Productive Use of Energy

Suman has 20+ years of experience designing global programs that promote inclusive economic development in Africa and Asia. As a Managing Director at GEAPP, she leads efforts to ensure renewable energy investments improve jobs and livelihoods globally. Suman holds an MPA from Princeton and a BA from Johns Hopkins University.

Makena Ireri is the Managing Director of Energy & Opportunity at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), where she leads global strategies to harness clean energy as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth. An energy specialist with more than 14 years of experience spanning nuclear power, renewable energy, and international development, she bridges technical expertise with systems-level approaches to development.

Her career began in nuclear energy generation in the UK, before moving into renewable energy and energy access in emerging markets. Over the past decade, she has led initiatives that connect clean energy to job growth, livelihood development, enterprise growth, women’s economic empowerment, and poverty reduction—working with partners such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, Gates Foundation, IKEA Foundation, FCDO, and the World Bank, among others.

At GEAPP, Makena’s work sits at the intersection of energy and opportunity, ensuring that electrification fuels job creation, agricultural transformation, climate resilience, and improved quality of life. She has mobilized millions in funding to scale productive uses of energy as a driver of socio-economic empowerment, advised social enterprises across Africa, integrated energy solutions in humanitarian and low-income contexts, and contributed to global thinking on how energy access underpins socio-economic transformation.

Previously, Makena was Director of Clean Energy Access Research at CLASP, where she managed a multi-million dollar research portfolio on off-grid technologies and authored widely cited publications on the role of appliances in stimulating demand, advancing gender equity, and driving universal energy access.

Her engineering foundation, research leadership, and global advisory experience have made her a trusted voice in shaping strategies and partnerships for sustainable energy transitions. She is frequently engaged as a speaker, advisor, and thought leader, with a distinctive ability to connect technical rigor to the human and economic outcomes of energy access.

Sarah Maina Kanda has over a decade of experience in driving inclusive, sustainable energy solutions across Africa. At the Alliance, she focuses on clean energy, livelihoods, and green jobs, especially enhancing women’s participation in the energy transition. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and is PRINCE2 certified.

Chianda is a Director Energy & Opportunity, Africa at the Alliance, based in Nairobi. He focuses on using renewable energy to create jobs in underserved communities. Previously, he worked at the Rockefeller Foundation and as a management consultant at One Acre Fund and Open Capital Advisors. Chianda holds an MSc in Business Analytics from Loughborough University and a BSc in Business Information Technology from Strathmore University.

Chipo Hamukoma is the Senior Associate for Demand, Jobs, and Livelihoods at GEAPP, based in South Africa. She specializes in policy, philanthropy, and social impact, uniting stakeholders to address Africa’s challenges. Previously, she was Head of Funder Partnerships at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, focusing on youth employment in Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana.

Farouk Magaji Bello is the Manager, Energy and Opportunity for the Alliance in Nigeria. He has over 13 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, previously working as a Principal Manager at the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission and an Energy Access Specialist at the World Bank. Farouk also led projects at eN Consulting & Projects Ltd, focusing on stakeholder engagement and regulatory affairs for solar power plants.

Hariom leads program implementation and demand generation in Bihar and Jharkhand at GEAPP, supporting mini-grid developers and creating market linkages for microenterprises. With extensive experience in financial inclusion, he previously worked with EKO India Financial Services. Hariom holds an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in sociology