Tunde Akerele
CEO of Tatanga Energy in Zimbabwe
What made you decide to start this project?
Tatanga Energy, founded in 2018, is a Southern African renewable energy developer. Our diverse team shares a common goal: contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future. We believe these goals are achievable, and many transformative technologies for a brighter future are already in existence. Our name, "Tatanga Energy," translates from Shona to 'we have begun,' reflecting our journey over the past five years—full of ups and downs. Despite challenges rampant in entrepreneurial journeys, we've built a development portfolio with various renewable energy projects at different stages in Zimbabwe.
Where do you see yourself and your project in three years?
It's challenging to predict the future, but both personally and corporately, meeting various targets over the next three years would be really rewarding. Our team's focus is transitioning from a company with development assets to operating a generating asset portfolio, aiming for over 100 MW within the next three to four years. Recognizing the interconnected energy future of the sub-region, we're keen to explore opportunities beyond Zimbabwe, particularly in neighboring countries.
On a personal level, I aim to broaden my skillset, particularly in infrastructure project development. I'm excited about nurturing the potential of marginalized populations, especially women and youth, and plan to dedicate more time and energy to establishing mentoring programs for unlocking this potential.
If you could step into someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be, and what experiences or insights do you hope to gain during that time?
If I could step into someone else's shoes for a day, it would be Elon Musk. Arguably one of the most talented entrepreneurs of our generation, he is renowned for pushing boundaries and advocating a bold vision for clean energy. Despite being somewhat enigmatic, and with potential disagreements over his opinions and personal philosophies, there's much to learn from him. My main goal would be to gain insights into the frenetic innovation at the forefront of energy technology and understand how visionary leadership and technical audacity can surmount seemingly insurmountable challenges.