The 4th Annual Women in Energy 2024 Event held by EWiEn
On December 5, 2024, the
Ethiopian Women in Energy Association (EWiEn), in collaboration with GIZ
Energizing Development (Endev), held its 4th Annual Women in Energy 2024 Event
at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.
The event started with a welcoming speech from Ms. Adey Getachew, President of EWiEn, addressing a diverse audience. The ceremony was honored by the presence of H.E. Dr. Ing. Sultan Wali, State Minister for Energy Development at the Ministry of Water and Energy.
While by her welcoming speech she addressed the aim of the Annual Women in Energy 2024 Event that aims to enhance the visibility of women in the energy sector, promoting their roles as professionals, business owners, policymakers. It offers a space for women to share their experiences in the energy transition, highlighted how their involvement contributes to improved organizational performance.
During her speech, the president acknowledged the support of Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, Ethiopian Electric Power, and VERITAS Consulting for their contributions to the event’s success.
Mr. Stephan Lidsba,
Deputy Country Director of GIZ Ethiopia, delivered an opening speech
highlighting the strong partnership between GIZ and EWiEn over the past four
years. He emphasized the event’s purpose: to honor exceptional women who have
made significant contributions. Mr. Lidsba noted the event’s timing during the
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence as a meaningful gesture of
support. He also pointed out that the exhibition provided a valuable
opportunity for networking and showcasing achievements.
The first keynote speaker,
Mr. Gosaye Mengstu Energy Development Advisor to the State Minister of the Ministry
of Water and Energy congratulated EWiEn for its efforts to minimize gender gaps
and inspire young women to pursue careers in the energy sector. He stressed the
importance of recognizing women not just as beneficiaries but as change- agent.
The second keynote
speaker, Ms. Semege Ayalew, Deputy CEO
of Ethiopian Electric Power, She acknowledged EWiEn’s significant contributions to narrowing the
gender gap in the energy sector and highlighted EEP’s ongoing support for
EWiEn. She concluded her remarks by extending heartfelt congratulations to this
year’s award recipients.
Ms. Yodit Gebremaryam, a subcommittee member outlined the selection process for the 2024 Influential Women in Energy Award recipients. Ethiopian Women in Energy Association (EWiEn) launched a well-advertised call on social media, collecting 28 nominees from April 20 to June 2024. The review process involved three steps, filtering the nominees down to 10, which were then sent to an external jury. The jury selected winners based on the nominees’ years of experience and societal impact, using specific evaluation criteria.
1. Meet Mrs.Tirhas Mebrahtu, Influential Women in Energy Award 2024 winner an Ethiopian environment and Climate Change Specialist. She studies her BSC Forestry Science in Wondogenet College of Forestry and has received her Msc from Mekelle University.
She has been working for more than ten years for the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority, former Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission. Her duties mainly focused on mobilizing resources from the International Multilateral and Bilateral funds to implement Environment and Climate change actions.
While working in different positions, she successfully mobilized more than 150 million USD from Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), Fast Track Investment, Italian Government, Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) and UNDP and UNEP. Most of the projects support the rural communities to use renewable/clean energy and improve their livelihood.
In addition to resource Mobilization, she coordinates and manages projects. She successfully implements the GBEP funded project and continues working as national GBEP coordinator.
Tirhas works as carbon market focal person and supports Institutions and Private sectors to engage in Carbon Market and many of the existing carbon Market projects are in energy sectors.
- Meet Lensie Edaye,Influential Women in Energy Award 2024 winner, is a pioneering leader in Ethiopia’s energy sector, currently serving as the Director of Women and Social Affairs at Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP).
She overcame personal obstacles and rose through the ranks of a male-dominated sector after graduating from Jimma University, gaining recognition for her honesty and diligence.
Lensie has developed a 30% hiring quota for women and built childcare facilities to assist working mothers. With the goal of boosting women’s leadership in the energy industry, she supports inclusive legislation and educational opportunities to advance women’s representation and empowerment.
