The 25 Under 40 Energy Women Rising Stars celebrates the exceptional achievements of women who are shaping the future of the African energy sector. Among these trailblazers is Asha Amani, General Manager at UAE-based energy services company INTERAFCON. Amani blends strategy and leadership to expedite complex energy projects, contributing to the optimal development and exploitation of energy resources for sustainable growth across the Middle East and Africa.
Could you provide a brief overview of your journey in the energy industry that led to your current role? What are some key achievements or milestones that you are particularly proud of?
I chose an Electrical Engineering background, with a specialization in Instrumentation and Control, which provided me with a strong technical foundation and has been invaluable in understanding and identifying areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions within FMCG industrial setup, back in Kenya. Currently, I serve as General Manager at INTERAFCON. I started off as a Business Development Manager and was determined to learn as much as I could in the energy industry. I have been actively involved in spearheading various projects and collaborating with industry leaders.
I registered my company TETCO Consultancies, which now serves as the ‘Manager’ at INTERAFCON. At TETCO, I serve as a Business Development Consultant, overseeing project management, resource planning, business development strategies and leading commercial negotiation and contract reviews with clients. My biggest achievement is realizing that I have inspired and assisted female industry counterparts, knowingly and unknowingly.
The energy industry is known for its complexities. What were some significant challenges you faced along the way, and how did you navigate through them to achieve your goals?
The industry is very complex, especially with current energy transition conversations. The complexities arise due to institutions ignoring that every country, region and continent is unique, and one solution may/will not fit all. As a service provider and a consultant, it becomes challenging to negotiate through projects, as the other party might not be able to see the local objectives that need to be fulfilled.
The sector is also male dominated. As a woman in professional settings, I often face meetings where my abilities are unfairly questioned and my achievements are diminished through micro-expressions, microaggressions and by others taking credit for what I have achieved. Despite these challenges, I made a conscious decision to understand that de-legitimizing my contributions does not necessarily mean that I do not offer value.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to excel in the energy sector? Are there any specific strategies or mindsets that helped you overcome obstacles and reach your current position?
I believe in the transformative potential women hold for the energy industry. Any young aspiring women in the sector should not be afraid to unlearn things that no longer serve her, re-learn what she might have lost and learn new things that would set her apart. I found that actively seeking opportunities to be in spaces with experts within the energy space, and forging conversations would allow me to gain immense knowledge of the industry. Be prepared to be scared, but also be prepared to do it scared. In order to find sustainable solutions within the energy space, there are very difficult conversations that are held and will need to be held. The space, being very male dominated and western-led, can prove to bring its own fair share of challenges, including intimidation from counterparts.
A career in energy can be demanding. Could you describe a typical day in your life?
As a key decision maker in three companies, a morning would include listing actions that I need to accomplish by the end of the day and running through emails to flag an important item that would need immediate action. I would then read industry articles to understand what adjustments need to be made in our strategies. The afternoon is dedicated mostly for meetings, either with my team, business partners, business friends and clients. I am also learning to take breaks, as I noticed that I had been over-compensating and my day has been all about work.
Looking ahead, what changes or advancements do you hope to see in the energy sector? How do you envision your role in shaping that future?
Comprehensive strategies need to be implemented to tackle energy poverty in developing countries. I envision these strategies developed by locals as they are fully versed on the available means and resources for that region or country. Technology should be adopted for a just energy transition. For instance, current and planned technology advancements should ensure reductions in emissions from traditional energy sources while ensuring an accelerated rollout of renewables and affordability of energy.
I envision my role as a key contributor to the energy transition conversations by bringing local and international policy makers, energy experts, financial institutions and the community together to discuss and align on the objectives of key energy projects decisions. While doing that, I see myself talking to young women and men about the learnings I will begathering from sitting at a round-table full of experts.
