Olusegun Ogunsiji

Nigerian renewable energy pioneer who transformed off-grid electrification in West Africa

Olusegun Ogunsiji is the founder of Greeneletric, a Nigerian company that has provided clean energy solutions to over 500,000 rural households across West Africa. His solar microgrid systems reduce dependence on fossil fuels while creating local jobs in communities where 80% of residents lacked electricity access. Launched in 2009, Greeneletric's pay-as-you-go model has become a blueprint for sustainable development, winning the UN's Sustainable Energy for All Award in 2016.

Born in Lagos in 1978, Ogunsiji's engineering background and MBA from Lagos Business School combined to create his unique approach. His 2014 white paper on community-owned energy cooperatives influenced Nigeria's 2015 Renewable Energy Policy. The company's partnership with Siemens Energy since 2018 has expanded its reach to include mini-grids for hospitals and schools in remote areas. Recent innovations include battery storage systems using recycled materials from e-waste.

Ogunsiji's work has created a ripple effect - his training programs have certified 1,500 local technicians and inspired similar ventures in Ghana and Mali. His TED Talk "Lighting Up Africa Without the Grid" has been translated into 8 languages. In 2021, he co-founded the West African Renewable Energy Network (WAREN), a collaboration of 40 companies and governments accelerating the region's energy transition.