Shawn Develops Green Energy in Africa

I learnt about Sciences Po after completing my undergraduate studies in Renewable Energy from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega, Kenya. For a long time, my approaches to solving challenges facing the energy sector were based on a technological perspective, I guess this came naturally since my undergraduate program was heavily engineering based.

The master’s in International Energy not only provided an opportunity to tackle the sector challenges from a technological point but also from a political, social and economic perspective. This broadened my understanding of how I can effectively solve problems, debate and become a change-maker.

I am a development associate working at Savannah Energy. My role is to develop greenfield renewable energy projects across the African continent. Having been with the company for one year now, the journey has had its fair share of challenges as well as growth opportunities. For me, I get satisfaction knowing that every project I successfully deliver is an opportunity to lift a community out of energy poverty thus improving their lives and economic perspective.

I remember vividly how I got involved with SPEA on my second week of joining Sciences Po. At the time, I was heading the events and planning division, my role entailed organising webinars and forums that brought together alumni and distinguished industry specialists to debate and give their opinion on current affairs that impacted the global energy landscape.

I come from the western part of Kenya where we’ve got the only remaining rainforest in the country. For decades, I watched illegal deforestation taking place and I decided I must do something about it. The leading cause for massive deforestation was to provide charcoal to informal urban residents who cannot afford cooking with liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or thereof any other forms of clean cooking.

Kasa Eco briquettes was born to tackle a social and environmental issue at the same time. Our goal is to eliminate the use of charcoal and substitute with clean fuel briquettes made completely out of a mixture of agricultural waste. The project supplies briquettes to the local area customers and has employed two staff on site. In the beginning we had production challenges as we launched operations a few months after the general elections. Our next big plan is to make efficient cookstoves that would increase the hours in which our briquettes can burn without adding more fuel.

My first summer in Paris, on a beautiful sunny evening, I remember having the opportunity to undertake the infamous “boat cruise ride” on the Seine River. I thought the ride was the only activity organised by the Mastercard Foundation team for that day. To my surprise, we proceeded to a light dinner on a still boat, just by the river. The sunset views were amazing, with the Eiffel tower in the background. The conversations we had between the team and Scholars were nothing short of the ultimate experience.

Recognise and harness the power of networking as you’ll meet a diverse set of professors, students and staff coming across the world to be part of the Sciences Po community. I got my first internship thanks to an informal conversation I had with a classmate back then. I’ve had the opportunity to travel and meet resourceful people thanks to my “social skills”.

Finally, be open minded and ready to learn and adapt to your new environment. The mode of learning and instruction at Sciences Po can be quite different from your home country. I had moments where I cried and broke down but what kept me going was the fact that I was willing to learn and grab the opportunities that the school and the scholarship offered me.