- Meet Hiwote Teshome,Influential Women in Energy Award 2024 winner, a leading figure in East Africa’s energy sector, with over 30 years of experience in renewable energy and clean cooking solutions.
She holds a BSc in Chemistry from AAU and an MSc in Renewable Energy from the University of Oldenburg, Germany. Starting her career in 1989 at Ethiopia’s Energy Studies and Research Centre, she has worked with GTZ (GIZ), Practical Action Consulting, and as a freelance consultant, leading and implementing cook stove projects in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Mozambique. Since 2018, she has been with SNV Ethiopia, leading clean cooking projects and a multi-country project in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, focusing on Productive Use Renewable Energy (PURE) solutions to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.
Hiwote has made significant contributions to household energy efforts in the countries she has been engaged in since the early stages of these initiatives.
Her work includes technology design, numerous energy studies and research, strategy formulation, and fostering an enabling environment and market creation, particularly beneficial for women. Her efforts have earned her recognition from donors and development partners. She is currently the Energy Sector Lead for SNV Ethiopia.
- Meet Hawi Tesfaye,Influential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees Ethiopia’s renewable energy sector. She began her journey during the COVID-19 epidemic, Hawi moved from business development at MMCY Tech in Dubai to MOD Renewable Engineering PLC in 2020, where she was appointed Director of Renewable Energy.
There, she effectively spearheaded campaigns to provide solar energy to rural areas, enabling women to launch small enterprises and improve their standard of living. Advocating for cost-effective solar solutions and encouraging women’s involvement in the industry, she was named Chairwoman of the Ethiopian Solar Energy Development Association in 2023.
Hawi has made gender equality a priority, as seen by the fact that 65% of her staff are female, even though she works in a male-dominated industry. Honored as one of the 50 Most Inspirational Female Energy Executives by Africa Oil Week,She intends to start her own mini-grid solutions business with the goal of advancing Ethiopia’s economic growth and giving 100–160 women work.
- Meet Etsegenet SitotawInfluential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees Trailblazer in Energy sector she has more than 13 years of expertise in the energy sector. Etsegenet holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Haramaya University and a Master of Power Systems and Energy Engineering degree from Hawassa University.
Currently, she serves as the Program Component Manager and Technical Advisor for GIZ’s Energising Development Ethiopia (EnDev) program in Addis Ababa. Here, she leads efforts to implement sustainable energy solutions, empowering women and youth while supporting rural communities with innovations like solar water pumping and micro-hydropower systems.
Beyond her technical expertise, Etsegenet is passionate about mentoring and capacity development, working tirelessly to uplift women and youth through training and partnerships.
- Meet Meseret Mare GebreInfluential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees, a well-known entrepreneur in Ethiopia’s energy sector. She started Meseret Mare Solar Company to help rural farmers with their electricity needs. Her company has been in business for more than nine years and has distributed 60,000 solar items, such as residential systems and solar pumps, greatly expanding access to sustainable energy. She works with stakeholders to bring solar technology to off-grid villages through programs like “Berhan Lehulum,” which promotes environmental sustainability and economic progress. By encouraging a diverse workforce and mentoring women, Meseret also promotes gender equality in the energy industry. She wants to increase her influence throughout Ethiopia and advance solar technology.
- Meet Haimanot TeferaInfluential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees, an Ethiopian energy sector pioneer! She began her path as an engineer by earning a degree from Bahir Dar University in Electrical Engineering. Before taking up the leadership role to manage one of the World Bank-funded mega projects, Smart Energy Meters intergration Project, Haimanot started her career at Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) in 2007 and has worked her way up through several roles at the national load dispatch center.
Currently, she oversees the modernization of Ethiopia’s electric infrastructure, which improved energy quality and reduced EEP losses to make room for community-based projects. As a prominent advocate for women in engineering, she frequently mentors aspiring female engineers and promotes gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Haimanot is a remarkable figure in the energy sector whose perseverance, technical expertise, and commitment to change will motivate future generations of female leaders!
