Rosine is a United Nations Volunteer (UNV) project specialist with UNDP. She is based in Burkina Faso, where she supports the national project.
Each month, the Africa Minigrids Program aims to spotlight an individual from one of the participating countries working tirelessly to advance the initiative at the regional or national level.
February’s Champion of the Month, Rosine Fadila Nonkwendé OUATTARA / OUEDRAOGO, plays a key role in integrating AMP interventions with the groundwork laid by the Liptako Gourma Electrification project, focusing on institutional support, regulatory enhancements, and data digitization.
Q: What’s your story—how did you end up working in the clean energy industry?
A: Graduating as an Energy Engineer in 2018 from the Burkina Faso-based Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), that same year, I joined the private company Sysaid Faso, which was already involved in rural electrification and solar installations. I was promoted to head of the renewable energies department a year later. I led residential and commercial solar installation projects involving direct injection and isolated site/hybrid systems with or without storage. In June 2021, I joined the United Nations National Volunteer Program with the ambition of further contributing to the implementation of policies and regulations favourable to the expansion of rural electrification in the Liptako Gourma countries through the implementation of the project to support rural electrification by renewable energy systems in the Liptako Gourma region.
Q: Briefly describe your role and involvement with AMP so far.
A: I am supporting the UNDP country office in Burkina Faso, particularly the energy program manager, in monitoring the implementation of the national AMP program by the Rural Electrification Agency of Burkina Faso. The AMP program presents areas of intervention on which preliminary work has been carried out by the Electrification de la région du Liptako Gourma project, notably on institutional support, the improvement of regulatory frameworks, and data digitization. I participate in AMP discussion groups and work to pool efforts to enable the AMP project to capitalize on the results of the Liptako Gourma Electrification project, such as the results of the DREI (De-risking Renewable Investment) studies carried out in the three countries, which led to the development of action plans to reduce the risks of private investment in minigrids.
Q: What excites you most about the potential of AMP, specifically in your country?
A: I’m particularly enthusiastic about promoting and popularising the productive use of energy developed by AMP. Indeed, expanding the productive use of energy is a strategy of choice for significantly and sustainably raising the purchasing power of rural communities, guaranteeing them the balance they need to develop their activities while paying their energy bills. This strategy also contributes to women’s economic empowerment, particularly given the key role they play in primary production in rural areas.
Q: What is one thing you want people to know about minigrids and access to electricity?
A: Electricity acts as a catalyst in many areas of activity, and the development of rural communities can only be assured by guaranteeing them reliable and sustainable access. This sustainability requires putting people at the heart of energy planning decisions, promoting private investment, investing in renewable energies and developing productive uses for rural communities. By combining all these efforts, minigrids can create sustainable energy in rural communities.