Shining a Light on African Solar Energy: An Outlook on the Different Market Segments

Patrick is GOGLA’s Head of Policy and Regional Strategy. He is an experienced economic and trade development professional with over 15 years’ experience in the public and private sector conducting private sector development, investment and trade promotion and support. Before joining GOGLA, Patrick was embedded by the International Finance Corporation with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance to drive reform efforts to improve the business climate in Kenya and the East African Community. He has previously served as the Technical Advisor to the Kenya Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism and as a Senior Advisor for Monitoring and Evaluation with USAID Power Africa. Patrick spent 7 years with the US State of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development and the World Trade Center in Atlanta. He holds an MBA and a Master of Science in International Business from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Egerton University in Kenya. Born and raised in Kenya, Patrick speaks English and Swahili.

Faran Rana is an Associate Programme Officer at the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) Knowledge, Policy, and Finance Center, where he analyses energy transition-related investments, focusing particularly on renewables, including in the off-grid sector. Through evidence-based analysis, he supports IRENA’s work in developing actionable policy insights and fostering best practices in financing energy transitions across different contexts. Prior, Faran worked extensively for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) on implementing capacity-building projects to strengthen renewable energy policy frameworks in Fiji, Tonga, Pakistan, Thailand, and Kazakhstan and across the broader Asia-Pacific region. Faran holds a Master’s degree in Economics which he leverages to analyse the socio-economic and health impacts of energy policies and interventions.

Charlotte Taylor is the Global Distributors Collective (GDC) Communications and Impact Manager. Charlotte leads the communications and member engagement activities for the GDC’s 200-strong membership, is gender focal point for the GDC, and, as a member of the senior leadership team, is involved in shaping overall strategy for the collective. Charlotte has almost a decade of experience working at the nexus of energy access and advocacy; having previously worked on Practical Action’s Poor People’s Energy Outlook global report series, and on the Power for All campaign. The GDC is dedicated to supporting and representing its members to help them reach underserved customers, and to developing the last mile distribution (LMD) sector as a whole.

Paul Muhia is an emobility & energy expert with experience across Sub-Saharan Africa and has provided TA services for energy companies market entry. Paul is currently the Operations Director at AEMDA supporting membership growth, programs and events. Paul background is in Electrical & Electronics Engineering and has worked for both private sectors in Energy management and conducted over 50 investment-grade energy audits and NGO in energy access including demand stimulation through productive use of energy in rural areas. Paul's experience in matters of energy access & productive use of energy eg in emobility to improve people's livelihoods while protecting the environment. Paul has also co-founded several starups such as Raynow Energy an energy & engineering company providing turn-key and third-party services in energy, electrical, civil & mechanical engineering services.

Abraham Mudasia is the Communications Director for the Africa Minigrids Developers Association (AMDA). He is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of external and internal communications strategies for AMDA. He is a seasoned communications expert with a track record of influencing the global development agenda through strategic communications, event management, partnership building, and stakeholder relations including the media, government, and development partners. Previously, he worked as the Communications Lead for UN World Food Programme digital transformation process that combines the power of data, innovation, and technology to fundamentally change business outcomes. He has also led communications for AgriFin, a Mercy Corps flagship program and contributed in revolutionizing the way smallholder farmers feed the world through digital innovation. Abraham holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Sciences from Moi University Kenya, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi.