#GreenGrowthGuy acting for Africa
Adedoyin Adeleke
- Thesis title: Energy Access-Development Nexus at National and Local Contexts
- PhD Tesi Supervisor: Emanuela Colombo
- Phd: STEN, 33° cycle (starting year 2017)
- B. Sc: 2013, Mechanical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
- M. Sc: 2018, Energy Studies (Specialisation: Renewable Energy), University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Tell us something to introduce yourself
Based on the impact of my various initiatives, I was listed among the 40 Under 40 list of Changemakers in the global solar energy industry (Renewable Energy World, USA) and also emerged as the first African to be named in 30 Under 30 list of Changemakers in Environmental Education (North America Association for Environmental Education, USA), both in 2018. Also in 2018, I was named among the Top 100 Shakers and Movers in e-learning in Africa by Bob Little Press and Public Relations, United Kingdom. These are in additions to various scholarships, grants and fellowships from diverse institutions and organisations across the globe.
Funded by a fellowship from the German government, I was one of the 21 young sustainable energy professionals who participated in the 69th UNEP/UNESCO/BMUB International Short Course on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in 2016 at Technische Universität Dresden, Germany. I also served as Country Contributors to Global Status Reports (2017 and 2018 editions) on renewable energy published by Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) and UNEP’s 2017 1 Gigaton Report which tracked contributions of renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes in developing countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, among other contributions to causes for green growth and education development globally.
I am convinced without any doubt and I always like to say, ‘Africa is too rich to be poor, I choose to Act’ and with this motivation, I have made impact footprint on education, human capacity development, innovation and policy for green growth in 22 African countries through various initiatives.
Tell us about your research.
What do you hope is the impact of your research?
What aspect of your work is most exciting you right now?
Why did you choose to start this experience and why did you choose Polimi? (Did your expectations have become reality?)
My experience at POLIMI is altogether memorable for good. Indeed, for as long as I remember my experience about the PhD, a major highlight of my thought would be my Supervisor, Prof. Emanuela Colombo. Actually, she is my first pointer to POLIMI and she gave all necessary support throughout the PhD programme. I should also mention that, thanks to her recommendation, I had the privilege of being a Speaker at the 2018 Conference on Development and Cooperation organised by the Italian Government. Indeed, it was my first experience speaking on the same podium with two heads of nations, ministers among other leaders in government. No doubt, I can never forget her. I must indeed mention the support mechanisms from Italian Government (which provided me scholarship from 2017-2020 for the PhD), the University with amazing terrain and easy-to-navigate system, PhD fund for research, and my research group, UNESCO Chair in Energy for Sustainable Development. No doubt, POLIMI exceeded my expectation by wide margin.
How would you describe this period of your life with three adjectives?
What are your plans after the end of the PhD?
Moreover, before commencing my PhD programme, I established a non-governmental organisation, then named the International Support Network for African Development (ISNAD-Africa) to implement a green growth initiative in Africa I conceived. I commenced my PhD on November 1, 2017 and I launched out the non-governmental organisation exactly a month afterwards, on December 1, 2017. While on the PhD , I dedicated some time to ISNAD-Africa such that in five years, we have had footprint of our impact in 22 African countries. Over time, I have developed many new innovations and concepts to accelerate green growth in Africa. Upon the completion of my PhD, I rebranded the organisation into Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network (Green Growth Africa) in preparation for the launching of our new initiatives. I look forward to strengthening Green Growth Africa to increase it impact on the continent and beyond.