In this episode:

• Why Africa doesn't need to follow the same carbon-heavy development path as other regions
• How untapped renewable resources could support green growth across the continent
• Why involving Africa’s young population in energy planning is key to long-term success

Africa’s approach to energy will shape global sustainability efforts. Listen in to understand the stakes and the opportunities.

Recorded at SEforALL’s Global Forum in Barbados, Helen, Elizabeth and Anant discuss:

• The importance of young people finding and engaging with communities both online and offline to amplify impact.
• How Student Energy facilitates youth leadership in clean energy through education and global networks.
• The barriers to funding for youth-led initiatives and how organizations like Student Energy are addressing this.

Speaking at the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, Emmanuel shares his early memories of growing up in rural Ghana without electricity and how that sparked his passion for energy equity. We discuss innovations in energy-efficient appliances, clean cooking technologies, and the role of policy and finance in driving real change. Emmanuel also reflects on the role of Africa’s youth in shaping energy policy and implementation - and the importance of building solutions from the ground up.

From net-zero heroes to grassroots innovation, this is a powerful reminder that solving the energy access crisis is not just technical, it’s personal, and political. 

They talk through the crucial role of investment in the transition to clean energy, the opportunities and challenges in emerging markets, and the importance of sustainable development for a healthy planet. “This is the biggest opportunity of our lifetime”, says Souleymane. Where is the money coming from and where does it need to go?

This episode was recorded at the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, March 2025.

Recorded at the the SEforALL Forum in Barbados, they discuss the transformative strategies and stories from the Global South that are driven by solid data.

Gonzalo Bravo is Head of Energy Department at the Bariloche Foundation. His work involves developing long-term energy strategies in alignment with national commitments for sustainable development. He advocates for financial solutions to scale renewable energy and address energy access deficits, particularly in Africa, highlighting his commitment to advancing development in regions with the highest need. Yasmeen Oraby is Program Manager at the Economic Research Forum, and she works to deliver economic research to regional areas and empower youth and women in energy.

Lilia and Elizabeth talk about global efforts to transition towards clean energy, highlighting some of the World Bank's most successful projects in the Caribbean: improving energy efficiency in public buildings and a St. Lucia initiative that cut government energy bills by 80%.

Elizabeth also discusses the importance of energy efficiency in buildings. They call for global collaboration and a more inclusive sector, working to provide everyone with a dignified life powered by sustainable energy.

This episode was recorded at the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, March 2025.

Jessica talks through GE Vernova's sustainability framework which is built around four pillars: conserve, decarbonise, electrify, and thrive. GE Vernova is pioneering renewable energy projects, informed by ongoing research and development. Hear how one of the most innovative energy companies is managing decarbonisation goals with rising energy demand.

This episode was recorded at the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, March 2025.

Despite improved efficiency, energy consumption and emissions are both rising. It’s a global issue, so what can be done in India where demand is soaring? Dr Harikumar highlights Kerala's policies and training programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency, with a particular focus on buildings. He stresses the importance of sustainable practices and respecting environmental resources, urging action towards greener energy use. Learn how he and his team are spearheading projects that are making Kerala’s buildings greener and cheaper.

This episode was recorded at the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, March 2025.

Helen Watts, Executive Director of Student Energy, welcomes three visionaries: Paola Rodriguez Smith, General Manager of Soluz Honduras’ decentralized solar platform, Deborah Fadeyi, founder of Ecowise and their clean energy finance model for Africa, and Dr. Legena Henry’s Rum and Sargassum, a project pioneering biofuel made from marine biomass.

Which project will make the most impact? Which is the most economically viable? And who will walk away with the investment needed to take the project to the next level?

That's Latin America, but what about Africa? Caroline Eboumbou is CEO of All On, a leading impact funder in the renewable energy off-grid space in Nigeria, aiming to connect both the unserved and under-served populations to sustainable energy. The unserved and under-served are two groups for whom energy access is a major priority; Caroline explains how All On is working to get energy to them.

Finally, Anant and Elizabeth speak with Ashvin Dayal, Senior Vice President for Power at the Rockefeller Foundation, to discuss his work in leveraging public, private, and philanthropic partnerships to make a real impact.

Joseph Nganga, Special Envoy for Mission 300, sits down with Elizabeth Wangeci Chege to discuss the ambitious goal of bringing clean and sustainable electricity to 300 million people by 2030. They talk about the power of collaboration - between governments, financial institutions, and young innovators - to drive real change. The Dar es Salaam Declaration on Energy is a key example of this collaboration; it's shaping commitments across Africa. What does it involve and how much money needs to flow to the continent?

Plus, with COP30 on the horizon, Nigel Topping joins the show to shed light on the key summits and global forums paving the way for a cleaner, more connected future. Nigel is the founder of Ambition Loop and a former UN Climate Champion for COP26. He talks about the technology we have available already to accelerate the energy transition, and why the only barrier left is finance. "The more you build, the more you learn, the cheaper they get", says Nigel.

You'll learn about the transformative power of solar wind technologies in sub-Saharan Africa, and why battery storage advancements are the next frontier in renewable energy.

Plus, John's decades of experience in energy have taught him a few things about the impact of geopolitical developments on energy policy, the importance of mapping energy resources, and strategies for modernizing energy grids. He shares them with us on Let's Talk About Energy.

It's also the location for the 6th annual SEforALL Global Forum. Anant Wadhwa and Elizabeth Wangeci Chege welcome industry leaders and global energy decision-makers, to discuss the path to ensuring everyone, everywhere can live a dignified life on a healthy planet.

One of those industry leaders is Damilola Ogunbiyi - CEO of SEforALL. She joins the podcast to talk through the role of youth in driving change and the importance of an energised transition for future generations.

There are many examples of pioneering decarbonisation efforts going on around the world. One of those is the revolutionary Formula E - the electric version of motorsport Formula 1. Jeff Dodds is CEO at Formula E, and he takes us through their contribution to fast-tracking the energy transition. He discusses the challenges in electric vehicle adoption, and how the sport is shaping the future of e-mobility.

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