The Women in Energy series continues with representatives from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan. These women have each contributed to the African energy sector through their consistent hard work and sheer determination. Through their efforts to ensure an inclusive workforce and encourage opportunities for women in energy throughout Africa, they are not only valuable assets to the industry but role models for women throughout Africa.
Elizabeth Rogo: Kenya
Elizabeth Rogo has over 19 years international experience in the global energy sector with global companies including BP Services, Baker Hughes and Weatherford International. Trained in Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Consultancy, Business Development and Management, she has excelled in the sector, earning coveted leadership roles.
In 2011 Rogo was employed as Business Development Manager for Weatherford International’s East Africa division based in Kampala, Uganda and in 2013 she was promoted to Senior Business Development Manager. She quickly advanced by being appointed Country Manager for Kenya and East Africa Area Manager (including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Ethiopia) between 2015 and 2017. Subsequently, she was the first women in Weatherford’s Sub-Saharan division to hold both country and regional management roles.
In 2017 Rogo started her own Oilfield Services company, Tsavo Oilfield Services, a premier energy consultancy serving the oil and gas, geothermal and mining sectors within the Eastern African region, another first for a woman in Kenya.
Additionally, Rogo is an active mentor for many young professional women in the industry and strives for the empowerment and integration of women by actively promoting gender diversification in the sector. She is also an internationally sought-after speaker and moderator on gender diversity and local content in the oil and gas industry.
Irene Nafuna Muloni: Uganda
Irene Nafuna Muloni is a Ugandan electrical engineer, businesswoman and politician. She holds an honors Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSc.E.Eng) from Makerere University and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Since graduating, Muloni has been gainfully employed in leadership and management roles in the energy sector for the last 23 years including Manager Customer Service, Manager Information Technology, Senior Protection Engineer, Senior Communications Engineer and Communications Engineer for the Government Electricity Utility. In 2002 she was appointed Managing Director of the Ugandan Electricity Distribution Company Limited, a Ugandan parastatal company responsible for the distribution of electrical power to both commercial and retail customers nationwide.
Thereafter, she entered politics by successfully contesting for the Bulambuli District Women’s Representative in the ninth Ugandan Parliament in which she held the position from 2011 until 2016. On May 27, 2011 she was appointed Minister of Energy and Minerals by President Yoweri Museveni and held this position until December 2019.
On a part-time basis she serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Finance Trust Bank, the first Women’s Bank in Uganda. She is an advocate for gender equality, women’s empowerment and the utilization of science and technology for sustainable development.
Victoria Otieno: South Sudan
Victoria Otieno is the managing director for Alpha Commercial Bank in South Sudan. Despite having a background in finance, her work as managing director enables a direct contribution to the South Sudanese energy sector.
Alpha Commercial Bank plays a role in South Sudan’s oil and gas industry by bringing oil companies, such as the state oil company Nilepet, together with funding partners. Additionally, they outsource other funding partners on behalf of companies when they are unable to meet requirements.
South Sudan is the world’s youngest country, having gained independence in 2011, and therefore holding a leadership role such as managing director is an impressive feat. Otieno is an inspiration for women in South Sudan and throughout Africa, proving that a contribution to the energy sector is not limited to the oil and gas industry alone, but the collective workforce.
