The Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Governance Board has approved Damilola Ogunbiyi for a second five-year term as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following great strides the organisation has made under her leadership to enable just, equitable and sustainable energy transitions that ensure better quality of life and opportunities for people living in developing regions.

Recognised as a trailblazer during her first term, which began in 2020, Ms. Ogunbiyi, who is the first CEO to have her appointment renewed, led an ambitious expansion of SEforALL’s global influence and country support, providing clear pathways to accelerate progress towards universal energy access and advancing a just and equitable energy transition in countries that stand at the greatest risk of being left behind.

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an international organisation that works in partnership with the United Nations and government leaders, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to drive faster action towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030 – in line with the Paris Agreement on climate.

It works to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential.

Under Ogunbiyi’s leadership, SEforALL has prioritised evidence-based support to in-country capacity building that drives policy, project, and ecosystem action with sustainable energy solutions towards climate and development priorities.

This led to securing $1.3 trillion in commitments through Energy Compacts to support the achievement of SDG7, in partnership with UN-Energy, enabling the first-time capture of energy-specific voluntary SDG7 commitments, aligned with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Through this, 129 million people have access to electricity while 22 million others have access to clean cooking through the Energy Compact commitments.

The organisation also raised $40 million as a subsidy to bridge the gap for new mini-grid and high-capacity standalone solar systems that supported Sierra Leone, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and Nigeria through the Universal Energy Facility (UEF), a results-based financing facility and multi-donor platform managed by SEforALL.

“At the same time, 330 young women from the Global South have been trained in the sustainable energy sector and benefited from career development.

The organisation, under her leadership, supported eight Presidencies of the G20 and the UNFCCC COP – Saudia Arabia, Italy, Indonesia, India and Brazil under G20 and the UK, Egypt and the UAE under COP to advance just and equitable energy transitions.

The organisation also supported Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Barbados and Sierra Leone to develop Energy Transition and Investment Plans, thus providing an opportunity for these countries to build energy systems that support economic and social development and achieve net-zero emissions.

Additionally, SEforALL supported the development of national integrated energy plans (IEPs) to help direct resources effectively and efficiently to help Malawi, Nigeria and Madagascar achieve goals for electrification and clean cooking access.

Reacting, Ogunbiyi, said “It is an honour to be appointed for a second five-year term as the CEO of Sustainable Energy for All. I look forward to continuing my SEforALL and UN-Energy roles and working with government leaders, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society and philanthropies to end energy poverty and accelerate a just and equitable energy transition.

“I am committed to working with countries around the world, ensuring that all people irrespective of where they currently live, can lead dignified, productive and healthy lives powered by sustainable energy.”

Praising Ogunbiyi’s re-appointment, President Bola Tinubu said her re-appointment was not just a win for Nigeria but for the world as well.

He said, “With the support of Sustainable Energy for All, the Nigerian Government designed the first-of-its-kind Energy Transition Plan to tackle the dual crises of energy poverty and climate change and to deliver SDG7 by 2030 and net zero by 2060.

“Through Damilola’s leadership, SEforALL continues to offer support to the country through the Energy Transition Office as well as through programmes such as the Universal Energy Facility.

“Her reappointment is not only a win for Nigeria but a win for the world,” Tinubu stated.

President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, “Sustainable Energy for All is forging strategic partnerships and alliances for expanding sustainable energy solutions.

Damilola’s reappointment at Sustainable Energy for All will further support our collective efforts to develop and scale up sustainable energy solutions in Africa.”

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