Joan Chahenza
Joan Chahenza is a Kenyan energy-finance specialist mobilising capital for off-grid electrification across the continent. As Director of Energy Access Financial Advisory at the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), she structures blended-finance vehicles that link concessional debt, results-based grants, and carbon revenues, unlocking affordable power for remote communities. Since joining AMDA in 2022 she has guided members to raise more than US $350 million, catalysing 1,500 new minigrids and connecting 2.3 million people and 1,400 health facilities across eight countries.
Chahenza built her expertise during a decade at KenGen, Kenya’s state-owned generator, where she rose to Chief Financial Analyst and led negotiations on geothermal, wind, and hydro power-purchase agreements exceeding US $1 billion. Her landmark deal, the 86 MW Olkaria I Unit 6 geothermal PPA, helped drive Kenya’s renewable share above 90 percent.
She holds an MSc in Finance and a BA in Economics from the University of Nairobi, is a Certified Public Accountant, and earned a Climate & Renewable Energy Finance qualification from the Frankfurt School. Currently completing an MSc in Energy Policy at the University of Sussex, she also mentors young professionals through the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition. Named an Africa Power & Energy Elite (2021) and World Energy Council Future Energy Leader (2020), Chahenza champions data-driven, gender-inclusive finance that lights up Africa’s last-mile communities.