How micro-finance opportunities empower women’s professional development in the energy sector

Empowering women in the energy sector is a core goal for the TEA-LP. As such, we decided to extend a Rolling Fund window to all our Future Female Leader graduates with the aim of capacitating women who have shown commitment and dedication to their careers in energy, and to their communities. The same concept as our initial calls of the Rolling Fund applied in that applicants motivated for activities that they had identified as catalytic for place-based energy access. The most sought-after motivation for funding was personal professional development. This shows a cohort of women dedicated to their careers in clean energy and to the goal of energy access.

Grace Abikoye was supported to complete the Renewable Energy Project Finance programme: a specialist, practitioner-led course focused on the end-to-end structuring and financing of renewable energy projects. She shared;

“After completing the Future Female Leaders in Energy programme with the University of Cape Town and the African Management Institute, the community shared the TEA-LP Rolling Fund as an opportunity for energy-related skills development. I came across the Renewable Energy Project Finance course and decided to apply.

My current role also shaped this decision. I work alongside senior private-sector executives and global leaders, and I have sat in rooms where energy markets and transition are discussed so I have seen why energy matters to economies and markets. This course deepened my technical knowledge of project finance and served as a springboard for my transition into energy financing… It gave me both the foundational grounding, and the technical depth required to deliver in a project finance role. The programme was taught by practising project finance professionals with substantial experience in the energy industry, and each session was built around real market case studies rather than theory.”

Mekides Ashagre, entrepreneur in developing renewable energy solutions that convert organic waste into upgraded biogas and organic fertiliser, motivated for funding for a series of targeted activities and experiences that would support her professional development;

“The funded activities focused primarily on capacity building, mentorship, technical field visits, product development support, and participation in networking events, trainings, and masterclasses. These activities were especially important because my work combines engineering, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Through the support provided by the fund, I was able to engage with professors, experienced engineers, and industry professionals who guided me in improving my technical understanding of biogas upgrading technologies, engineering design, and product development. Visiting facilities and interacting with practitioners also allowed me to observe how technical concepts are applied in real-world settings, helping me refine my own approach to developing practical clean energy solutions.”

Finally, Jéssica Yana da Conceição Munguambe was supported to attend Africa Energy Indaba 2026 which took place in March in Cape Town, South Africa.

“The conference brings together individuals from diverse parts of the world (CEOs, pioneers, executives, government officials such as ministers, and industry leaders), providing a great opportunity to learn, share knowledge, and network.

As an architect and urban planner, specialising in climate, and with a business focused on energy efficiency in buildings, I was interested in participating in this event. The objective was to learn about the energy sector in Africa, especially in construction, and establish partnerships for the development of energy consumption and management solutions… I gained a great deal by participating in this conference, including sharing and acquiring knowledge, information on current discussions about the energy sector (and other associated sectors, including construction), initiating business partnerships, and even learning from great leaders, including CEOs, pioneers, executives, and the participation of government officials. My gains far exceeded my expectations.”

What we have seen through this funding window is that women in energy are motivated to grow their careers, take on leadership roles and become entrepreneurs, which shows an encouraging and bright future for clean energy access development.

The TEA-LP is supported by UKAID under the Transforming Energy Access Platform.