
Our Team
Our team is made up of a group of individuals who possess a wide range of expertise relevant to climate science and policy. This team plays a crucial role in providing expert advice, strategic guidance, and accountability.
Staff
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Charles Wanguhu
Charles is the Director of Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative (EI-AI), a Pan-African think-and-do tank dedicated to shaping a sustainable energy future for the continent. With extensive experience in natural resource management and energy governance, he also serves on the boards of the Natural Resource Governance Institute and the Africa Centre for Open Governance.
Charles holds a background in law from the University of Westminster and the University of Bedfordshire, equipping him with deep expertise at the intersection of business, human rights, and sustainable development. Passionate about governance, climate policy, and equitable resource management, he is committed to advancing policies that promote transparency, social justice, and Africa’s green transition.
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Natasha Haavi
Natasha leads the facilitation of the Beyond Oil and Gas (BOGA) project at Enzi Ijayo, bringing over eight years of experience in project management across various industries. With a strong background in process optimization and stakeholder management, she has a proven track record of improving operational efficiency and driving impactful outcomes.
Natasha’s expertise in building and streamlining processes has led to measurable success, including a 20% increase in employee efficiency and a 10% boost in customer satisfaction in her previous roles. Passionate about creating effective, high-performing systems, she is dedicated to enhancing workflows, reducing costs, and elevating work quality standards for Africans.
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Kabura Wanjohi
Kabura is a Research Intern at Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative, where she supports in research into sustainable energy, communications, program development and administrative functions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a double minor in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and International Relations from United States International University-Africa. Prior to joining Enzi Ijayo, Kabura worked in various capacities, including roles in human resource management (HR), peer counselling, and legal administration.
Kabura is passionate about exploring the intersection of sustainable development, human capital, and policy, with a keen interest in Human Resources and renewable energy solutions for Africans. With a background in Psychology and International Relations, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work, particularly in qualitative research, data analysis and client management.
Kabura is passionate about exploring the intersection of sustainable development, human capital, and policy, with a keen interest in Human Resources and renewable energy solutions. With a background in Psychology and International Relations, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work, particularly in qualitative research, data analysis and client management.
Fellows
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Bryan Micheni
Bryan is a Power Sector Fellow at Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative (EI-AEI) and an expert in energy and carbon management. With over seven years of experience in the power sector, he specializes in power generation and control, high and medium voltage design and construction, power system studies, energy modeling, and project management.
Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Transitions at Strathmore University. Passionate about advancing Africa’s energy transition, he is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to develop sustainable, efficient, and resilient power systems.
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Hafsa Maalim
Hafsa is a Climate Diplomacy Expert at Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative (EI-AEI), specializing in climate and energy security, multilateral cooperation, and partnerships. With extensive experience in African governance, peace, and security, she has worked with three international organizations focused on Africa’s role in global multilateral spaces.
Holding a background in Law with a focus on International Law, Hafsa possesses deep expertise in African policy, the workings of the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs/RMs), and multilateral systems like the UN and EU. A published researcher, she has contributed to key policy strategies on African partnerships, climate diplomacy, and the intersection of energy, peace, and security. Passionate about advancing Africa’s climate agenda, she is committed to fostering strong global cooperation for a just and sustainable energy future.
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Nyasha Munodawafa
Nyasha is a Policy Researcher and Financial Economist at Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative, leveraging his expertise in policy research, finance, and economics to drive impactful change. With experience spanning environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, and energy economics, he has worked across diverse industries, including mining, manufacturing, and emerging financial technologies. His policy research covers critical topics such as climate, energy and industrial policy, U.S. rule-making, regional remittances, and cryptocurrency solutions, along with advising startups on economic strategy.
Nyasha holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Economics, deepening his understanding of economic policy and sustainable development. Passionate about environmental protection, he actively advocates for birdlife conservation and broader sustainability initiatives. His work at the intersection of economic prosperity and environmental responsibility reflects his commitment to shaping policies that drive a just and sustainable energy future for Africans.
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Cherop Soy
Cherop is the Programs Officer at Enzi Ijayo Africa Initiative and heads our youth program. As an early career professional, Cherop is passionate about emission reductions, with experience in the private and public sectors, particularly in the energy sector. She believes that achieving a net-zero future requires climate ambition from all fronts.
Cherop is dedicated to empowering youth and advancing the renewable energy sector. She has played a pivotal role in driving initiatives integrating youth and gender perspectives into energy policies and practices across Africa. A seasoned advocate for sustainable economic development, Cherop continues to champion projects that promote African youth involvement and the adoption of renewable energy technologies to foster long-term growth and environmental sustainability.
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Leezola Zongwe
Leezola is a researcher and our focal point in Namibia at Enzi Ijayo, specializing in critical minerals and energy policy. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the NRF/DST SARChI Research Chair: Mineral Law in Africa at the University of Cape Town, supported by the Law Departmental Scholarship (2023) and the Manuel & Luby Washkansky Scholarship Fellowship (2022). Her work has gained international recognition, including winning the Best Scientific Poster Presentation Award at the World Resources Forum (2021) and placing in the top three of the Making Finance Work in Africa 2020 Call for Essays.
Leezola’s passion lies in exploring sustainable resource management and equitable economic policies for Africa.
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Emmanuel Ngetich
Emmanuel is an Energy and Environmental Economics professional at Enzi Ijayo, bringing a wealth of experience in energy policy analysis, climate change, and data analytics. He holds a strong academic background in energy economics, which has equipped him to analyze complex energy consumption patterns, optimize efficiency, and develop effective climate mitigation strategies using advanced data analysis tools.
Emmanuel's passion for sustainable development in Africa drives his work, as he believes in creating practical, data-driven solutions to support the continent’s energy transition and build climate resilience.
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Takudzwa Ndabvonga
Takudzwa is a geopolitical consultant at Enzi Ijayo, with over four years’ experience in political risk analysis and threat forecasting across Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) in Political and International Studies, with a focus on threat and security, global institutions and resource politics—providing him with deep insights into the continent’s complex challenges.
Focused on solving African problems with African solutions, Takudzwa’s work spans analysing geopolitical trends and patterns across the continent and delivering actionable recommendations that make use of African agency in global dynamics.
Board
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Dr. Nqobile Xaba
Dr. Xaba is a Researcher in the Knowledge Economy and Scientific Advancement faculty at the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), where her work focuses on the just transition in South Africa, climate change, and environmental issues. Her research interests include mineral beneficiation and associated technologies. Dr. Xaba holds advanced degrees in energy storage and conversion technologies. Before joining MISTRA, she lectured in chemistry at Tshwane University of Technology and spent five years researching energy storage technology solutions at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). A Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting alumni, Dr. Xaba has published extensively in scientific journals, contributed book chapters, and co-edited the MISTRA volume A Just Transition to a Low Carbon Future in South Africa. She is deeply committed to advancing research on energy solutions and sustainable development for Africans.