Tuliikeni (Tuli) Ndadi is an Engineer with a Masters in International Mineral Resource Management from the UK, with certificates in project management and development finance.
Passionate about sustainably driving Africa’s growth, she firmly believes the continent’s natural resources will help us reach our SDGs.
A family visit in 2012 taught Ndadi a life-altering appreciation for the critical importance of energy access. “While my cousin and I were the same age, her standard of living in a remote village in the north of Namibia was vastly different from mine. The village had no access to electricity or communication networks, severely limiting their access to education, healthcare and basic amenities.”
For Ndadi, this was a stark reminder that without energy, hospitals cannot function effectively, children cannot study at night, and food security is compromised due to a lack of storage and processing facilities. “This experience sparked my passion for working towards achieving universal energy access in Africa, as I believe it is a fundamental driver of socioeconomic development and the key to unlocking the continent’s vast potential.”
Despite being rich in natural resources and human potential, 70% of Africa’s population suffers from poor sanitation facilities, 41% of its people live on less than $1.25 a day, and only 15% of the rural population has access to electricity. “Whether it’s through promoting renewable energy, advocating for inclusive policies, or engaging with stakeholders at all levels, I believe that every action can make a difference in building a brighter future for Africa.”
“It is essential to recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for addressing Africa’s energy challenges”
While she acknowledges that the continent is characterised by remarkable diversity, with unique challenges and opportunities characterising every country’s energy sector, she also sees shared energy concerns. “The majority of the continent’s population today lacks access to sustainable sources of electricity. This stems from the insufficient capacity for power generation, poor management of energy infrastructure, and difficulty in attracting investments to the sector, in mentioning a few issues. Moreover, serving low-income users is a significant challenge, as is the lack of access to energy in rural areas.”
To overcome these challenges, Ndadi stresses the need to focus on quick gains, such as improving infrastructure, increasing investments, and enhancing the regulatory environment to encourage private sector participation.
“However, it is essential to recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate for addressing the energy challenges facing the diverse countries and regions of Africa.
Tailored solutions must be developed to suit each country’s specific needs while working towards the common goal of achieving universal energy access.”
As an energy professional, she is always on the lookout for innovative technologies and strategies that can be used to improve access to energy access and address energy poverty.
She is excited about developments in green hydrogen technology’s potential to deliver energy while addressing decarbonisation goals. She is even more enthusiastic to see what her home country of Namibia will do in this sector.
While she may work in the energy and development space, Ndadi is a keen artist who uses painting as an outlet to promote mindfulness and creativity as she goes about the exacting work of an engineer.
She draws on pan-Africanism to sustain her vision that the continent can achieve universal access and harness its resources for economic liberation. “My belief is that this access to energy will lead to significant improvements in the socio-economic development of Africa, especially in rural regions. This will lead to access to better health care systems, youth education, and clean, sustainable water.”
If allowed to address an international convention on behalf of Africa, the title of her speech would be Light in the Darkness: Unlocking Africa’s energy riches for a brighter future. She explains that this title reflects the paradox of plenty that characterises much of Africa’s energy landscape.
“Despite being endowed with abundant natural and mineral resources, many African countries suffer extreme poverty and energy deprivation. This paradox highlights the need to unlock the continent’s energy riches and harness them for the socio-economic development of its people.” ESI
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