Conference speakers

The Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi, EGH, is the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum. Prior to joining elective politics, Mr. Wandayi had acquired extensive experience in strategic and operational management, and people leadership within a multinational business environment.

Rev. Dr. Omutia drives national productivity initiatives in the Office of Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, by developing and implementing strategies, programs, and mechanisms to enhance efficiency across the public sector, ensuring alignment with Kenya's broader public service reforms and performance goals and the BETA agenda.

Umutoniwase Anitha is the Founder and CEO of EcoGreen Solutions Ltd, a Rwandan renewable energy company providing clean cooking technologies, including LPG systems, improved cookstoves, and biomass pellets. She is an experienced Project and Human Resource Manager, holding an MBA in Project Management, with over ten years of professional experience implementing peacebuilding and social justice initiatives. Driven by a strong commitment to climate action and human rights, Anitha founded EcoGreen Solutions Ltd to address the urgent need for clean, efficient, safe, and affordable cooking solutions for households across Rwanda. Through a market-based approach, she is contributing to reducing harmful emissions across the region.

Highly qualified mining engineer with an Honors Master's degree from Imperial College, London. Holds extensive experience in global mining, particularly in the UK, Australia, Canada, and South Africa. Formerly associated with major investment banks, specializing in financing mining projects, notably in Africa. Founder of Gathoni Muchai Investments, actively engaged in the mining and metals sector. Currently CEO of Marula Mining Plc, a London-listed company focusing on battery metals, lithium production, and copper and graphite projects.

Dr. Eng. John M. Mativo currently works as the Executive Director of the Laser Infrastructure and Technology Solutions company (LITES), a subsidiary of CPF Group focusing on Infrastructure and ICT solutions. John is a Consulting Engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) and a Certified Public Private Partnership Professional (CP3P). He has more than thirty (30) years of cumulative working and consulting experience in both public and private sectors in Kenya. Eng. Mativo previously worked for the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, rising from General Manager, Technical Services to Managing Director. During that period, he led the planning and construction of high voltage transmission infrastructure, increasing the national grid by 6,000km of transmission lines and 76 substations resulting in additional 6,400MWA transformation capacity. Dr. Mativo finalized the commercial closure of seven transmission infrastructure projects valued at US$ 1 billion.

Jacktone is the Chief Executive Officer of Hung Pump Kenya, a pioneering agroforestry firm established in 2017 that transforms climate action into high-yield commercial opportunities. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, is a Chartered Marketer, and is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Sustainable Development Studies. Under his leadership, the firm designs and manages large-scale, nature-based projects integrating agriculture, forestry, and technology to mitigate climate change while driving rural economic growth. With deep expertise in the restoration economy, Jacktone specializes in unlocking the financial viability of regenerative value chains. At the Africa-Australia Clean Energy Conference 2026, Jacktone highlights how nature-based solutions and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) serve as vital mechanisms for the mining and energy sectors to offset hard-to-abate emissions and secure social license to operate. His insights provide global energy and extraction leaders with actionable frameworks for integrating carbon trade markets, agroforestry, and landscape restoration into their ESG strategies—ensuring a just, inclusive, and profitable transition to net-zero.

Jean Pierre Munyemana is an agronomist and the founder of Egera Umuhinzi Initiative, a platform bridging agricultural research, policy, and on-the-ground farmer adoption in Rwanda. He is also the Managing Director of SMARTFARM Solutions Ltd, where he leads the deployment of practical, climate-smart agricultural solutions aimed at improving productivity and resilience for smallholder farmers. With experience spanning regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and farmer extension, Jean Pierre has worked with institutions including MINAGRI and RAB to translate policy into actionable practices at scale. His work focuses on integrating agriculture and energy systems through circular economy models, converting agricultural waste into organic fertilizers and biogas to reduce costs and improve sustainability for farmers. Through his leadership, he continues to champion innovative approaches that strengthen food security, environmental stewardship, and rural economic development across Rwanda and the wider region.