- Meet Frehiwot Girma (Ph.D)Influential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees, an innovative electrical engineer from Ethiopia who is significantly advancing the energy sector! Growing up in Addis Ababa, she developed a passion for mathematics and physics, which led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Bahir Dar University in 2004. After that, she pursued a master’s and doctoral degree in Ethiopian hydropower resource efficiency.
Among her many notable roles is that of manager and consultant at Incode Engineering Solutions, where she leads a team of individuals who develop innovative electro-mechanical solutions. Her research has improved efficiency and planning, addressing significant problems facing the hydropower sector.
Frehiwot is dedicated to promoting gender equality and is a strong advocate for women in engineering, offering internships and mentoring young women in her area. She has consistently shown her leadership and knowledge in an area that is dominated by men, despite challenges.
- Meet Enkenyelesh AlemuInfluential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees, a pioneer in Ethiopia’s electrical sector! Starting as a technician, she has risen to Deputy Director General of Operation and Maintenance at the Ethiopian Electricity Service Management Authority, a remarkable achievement in a male-dominated field.
In 2024, she took charge of Addis Ababa’s electrical infrastructure, focusing on reliability and sustainability. Her leadership has led to significant improvements, including the successful replacement of thousands of outdated poles and enhanced safety measures for her team.
Enkenyelesh is not only a successful engineer but also a mentor and advocate for women in engineering, breaking down gender preconceptions and fostering a supportive work environment. As she pursues a master’s degree in electrical engineering, she is ready to make even more contributions to Ethiopia’s energy future.
- Meet Mihret DestaInfluential Women in Energy Award 2024 nominees, is a pioneer in Ethiopia’s energy sector, having graduated from Mekelle University with a Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and she has got her master degree from AAU in electrical power engineering.
She began working for Ethiopian Electric Power in 2007 E.C as a substation operator and she is currently employed at the National Load Dispatch Center as a Senior Operational Planner. Mihret plays a key role in overseeing Ethiopia’s electrical generation, especially hydroelectric power. Through the East Africa Power Pool to Ethiopia grid and neighboring interconnected countries, her strategic planning has reduced outages and improved regional ties. As a mentor and leader, she also actively supports gender equality and empowers women in the energy sector.
The jury selected winners based on the nominees’ years of experience and societal impact, using specific evaluation criteria.
Ms. Enas Abdella, a member of the external jury, explained how they chose the three winners of this year’s Influential Women in Energy Award. She noted that while the nominees varied in experience and impact, each woman made significant contributions.
During the event, three remarkable women were honored for their significant contributions to the Ethiopian energy sector. The Influential Women in Energy Award 2024 was presented to Hiwote Teshome, Tirhas Mebrahtu, and Lensie Edae.
In addition to the awards, the event featured an exhibition highlighting women entrepreneurs and their initiatives, creating a vibrant marketplace for networking and business opportunities. This exhibition aimed to provide a platform for women-led businesses and organizations to showcase their projects and initiatives.
Congratulatory speech was given by H.E Dr. Ing. Sultan Wali, State Minister for Energy Development at the Ministry of Water and Energy, where he congratulated the Awardees. During his speech he emphasized the importance of the energy sector, noting that lack of access to electricity and use of traditional energy means significantly affect the quality of lives of mothers and children. He stated that women’s participation in the energy field is crucial for the country’s growth. He congratulated the award recipients, expressing his belief that their achievements will lead to significant future changes. He is optimistic that the gender gap will soon close, allowing women to make remarkable contributions in the sector.
The closing remark was given by Dr. Firehiwot Girma, V/chairperson of EWiEn. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the day’s success and recognized the importance of collaboration in empowering women and highlighted the inspiring stories of the award recipients. Dr. Firehiwot emphasized that the awards serve as a call to action for continued advocacy for gender equality and empowerment in the energy sector. She thanked the external jury members, the EWiEn management team, and all exhibitors, partners, and attendees for their participation.
Ms. Filagot Tesfaye moderated the 4th Annual Women in Energy 2024 Event. In her role as master of ceremonies, she ensured a smooth flow of the event, provided essential information, invited guests, and led the award presentation.
