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“STEM, TVET, and energy are pathways to Africa’s progress”
Committed and spunky is how Catherine Nyambala describes herself. With over 20 years as an electrical engineer, 13 in energy, she has made a mark as a sustainable energy advocate in Africa. She is a founding member of Women in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship (WISEe) Worker Cooperative Society.
Currently serving as the East Africa/Kenya Technical Lead for the USAID-funded Power Africa Empower East and Central Africa (EECA) project, Nyambala’s work involves scaling renewable energy solutions to drive inclusive, low-carbon economic growth.
The role reflects her commitment to sustainability and visionary approach to Africa’s energy challenges.
When asked about her claim to fame, her response was as diverse as her achievements. “While attending the Fortune Most Powerful Woman Summit in 2010, I was audience to a sitting US President: President Obama. However, what got me there is what I deem my claim to fame: Mentorship of young people in STEM.” Her pioneering efforts to promote STEM education in East Africa through her organisation, STEMAfrica, transpired “before many knew what the acronym stood for.”
“I’ve also had the privilege of working with Kenya’s largest power generator and the world’s seventh largest geothermal producer, KenGen.” These roles have shaped her expertise and vision for the continent’s energy sector.
Her career wasn’t without its challenges, but she’s turned them into opportunities for growth. At KenGen, she pitched innovative ideas at the company’s annual Innovation Seminar seven times, winning five, with several implemented. This experience taught her a valuable lesson: “Great ideas can come from anywhere in an organisation. It’s important to stay open-minded and listen.” This ethos of inclusivity and collaboration continues to influence her leadership style.
One of the biggest challenges in Africa’s energy sector is the slow pace of project development. She explains that legal, regulatory, and political issues often delay progress. “We need political goodwill and legislative frameworks that are facilitative rather than deterrent. Policies that support speedy development and provide incentives for power infrastructure developers while keeping electricity costs contained would make a huge difference.”
Great ideas can come from anywhere in an organisation. It’s important to stay open-minded and listen.
She also sees tremendous potential in innovations like battery energy storage systems and establishing industrial parks or special economic zones near power sources with lower tariffs. “These trends can revolutionise energy access and economic development.”
Looking to the future, Nyambala paints a picture of a thriving continent. “I dream of an Africa where every young person has a job, with spare jobs available. An Africa that leads in research and provides solutions to the world using its natural resources sustainably. An Africa that doesn’t borrow but lends.”
Her vision extends to education, energy, and entrepreneurship. “STEM, TVET, and energy are pathways to Africa’s progress,” she says, adding that empowering local communities with skills and knowledge is key to sustainable development.
Despite her technical expertise, Nyambala brings a deep human touch to her work. “I lead by initiating comprehensive sustainability strategies that include ESG metrics, followed by transparent reporting.” This came in good stead as an Industry Advisory Board Member of the KenGen World Bank (WB)-funded East Africa Skills Transformation Program (EASTRIP), collaborating with external board members from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to increase access and improve the quality of energy curriculum for technical and vocational education and training in the target countries.
Her motivational approach extends beyond engineering. Every year, she chooses a song of the year to inspire herself. ““”It’s my way of staying grounded and energised,” she says, adding that drawing inspiration from the metaphor of “climbing Mount Everest” elevates her thinking, ideologies and interactions, striving for excellence in every aspect of life.
“The fact that my efforts make a difference – that’s what keeps me motivated.” Whether she’s pitching an idea, mentoring the next generation of engineers, or advocating for policy changes, Nyambala is driving progress – one project, one innovation, and one bold idea at a time. ESI |
