Audacious initiatives for livelihood & dignity

Gigawatt empowers people in Africa by pioneering clean energy in the most vulnerable communities.

Renewable energy generated to date

0 kWh*

People benefiting from our projects

2500000 +

Average GDP per capita in current project countries

US$ 0

Investment mobilized across three continents

US$ 750000000 *

*Total of team’s global projects

With more than 600 million Africans lacking electricity, we’re not satisfied with bringing only renewable energy solutions. We also bring the power and innovation to reduce poverty, conflict, exploitation, and climate change.

toward our goal of 21,496,291,875 kWh generated by new and existing projects over the 25-year life of our solar panels

0 kWh

Who We Are

Shared purpose, two distinct organizations

Gigawatt Global

Gigawatt Impact

Gigawatt Global (Coöperatief U.A.) is a pioneering renewable energy developer that builds and finances utility-scale solar projects through equity investment. Gigawatt Impact is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses grants to expand energy access and strengthen livelihoods across Africa.

Empowering communities with clean energy partnerships

What Gigawatt has achieved

Gigawatt brings renewable electricity to African villages, universities, entrepreneurs, agriculture, health care, and businesses – increasing global innovation and reducing poverty at the same time.

Rwanda Solar Field

8.5 MW grid-connected solar field at the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village. Received $715,000 in grants, which unlocked $23 million in project finance for the SPV.

Solar-Powered Healthcare in Kenya

We powered two hospitals using solar energy, lessening the dependence on diesel and ensuring power during black-outs.

Burundi Solar Fields

8.6 MW grid-connected solar field at Mubuga Village. Received $300,000 in grants, which unlocked $16 million in project finance for the SPV.

Burundi Solar Street Lights

In the center of Bujumbura and Gitega, Burundi, these solar-powered street lights extend local working hours and enhance personal safety, especially of women.

Solar Field in Glynn County Georgia

22.5 MW field in Georgia, USA, serving the racially and ethnically diverse community there.

Why this work matters

Clean energy creates opportunities far beyond electricity

Renewable energy projects affect businesses, communities, families, and future opportunities. In this short message, Eilaf shares what this work can mean from the perspective of someone closely connected to the communities Gigawatt serves.

Why Gigawatt

Built for the complexities of emerging markets

Renewable energy projects in the developing world require more than technical expertise - they require partnership.

They require local trust, patient development, adaptable financing, and the ability to keep moving when conditions change. We combine international experience with strong local relationships to help viable projects reach operation.

Deep market experience

Experience navigating the regulatory, financial, and operational challenges that can slow promising projects.

De-risking

Diversified portfolio of countries, multiplier financing, long-term contracts, and trusted partnerships de-risk your investment.

Locally rooted partnerships

Relationships with governments, businesses, communities, and local organizations shape every stage of development.

Creative capital solutions

Strategic partnerships and blended financing structures move viable projects more swiftly from opportunity to implementation.

Long-term commitment

Gigawatt stays engaged through the development process, bringing persistence and continuity to complex projects.

Team spotlight

Where technical expertise meets community impact

Dr. Hanna Klein is a solar energy expert, researcher, and project leader whose work bridges technical planning with the realities of the communities Gigawatt serves. She works alongside local partners to help turn renewable energy opportunities into practical projects that can create jobs, expand economic opportunity, and improve everyday life.

“Women farmers in the communities we serve in Africa tell me that without clean, reliable electricity for efficient irrigation and food storage, their families have enough food to eat for only two months/year. Thinking about 10 months of food insecurity motivates me – as an engineer and a mother – to research, design, implement, and ensure the technical success of our solar projects for local relevance and long-term impact.”

Team spotlight

Building the partnerships that move clean energy forward

Ayo Olumide Akinleye brings extensive experience leading utility-scale, commercial, and off-grid solar projects. Driven by a belief that reliable, affordable energy can expand economic opportunity and improve quality of life, he works to turn promising renewable energy opportunities into viable projects with the partnerships and investment needed to succeed.