Professor George Kimathi is a distinguished academic, researcher, and higher education leader with extensive experience in teaching, research, university administration, and institutional governance. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Applied Mathematics and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from the University of Nairobi, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with Education (Physics and Chemistry) from the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, where he graduated summa cum laude. He also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice from York St. John’s University in the United Kingdom and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). A Certified Bioethicist, Professor Kimathi has played a key role in establishing and managing Institutional Scientific Research Ethics Review Boards, ensuring the highest ethical standards throughout research processes. His scholarly work spans multiple disciplines, including Applied Mathematics, Psychology, Ecology, Dynamical Systems, Disease Modelling, Species Competition, and the application of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning. He has published extensively and presented research at numerous international conferences. Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Kimathi has held several senior leadership positions, including Acting Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University Registrar, Faculty Dean, Head of Department, and University Examinations Officer. In these roles, he has successfully led initiatives that enhanced institutional effectiveness, academic quality, governance, and operational efficiency across higher education institutions. Professor Kimathi is deeply committed to mentorship and academic development, having supervised numerous Master's and PhD students to successful completion. His innovative teaching methods, dedication to student success, and passion for research have earned him widespread recognition within the academic community. In addition to his academic leadership, Professor Kimathi is a highly skilled data analyst with expertise in big data analytics and business intelligence platforms, including Power BI. His ability to transform complex datasets into actionable insights has supported evidence-based decision-making and strengthened research outcomes across diverse fields. Recognized for his contributions to education, research, and institutional leadership, Professor Kimathi continues to be a respected voice in higher education, research ethics, data analytics, and academic innovation, inspiring students, scholars, and professionals across the region and beyond.

Jean Paul Ndayisabye is a Climate Finance, Carbon Market, Renewable Energy, and Environmental & Social Safeguards expert with more than 17 years of professional experience across Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, South Korea, and India. He is proficient in Kinyarwanda, English, French, Kiswahili, and Luganda, with a working knowledge of German. He is the Founder and Lead Consultant of an environmental and climate advisory firm specializing in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) advisory services, climate change adaptation, spatial planning, emission reduction frameworks, carbon market project development, and renewable energy initiatives. For the past six years, Jean Paul has worked with GOPA Worldwide Consultants, a German-based international consultancy, providing technical support to Rwanda's Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA). In this role, he has assessed environmental, social, governance, and climate resilience compliance for infrastructure projects financed by KfW, AFD, and LuxDev, covering roads, water supply systems, healthcare facilities, schools, administrative buildings, and electricity infrastructure. Throughout these assignments, he has actively championed the integration of renewable and low-carbon energy solutions into public infrastructure development. Over the past decade, Jean Paul has led or contributed to more than 80 Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Environmental Audits across Rwanda and the wider East African region. He also possesses extensive expertise in carbon markets and climate finance, having managed a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) programme for seven years, first as Programme Coordinator and later as Country Director. The programme generated and traded Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) through the distribution of improved cookstoves to rural communities, enabling more than 800,000 households to transition from traditional three-stone cooking methods while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits. He is currently leading the development of a carbon market project focused on Rwanda's avocado plantations, creating new opportunities for climate finance and sustainable land management. Jean Paul has developed particular expertise in waste-to-energy and circular economy solutions. During his professional training in Renewable Energy and Climate Finance at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in Germany, he undertook technical visits to advanced waste management and resource recovery facilities, gaining practical experience in landfill gas recovery, methane emission reduction, waste-to-energy technologies, renewable energy generation, circular economy systems, and carbon credit development. He holds a Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation from the University of Rwanda and is a Certified Expert in Renewable Energy and Climate Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management. He is an Accredited Environmental Assessor and Practitioner certified by the Rwanda Association of Professional Environmental Practitioners (RAPEP), an Accredited Mediator trained by the Edwards Mediation Academy (USA), and serves as the Founder Member and Chairperson of RAPEP, the national professional body representing approximately 347 environmental professionals and more than 100 consulting firms. Jean Paul's multidisciplinary expertise in climate finance, carbon markets, renewable energy, waste-to-energy, landfill gas recovery, ESG, and environmental safeguards positions him as a leading advisor in developing innovative projects that transform waste into clean energy while delivering sustainable environmental, social, and economic impact.