Ene Henshaw

Nigerian entrepreneur revolutionizing Africa's renewable energy access through decentralized solutions

Ene Henshaw is the founder and CEO of Greennovate Africa, a social enterprise that has installed over 500 solar microgrids across rural Nigerian communities since its 2020 launch. Her innovative "Solar-as-a-Service" model uses blockchain-based payment systems to provide affordable energy access to off-grid populations, currently serving 250,000+ residents. A MIT Solve fellow, Henshaw's work addresses both energy poverty and climate change through her patented solar storage technology that maintains 95% efficiency in extreme temperatures. Her TED Talk "Powering Progress Without the Grid" highlighted how her solutions reduce deforestation by replacing kerosene use. In partnership with UNDP, she developed the African Energy Transition Toolkit, an open-source platform adopted by 12 African governments. Henshaw's impact was recognized through the 2023 African Union's Innovation Excellence Award and her company's $12M Series A funding round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Her autobiography 《Lighting the Dark Continent》 details her journey from engineering student to social entrepreneur. Recent collaborations with Siemens Energy have expanded her solar solutions into healthcare facilities, powering 85 rural clinics by 2024. Ene's initiatives are projected to avoid 1.2 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030, making her a pivotal figure in Africa's energy transition.