05 June, Lisbon, Portugal | The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) has appointed Juliana Kainga as Director of GWEC Africa and the Africa WindPower (AWP) platform, strengthening the organisation's leadership as the continent enters a critical decade for renewable energy deployment.
Kainga succeeds Wangari Muchiri, who is stepping down after five years as Director of GWEC Africa. During her tenure, Africa's installed wind capacity grew from 6 GW to 10 GW, funding mobilisation increased tenfold, and GWEC expanded its regional presence while supporting the development of national wind associations and industry bodies across the continent, including the establishment of the Nigerian Wind Energy Council. Wangari will continue to support GWEC and AWP in an advisory capacity.
Kainga brings more than 15 years of experience in renewable energy development and investment across African markets. Her expertise spans project development, commercial structuring, and project finance, with experience working across East, West, and Southern Africa. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles at major energy companies including GE, Enel Green Power, and Vivo Energy, and is a co-founder and Co-Chairperson of the Electricity Sector Association of Kenya (ESAK).
As Director of Africa WindPower, Kainga will lead GWEC's efforts to accelerate wind energy deployment across the continent, working closely with governments, investors, developers, and industry stakeholders to address barriers to project delivery and unlock Africa's vast wind energy potential.
"Africa has so far installed 10 GW of wind projects showcasing considerable growth over the last 5 years of realized wind energy on the continent."
"Alongside this, Africa has almost 200 GW of planned wind projects facing structural gaps in policy, grid infrastructure, alternative routes to market and innovative financing mechanisms to move these projects into construction and operation phases."
"I am excited to get started with this important work at GWEC to unlock investment, strengthen local industries, and help realise Africa’s vast wind energy potential."
"I look forward to collaborating closely with GWEC members, partners, and policymakers to explore different ways to accelerate wind deployment ”
Juliana Kainga, Director – Africa WindPower, Global Wind Energy Council