‘It’s Not About Imposing Ideas, But Showcasing What Solutions Can Do’ – A Conversation with Anita Otubu

As we explore the incredible stories of women leaders from around the world, we are thrilled to spotlight a remarkable individual, Anita Otubu, who is making waves in the sustainable energy sector in Africa. Her work is characterized by a commitment to social equity and environmental sustainability, recognizing the profound impact that access to clean energy has on health, education, and overall quality of life.

Anita Otubu hails from Nigeria and is a passionate advocate for sustainable energy. Currently, she serves as the Senior Director at Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), where she leads the Universal Energy Facility. This initiative focuses on enhancing renewable energy accessibility across sub-Saharan Africa. With over 15 years of experience in energy policy and sustainable development, Anita dedicates her career to improving energy access in underprivileged communities.

Anita has a rich background; she began her journey as a legal officer in the UK before transitioning to Nigeria, where her advocacy for sustainable energy truly took flight. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Kingston University, postgraduate qualifications from the University of Law (formally known as the College of Law (law school)), and the Nigerian Law School. She completed an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.

A Journey from Childhood Dreams to Leadership

Born and raised in London, Anita came from a strong Nigerian family that emphasized the importance of education. While she didn’t always dream of being a lawyer or working in energy. “I wanted to make my parents proud”—she was determined. Anita encourages young women everywhere to understand that it’s okay to not have a clear career path; sometimes passions develop later in life. “I come from a very strong Nigerian family where it was always made clear that you either became a doctor or a lawyer.” Although law was not initially her dream, it became the foundation for her career.

Transitioning into the male-dominated engineering sector wasn’t easy for Anita, but her background in law became an asset. After moving to Nigeria, Anita entered the energy sector, a known male-dominated field. She recounted, “I was very happy and excited to get into the sector and to learn about it,” particularly after witnessing the challenges of energy access in Nigeria compared to her previous life in the UK. Anita believes that every individual can make a difference, even if it’s small.

During her conversation with Dr. Chandra Vadhana, Managing Editor of SheSight Global, Anita discussed her role at SE4ALL and how the organization works to improve energy access for rural communities. “The idea is to support economic development and growth within these communities,” she said, explaining how their financing initiatives support the deployment of renewable energy solutions.

As the Senior Director at the Universal Energy Facility, Anita’s work centers on providing grants to private companies that build renewable energy solutions, such as mini-grids and solar home systems, for rural communities. However, financial viability remains a significant challenge in these areas. Many companies shy away from rural projects due to the low economic activity, making it tough to secure investments. “So, finance, in summary, is a major challenge just because of the viability aspect. No private sector company wants to go into business where they’re not going to see a profit.” – Anita added.

She candidly addressed the challenges of implementing energy projects in underserved areas, stating, “Government should ordinarily be responsible, but many African countries lack the financial capacity.” To combat this, the Universal Energy Facility provides grants to private sector companies, helping to bridge the gap in energy access.

With support from her organization, Anita aims to bridge this gap, ensuring that these communities are not left behind in the march toward sustainable energy solutions. The funding they provide reduces risks and financial burdens on businesses, creating a secure environment for energy investments.

Women Empowerment in Renewable Energy

Anita highlights the increasing role of women in the renewable energy sector. She recalls inspiring examples from her past, such as her work with female STEM students being hands-on in solar plant projects. By encouraging women to actively participate and learn, she helps shift the narrative about women in male-dominated fields. “I needed them to not just take notes, but to actually do the work,” which empowered the students and encouraged them to pursue careers in energy. Her efforts show that anyone, regardless of their background, can contribute to the energy sector. It’s about recognizing individual strengths and finding the right niche to fill.

When discussing futuristic skills for young professionals, Anita emphasized the need for diverse roles in the energy sector. “We need all hands-on deck,” she stated. She is optimistic about the emergence of innovative startups and solutions in renewable energy, mentioning initiatives like mesh grids that adapt to unique community needs. She believes that Africa has a unique opportunity to pursue clean energy without repeating the mistakes of the past. As governments, corporates, and local communities collaborate, the potential for change is enormous. She poignantly noted, “It’s quite unfortunate because Africa is really the continent that’s most affected… yet it contributes so little to global emissions.”

Drawing from her experiences, she proposed policy changes to ensure a transition to clean energy technologies and improve funding access. “I think it would not be bad to make the capital a lot cheaper to access,” she suggested, recognizing the disproportionate burden on African nations.

Though inspired by many leading women, including Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary General, United Nations, Okonjo Iweala, the Director General, World Trade Organisation and Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO, Sustainable Energy for All and Senior Representative of the Secretary General, Anita, herself, also stands as an inspiration for aspiring leaders, showing that with dedication, anyone can make a positive impact on their community. With her forward-thinking approach, she is helping shape a future where energy is more accessible and equitable for all. SheSight extends heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Anita Otubu for sharing her inspiring journey with us. Her achievements serve as a source of motivation for others who are striving to make a difference. Her insights and experiences offer valuable guidance, helping many find their way forward. We truly appreciate her openness and commitment to empowering others, and we admire her dedication to building a brighter, more inclusive future.

Staff Reporter