committing to the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge, led by the COP29 Presidency. This pledge is an action that supports achieving country commitments pledged at COP28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency progress by 2030. 

Achieving the renewable energy capacity milestone alone will not be possible if the grids are not improved in parallel. Transmission and distribution networks, which are the backbone of power systems, are increasingly limiting the timely delivery of renewable energy and causing new renewable energy generation to wait for grid connection. Building resilient and efficient grid systems at speed is needed to expedite renewable energy deployments that can deliver on climate goals and country commitments to limit warming to near 1.5°C.

The need for resilient grid also stems from the sheer scale and pace necessary to achieve the tripling renewable energy capacity, which will increase global renewable energy capacity from 3,870 GW in 2023 [1] to reach at least 11,000 GW by 2030 or an average of more than 1,000 GW of renewable energy additions per year. This scale requires more than twice the record high 473 GW of renewable energy annual capacity additions in 2023, which was already a 60% increase from the 295 GW additions in 2022. 

Considering the remote nature of many renewable power projects, rapid development of grid infrastructure and transformation of the existing grids to accommodate higher capacity of fluctuating outputs from solar and wind projects are pre-requisite for achieving the pledge. Human settlements are also often remote, making it challenging to extend the centralized grid in a cost-effective manner and mini-grid expansions are needed to power remote communities particularly across Africa and island nations. 

Mini-grids can increase resiliency of centralized grids by modularizing disaster recovery when connected to larger grids and financial viability has improved through cost reduction of PV modules, inverters, batteries, inverters and smart meters.[2] However, recent renewable energy growth is quite uneven globally, [3] posing a significant risk to achieving global ambitions and risks making new inequality in terms of receiving clean energy benefits. To deliver sustainable energy to all people, renewable energy deployments and grid and mini-grid expansions are needed across all countries. 

Transmission network limitations to deliver renewable energy power and the inability of the existing distribution network to absorb rapidly growing distributed renewable projects are beginning to form a strong bottleneck in many places. Globally, there is already more than 3,000 GW of renewable energy capacity, waiting to be connected to the grid. [4] Overcoming grid bottlenecks require developing new grid infrastructure, modernizing the existing grids and changing the grid operation.

Grid operation is getting more complex. While electricity grids have historically dealt with unidirectional power flow from large power generators to consumers, renewable energy flows are often bi-directional and intermittent. Yet, planning for innovative technologies, digitalized grids, demand shifting, energy storage, neighboring grids interconnectors, and regional interconnectivity can ease handling of these complexities, expedite the transition and reduce overall investment. 

Investing in greater demand flexibility and energy efficiency will pave the way for quicker renewable energy uptake across geographies. Matching electricity demand with available renewable energy generation and reducing demand peaks, will reduce the overall cost of achieving net zero for all consumers while assuring energy security. 

With each challenge the common link is that resilient and efficient electricity grids will undoubtedly be the foundation and backbone of a decarbonized world. This need for efficient and resilient grids will require countries to once again join hands, at COP29, to pledge grid investment and expansion to deliver on the energy and climate goals.

Beyond coming together with a global commitment, the pledge must be supported with action on the ground. The very first action, by countries, is to assess the health of the grid in their respective geographies to plan where, when and how much is needed to build resilient a grid while using available resources wisely. More than USD 600 billion of annual investment is required to replace or add over 25 million kilometers of transmission and distribution grid worldwide by 2030. [5]

A grid pledge at COP29 can set a specific and time bound target for electricity grid development and investment, commensurate with the renewable energy capacity expansion goals, and encourage global collaboration and learning. Subsequently, countries can update their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals to enable actions consistent with the full set of country commitments. 

Enabling policies and regulations should incentivize modern grid technologies and services by lowering investment risks, updating technical standards, expediting permitting processes and creating incentives to lower the cost that enable innovation, efficiency and resilient grid networks and operations that accommodate more renewable energy. 

Investing in grid and mini-grid infrastructure will support countries in building a resilient energy future and will enable sustainable economic growth. Countries are likely to benefit from improved resilience against climate shocks disrupting power supply, enhanced energy security, and improved grid flexibility offering reliable access to clean and affordable power. Resilient and efficient grid networks are future proof, able to withstand and recover from shocks arising because of the extreme weather events and shifting electricity demand patterns, while also flexible enough to adapt to growing share of renewable capacities.

With leadership from countries, COP29 can be another pivotal moment in empowering the future of renewable energy globally. Let COP29 be remembered as the summit established the foundation for resilient and efficient grid infrastructure.

References

1 IRENA (2024), Renewable capacity statistics 2024, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. 

2 Mini-grids Partnership (2024), State of the Global Mini-Grids Market 2024, Sustainable Energy for All, Vienna. 

3 IRENA (2024), Renewable capacity statistics 2024, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. 

4 IEA (2023), Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions, IEA, Paris. License: CC BY 4.0

5 IEA (2024), From Taking Stock to Taking Action, IEA, Paris , License: CC BY 4.0