A Bright Future Ahead: Launch of the Africa Market Outlook for Solar PV

Sonia Dunlop is CEO of the Global Solar Council, where she represents the world's solar PV industry with respect to policy-makers, other sectors and the media. She previously worked for SolarPower Europe, Solar Energy UK and the RE-Source Platform. Previously she was for five years part of the senior management team of global climate politics think tank Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G) and worked for the COP26 Glasgow organising team in the UK government. She also spent five years in the European Parliament in Brussels working on renewables policy. She has expertise in solar PV, development finance, renewables, digitalisation of energy, Multilateral Development Banks climate finance and corporate Power Purchase Agreements. Sonia speaks fluent English, French and Italian as well as basic Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese, has two children and is based in London.

Cynthia Muhati is an Operational Excellence Specialist, a renewable energy enthusiast and a passionate advocate of sustainability, a founding member of Solinc East Africa, with a wealth of experience in shaping policy and regulatory environment and promoting Off-grid solar. My professional journey spans over 15 years in both corporate and social enterprise sectors, with expertise in sector performance management, business processes, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing efficiency, sustainability, profitability, and cost reduction. I serve on the Boards of The Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), the Electronic Producer Responsibility Organization of Kenya (EPROK), and the SHELogistics and Transport Association (SLTA). I hold a Barchelor's Degree in Business Management, am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supplies (CIPS) UK and Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) Kenya, and an experienced Enterprise Risk Manager.

Wido Schnabel was born in a country with one of the highest solar radiations in the world, in Namibia. Since 2008 he is in the Renewable Energy Industry with focus on Solar. He has built a Solar modules Factory in South Africa and is now Business Development Director for Sub-Sahara Africa for Canadian Solar. In the past he chaired of the board of SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Industry Association). For the last 10 years he is Business Development Director for Canadian Solar. Doing business all over in Africa with his passion to Solar is the unique value he represents Africa in the world and has created the term 'Africa will jump the Grid!' His motto 'There is enough Sun for all of us in Africa!' shows his passionate advocacy towards renewable energy.

Dr. Rethabile Melamu is a sustainability professional and a leader in the green economy sector. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), where she drives initiatives to promote clean energy and sustainable development across the country. Dr. Melamu holds a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Cape Town and brings over 18 years of experience in clean energy, environmental sustainability, technology commercialization, and the green economy. Her leadership experience spans several key roles, including Chairperson of the Water Research Commission and Trustee of the Mandela-Rhodes Foundation. She has also provided strategic insight as a Non-Executive Director across multiple private and public sector boards. Additionally, Dr. Melamu has held senior management roles, where she has successfully developed and implemented policies and strategies in energy, sustainability, and technology commercialization. As a thought leader, Dr. Melamu has authored numerous reports and thought leadership pieces on sustainability and green technologies. Her work has been widely recognized; in 2019, she was named one of Mail & Guardian's "Women Who Are Changing South Africa in the Public Sector." In 2024, she was also a finalist in the prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Awards, further underscoring her impact and leadership in the industry.

Léo is Policy officer at Global Solar Council (GSC), the world's solar PV trade association. The organisation represents corporate members across the value chain as well as national, regional and international associations to accelerate solar deployment globally. He's in charge of steering the working groups on Finance and Grids, where the industry collectively decides on its priorities to ensure that solar is the main source of electricity by 2035. After a first experience in press relations, he worked for a year in an apprenticeship at the French Wind Energy Association, advocating for the offshore wind industry. Léo pursued two master's degrees: one from Sciences Po Toulouse in European Affairs and the second from Université Paris Cité in Energy & Society, providing him with a transversal academic background suited to tackle the complexity of the energy transition.

Jerry Okoko is a senior transaction and finance advisor on energy, infrastructure, project finance and development for the GET.invest Finance Catalyst program, which has a footprint in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific regions. With an education in economics, finance and public policy, he is specialized in investment banking, capital and investment structure optimization. He has supported and advised on approx. $500m in transactions in Africa and the Caribbean regions for public and private sector clients. Jerry has co-developed and invested directly in several renewable energy projects in East Africa while also having consulted and advised extensively to African governments, academia, DFIs and private-sector firms. GET.invest is a European program that mobilizes investment in renewable energy in developing countries, supporting project developers and companies towards investment readiness and linking them with financiers.