Future Female Leader spotlight: Hannah Muthoni Gichuki’s bold leap into sustainable entrepreneurship

At the Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP), we believe in the power of empowered individuals to drive real-world change. One shining example of this is Hannah Muthoni Gichuki, a recent graduate of our Future Female Leaders in Energy (FFL) programme—and now, a trailblazer and inspiration to many more in Kenya’s sustainable energy sector.

Hannah graduated from the FFL programme in February 2025, and just weeks later made a courageous leap: she left her role as a Solar Engineer in Nairobi to pursue her long-standing dream of starting her own energy enterprise. With purpose, passion, and a newly sharpened skillset, Hannathon Ecodesign and Energy was born.

Her mission? To deliver sustainable, inclusive, and affordable energy and water solutions to underserved communities in Kenya—solutions designed with community voices at the centre, and sustainability at the core.

A Bold Move, Powered by Purpose

Hannah Muthoni Gichuki participating at a panel discussion at the Youth Energy Summit (YES!): From Conception to Reality: Bringing Energy Projects to Success. Source: HMG

Hannah credits much of her courage and clarity to the leadership module of the FFL programme. A reflective exercise known as the Sunrise Exercise helped her define her purpose—a vision she continues to use as a compass today.

I still refer to the draft I wrote during that session—it serves as a compass for the work I do today. I got so motivated that immediately after graduation from the course on February 2025 I quit my job from a solar company in Nairobi, Kenya and registered Hannathon Ecodesign and Energy beginning of March 2025.”

From Ideas to Impact: A Promising Start

Hannah hit the ground running. Within months, her startup completed its first pilot project, providing clean water access to Gatumbu Village in Murang’a County. It was a strong validation of her belief that locally-driven, context-sensitive solutions are the key to long-term energy access and community resilience.

Through the FFL programme, Hannah gained technical knowledge of the off-grid energy sector, along with practical skills in project planning, communication, financial management, and risk mitigation. These tools proved invaluable in getting her business off the ground.

“The course equipped me with a versatile skill set across leadership, operations, and finance. I became more strategic in project planning and was able to implement structured management tools to clarify roles and streamline execution. I now understand how to monitor sustainability metrics, assess funding opportunities, and make data-driven decisions. Most importantly, the leadership and self-awareness components of the course helped me define my core values, gain clarity on my strengths, and lead authentically.”

Looking Ahead: A Vision for East Africa

Going forwards, Hannah envisions scaling her impact across Kenya and East Africa, growing her company into a leading social enterprise that partners with communities, schools, and institutions to deliver clean, reliable, and resilient energy and water services.

Words of Wisdom for Women in Energy

To other women considering their next bold move, Hannah offers encouragement:

“Start with your purpose—let it anchor your vision and decisions. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start small, learn fast, and refine as you grow. Surround yourself with a community of mentors, peers, and collaborators who believe in you and challenge you to grow.

“Most importantly, believe in your value and your voice. Step boldly into spaces where women have been underrepresented—your perspective brings necessary balance, and your presence creates space for others to follow.”

– Written by Kai Forster