Africa Energy Forum 2025

David is an onshore renewables and M&A specialist with 15+ years of wind consultancy experience. He has worked as project manager and project director on over 60 international wind and solar technical due diligence assignments, including vendor, acquisition and pre-financial close projects for single sites and large portfolios at the operational and early development stage. David has specialist knowledge in wind farm operation, technology and construction and significant experience in carrying out WTG and construction site inspections. His country experience includes South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, Egypt, UK, Spain, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Greece, Pakistan, Jordan, Australia, USA, Latvia, Lithuania and Scandinavia.

Dieter is a Partner within ERM and African lead for Renewables and Green Hydrogen. He has over 16 years of experience in major (Category A) capital projects in Africa. Dieter has practical experience in addressing environmental and social issues related to large projects in complex technical, regulatory and political environments in accordance with international lender requirements (including amongst others the requirements of the WB E&S Safeguard Policies and the IFC PSs), and has supported clients in all phases (design, construction, operation) of their Projects. In addition to renewables and green hydrogen, he has experience in mining, infrastructure, power, industrial, and oil and gas.

Dieter has led several green hydrogen and renewable projects throughout Africa. In particular, Dieter is currently leading separate ESIAs for a major green hydrogen, geothermal and wind developments in Kenya. These ESIAs are being undertaken in conformance to international best practice and local Kenyan legislative requirements. Moreover, Dieter has recently supported green hydrogen developers by undertaking an E&S constraints mapping scoping study to identify environmental and social constraints associated with several potential renewable projects (wind, solar, hydro and geothermal) in Ethiopia, which are intended to be used to power green hydrogen development in East Africa. Dieter has also led the development of a permitting and consents mapping assignment for a major global renewable developer wanting to develop one of South Africa’s largest green hydrogen production and storage projects. In addition to green hydrogen projects, Dieter has led multiple renewable (solar, wind and hydro) projects throughout Africa. Experience in green hydrogen and renewables includes supporting clients in managing E&S risks throughout the capital project cycle, including during construction and operations. He also supports clients with strategic ESG planning and advisory support and integration of E&S into the engineering design phase of projects.

As a Partner in the world’s leading pure play sustainability consultancy, Dieter Rodewald is excited to attend AEF 2025 in Cape Town. This year's theme, "Africa United," aligns with Dieter's commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with leading organizations across the continent. Dieter looks forward to collaborating with developers, lenders, and other attendees to help clients tackle complex sustainability challenges in major capital projects across Africa.

The AEF offers a unique platform to discuss and implement innovative solutions for Africa's energy challenges, promoting environmental stewardship and social equity. Dieter is particularly enthusiastic about the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025 initiative, which highlights the importance of a diversified energy mix – combining renewables, gas, and flexible power solutions – to ensure reliable electricity access across Africa. This initiative emphasizes the critical role of collaboration and innovation in achieving sustainable energy goals.

Joseph is a Partner within ERM with over twelve years of experience in transaction due diligence (ESDD), ESG integration and implementation, sustainable finance, impact investing, climate analysis (net zero, target setting, GHG inventory, TCFD, climate risk), ESG regulatory developments (SFDR, CSRD), sustainability capacity building and sustainable energy solutions.  

Joseph has twenty years of investment experience across emerging, frontier and African markets and experience across asset classes. Joseph has managed an impact fund where he saw the opportunity to invest in companies based on ESG principles. He has a background as an investment analyst and portfolio manager in the financial service sector. He has a particular interest in ESG and climate risks and how they impact entities from an operational, credit risk and equity valuation perspective.

Joseph has led several complex sustainability projects throughout Africa. Joseph is currently leading several ESDDs for global investment firms that are investing in African businesses and projects where alignment with international standards is a priority. These ESDDs are being undertaken in conformance to international best practice and local African legislative requirements. Moreover, Joseph has been particularly innovative in aligning global best practice with both African and local company sustainability requirements. He has led and completed several large climate, reporting and ESG projects for the largest financial service institutions across Africa.

He has experience working in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, Liberia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and across South Africa.

Nigel is an accomplished environmental professional with 23 years of project experience. He has effectively led complex environmental assessments and transaction-related due diligence evaluations for over 2GW of renewable, thermal and T&D projects across African. He works routinely with developers and financial institutions taking a pragmatic approach to aligning studies with in with international standards including Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards.