Energy Transition Africa (ETA) has unveiled the Founding Class of its ETA Fellows Programme, an initiative designed to strengthen the people, institutions and ideas needed to drive Africa’s clean energy transition. The programme brings together 15 fellows from eight African countries who will spend the next 11 weeks developing practical solutions to some of the continent’s biggest energy challenges.
The programme reflects ETA’s belief that while Africa has growing access to clean energy technologies, investment opportunities and financing, long-term progress will depend on building the human and institutional capacity needed to turn these opportunities into effective policies, stronger institutions and successful infrastructure projects.
The Founding Class, also known as Cohort Zero, was selected from 231 applications, with only 15 professionals, representing less than seven percent of applicants, earning a place in the inaugural cohort. As the first intake, they will help establish the standards and legacy that will shape future ETA Fellows.
Building the Skills Behind Africa’s Energy Transition
Energy Transition Africa is an independent, Africa-led knowledge and media platform focused on strengthening the human, institutional and policy foundations of the continent’s energy transition. Alongside producing policy analysis, research and editorial insights on issues such as climate finance, electricity access, critical minerals and energy policy, the organisation also invests in developing the professionals who will lead the sector through initiatives such as the ETA Fellows Programme.
The fellows come from government, regulation, development finance, infrastructure, research, civil society, journalism, strategic communications and the private sector. Their diverse experience is expected to encourage collaboration across sectors that play a critical role in Africa’s energy future.
Working with experienced Faculty Contributors, participants will examine why finance continues to struggle to reach African energy projects, how transition-critical minerals can support long-term development, why infrastructure challenges continue to slow progress and how evidence-based policy analysis can influence institutional decision-making.
Rather than focusing on classroom learning alone, the programme is designed around practical outcomes. Each fellow will produce an evidence-based Signature Analysis, develop a public communication asset and present their work during the ETA Fellows Colloquium. The goal is to move beyond identifying problems by proposing practical solutions to the institutional, financial and implementation barriers that continue to affect energy development across Africa.
Creating Long-Term Capacity for Africa’s Energy Future
ETA says Africa’s energy transition will ultimately depend not only on new projects and investment, but also on the quality of the people and institutions responsible for delivering them. Through the Fellows Programme, applied skills training, policy dialogues and partnerships with foundations, universities, civil society organisations and the private sector, the organisation is working to build a stronger network of energy professionals across the continent.
As Cohort Zero begins its journey, the Founding Class represents the first step towards creating a pan-African community of professionals equipped to translate ideas into action and help shape Africa’s clean energy future.
ETA Fellows Programme Founding Class (Cohort Zero 2026)
- Edward Odindo (Kenya)
- Chioma Ome (Nigeria)
- Damilola Olowookere (Nigeria)
- Nozuko Poni (South Africa)
- Toyeeb Arowona (Nigeria)
- Deborah Bonney (Ghana)
- Kemoh Lumei (Liberia)
- Etareri Dekpe (Nigeria)
- Moses Kilimo (Kenya)
- Adaku Ajaghaku (Nigeria)
- Elvis Avenyo, PhD (South Africa)
- Dieudonné Soatsara (Madagascar)
- Kodjo Attikpo (Togo)
- Dr. Kashema Bahago (Nigeria)
- Fizzo Chidakwa (Zambia)