Ayo works across the technical, commercial, and relationship-building sides of renewable energy development. He brings together developers, investors, technology providers, government stakeholders, and development partners to help structure projects that can attract investment and deliver reliable energy where it is needed.

Meet Our Team

Some of the visionaries powering Gigawatt's projects

Josef Abramowitz

CEO & President of Gigawatt Global, Co-Founder of Gigawatt Impact

I am passionate about social justice – specifically climate justice, because access to clean and affordable power elevates human dignity.

Howie Rodenstein

Chair of Advisory Board

As a solar-energy and health-industry entrepreneur, my passion is to create blended finance models to scale our impact and guide leadership teams.

Dr. Weldon Turner

Chief Operations and Compliance Officer, Managing Director, Gigawatt Zambia

I manage operations, policy, strategy, and finance, so that Gigawatt can empower people through developing and financing clean-energy projects.

The Honorable Dr. Faith Kunihira

Former MP, Co-Founder The Abundance Initiative

I’m establishing Gigawatt’s Abundance Center in Uganda, delivering clean energy, productive use, and agricultural efficiency to local small-holder farmers, especially women.

Aryeh Green

Chief Strategy Officer, Gigawatt Global. Co-Founder/Treasurer, Gigawatt Impact

I’m at Gigawatt to galvanize resources that empower people and change lives by bringing renewable energy to the planet’s most vulnerable communities.

Patrick Nzitunga

VP for Africa, Gigawatt Impact; Co-Managing Director, Burundi PURE Power Africa

My involvement in all aspects of Gigawatt’s Burundi solar PV project enables me to lead “Abundance” projects with local teams.

John Adelola

Business Development, Nigeria

As co-lead of UKALD’s operations, I facilitate strategic market entry for Gigawatt Global and support the development of Gigawatt’s business operations in Nigeria (especially with universities).

Senait Demitri

Country Representative for Ethiopia, Namibia, Malawi, and Eswatini

I serve as Gigawatt’s honorary ambassador to the African Union, the UN Economic Commission on Africa, and other international bodies.

Akiva Turner

Senior Financial Analyst

I conduct financial modeling and deal structuring for Gigawatt’s renewable-energy, community-benefit projects in Burundi, South Sudan, Nigeria, and elsewhere.

Emmanuel Chilufya

Project Consultant, Zambia

I leverage my knowledge in Zambia’s energy sector and service on local boards to lead clean-energy-initiative development in Zambia.

Dr. Hanna H. Klein

Sr. Consultant for Project Development and Impact — Burundi and beyond

I get energized by being in the field with our communities–especially women. Gigawatt is dedicated to the environment and the communities themselves.

Michael Lustig

Investor / Sr. Board Advisor, New York

I focus on impact investing and joined Gigawatt because its rare quadruple-bottom-line model magnifies impact in multiple ways.

Olumide Ayo Akinleye

Nigeria Technical Director and Chad Country Manager

My extensive experience planning and implementing solar projects helps Gigawatt to drive impactful renewable energy projects at universities in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Advocate Patrick Murungi

Uganda National Coordinator and Director

I am a Ugandan lawyer, renewable-energy enthusiast, philanthropist, and Pan-Africanist. As Gigawatt Global, I promote renewable energy and community empowerment.

Monica Bate

South Sudan Representative

For Gigawatt’s South Sudan projects, I leverage my MSc Environment and humanitarian and faith-based background to deliver clean energy and enhance livelihoods.

Victor Missoy

Kenya Representative

I lead our efforts with Kengen, and green energy for commercial and industrial projects, including data centers and emobility.

Meet the rest of our team

Where we work

Renewable energy with a global reach and local roots

Gigawatt Global develops projects in emerging markets around the world, working with local governments, partners, and communities to turn renewable energy opportunities into lasting infrastructure.

Existing installations

In development

Pipeline of future installations

Gigawatt tackles 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals

Gigawatt projects address 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – not only “Affordable and clean energy” and “Climate Action,” but also through our projects we address poverty; hunger; health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; living wages and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; and sustainable cities and communities. Reaching these goals is based as well on our strategic partnerships.