Episode 47: Tech Expertise for Energy Access: Building a Sustainable Future in Central Africa – MyEnergyLife Series

Welcome to the 47th episode of the #MyEnergyLife series, a weekly LinkedIn feature designed to highlight, engage with, and empower emerging energy professionals across Africa. Through a series of articles, we will explore the many career paths that exist in the energy industry. Our aim is to provide valuable insights and counsel to support the career aspirations of young professionals in the energy industry.

In this episode, we meet Ivan Bekolo, Business development director at EDF Cameroon. Ivan Bekolo shares his story of how he got started in the energy industry, detailing his challenges and offering invaluable advice to fellow young professionals seeking their path in this dynamic industry.

Full Name

Ivan Bekolo

Current Company Name

EDF Cameroon

Current Job Title

Business development Director

Specialization

Production (Renewables)

Country of Origin

Cameroon

Tell us about your journey in the energy industry.

I started my career 18 years ago in tech. From IT analyst to regional director for a telco company, my first touch with the energy industry was related to the digital transformation of the national electricity company in 2018. I was working in process optimization and dematerialization. It is during this time that I sharpened my knowledge of this industry. I started,based on my marketing and go-to-market experiences in the telco industry, advising some Solar Home System distribution companies in West and Central Africa. And in 2022, I started a new challenge as business development director covering Central Africa for EDF , the world leader in decarbonized energy. I oversee C&I and off-grid development in this market.

What do you do in your current role at your company?

I oversee two business lines: C&I and off-grid development. I develop electricity generation solutions with PV and energy efficiency for the industrial market in central Africa. In the off-grid market, we are developing electrification programs with governments for rural areas.

Could you describe your typical day at work?

My typical day of work always starts with C&I projects in development. This part is the most challenging due to the competitiveness of the market. We need to move fast with a personalized approach. The second part of the day is dedicated to operations. For the offgrid business line, it is more about strategy because this activity integrates far more stakeholders than the previous one. I need to be calm, so the end of the day is the best moment, after the rush to deal with it.

“I am passionate about marketing and finance, and my main interlocutors during a negotiation are the CEOs and CFOs.”

What are some of the challenges you have faced in the industry?

The main challenge we face is the lack of knowledge of some players in the field of solar energy. The lack of professionalism of the latter slowed the adoption of this means of energy production. A large number of projects prove to be inoperative due to poor analyses or inoperative business plans. There are many abandoned projects due to design errors or economic models that do not include the maintenance or financing of this maintenance. This context forces us to do intense pedagogical work.

What is the most fun thing you love about your work?

The moment when I take the most pleasure in my activity is a business plan construction. I am passionate about marketing and finance, and my main interlocutors during a negotiation are the CEOs and CFOs. Beyond the technical aspects that vary very little, it is the economic approach on which we rely to conclude a case. It is this moment of preparation that gives me the most pleasure.

How do you balance work and life?

Our profession is not as critical as that of a doctor. It is therefore not difficult to combine professional and private life. Apart from calls for tenders which can be time consuming and encroach on the time reserved for family life, or travel, it is rather easy to link the two.

What are the core hard skills someone in your field should have?

Business planning, finance and electrical engineering skills

What soft skills should someone in your field have?

Stakeholder management, cultural openness, patience, curiosity and good stress management

What is the best thing about your work?

The most interesting aspect in the development activity is the fact that it requires continuous adaptation according to the type of customer we meet. The problems are very different even within the same industry. The challenge becomes the construction of a tailor-made business model for each type of problem raised by our clients. This diversity does not allow monotony to persist and allows us to always be in a process of permanent reflection. This monotony is even worse when we discuss the implementation of the program. The integration of economic and political issues is very enriching.

What would you consider a highlight of your career?

The highlight of my career in the energy sector is the signing of our first contract. C&I in Central Africa only started to develop from 2021, with very low grid energy prices. Signing a C&I contract in this context was a challenge.

Since 2023, electricity rates for businesses have increased by 12% and will continue to rise at an annual rate of 5 to 10% until 2026. This makes solar energy cheaper than grid energy.

“Always focus on value for your customer, not on the technology!”

What are you passionate about outside of work?

Basketball is my main passion. I’ve been doing it for almost thirty years.

How do you think that your work makes a difference in the energy space?

Our approach to the energy business allows all stakeholders of the client company to understand the energy issues and their impacts on the global business. It then facilitates consensus and decision-making.

We build our business plan, hand in hand with the technical and engagement teams of our customers. The transparency of our solutions and the financing model we can graft on allows our clients to focus on their core business.

What advice do you have for someone new to the industry?

Always focus on value for your customer, not on the technology!

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See you in the next article!