Ministers & Permanent Secretaries

• H.E. Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi, EGH, MP, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Energy Energy and Petroleum of the Republic of Kenya

His Excellency Kassahun Gofe Balami (PhD) is a distinguished statesman and author currentlynserving as the Minister of Trade and Regional Integration and a Cabinet member of the Federal Democratic Republic ofn Ethiopia. He is the author of Beyond Commodities: Cultivating Competitiveness, Diversified Export. Dr. Kassahun earned his PhD in Urban, Regional, and Local Development Studies from Addis Ababa University, where he is also an Assistant Professor. His scholarly contributions include three published articles in reputable journals focusing on the complexities of export trade.

Samantha Graham-Maré was an entrepreneur in the private sector before becoming active in local politics in Aberdeen in the Eastern Cape, Republic of South Africa, in 2009. She served as a councillor in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality from 2011 until 2019, when she was elected to Parliament. Her portfolio included the positions of Shadow Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, and later Shadow Minister of Electricity. On 3 July 2024, she was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy.

Educational Background

• 1st Degree : BSC in Agro-Engineering from Haramaya University, Ethiopia
• 2nd Degree MSC in Soil and Water Engineering, Haramaya University, Ethiopia
• 3rd Degree PHD: in Water Resource Engineering, Thailand, Bangkok

Work Experience 

Role: Currently Dr. Sultan is Energy State Minister at Ministry of Water and Energy, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Nani Juwara, a distinguished Gambian professional and public servant, has dedicated his career to the advancement of the energy and utilities sector in The Gambia. His journey from a humble beginning to becoming the Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines in March 2024 is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and visionary leadership.

Mr Tony Imaduwa is the Principal Secretary for the Climate Change and Energy Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment. The Department leads in the development and implementation of Climate Change and Energy policies and strategies. He oversees the implementation of the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions and other commitments in respect to Climate Change and Energy.

Hon. Charles Umehai was appointed in February of 2024 by the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. to serve in the position as Deputy Minister for Energy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Mahmuda Mamman, hails from Potiskum, Yobe State. He holds a B.Sc in Political Science from the University of Maiduguri. He started his Federal Civil Service career in January 2001 as a Principal Administrative Officer and rose through Promotion to the position of Director (Administration) in January 2018.

Mr. Yonis Ali Guedi holds a master’s degree in human resources management. After a brief stint in the banking sector and within the National Education system, Mr. Yonis Ali Guedi joined the Port of Djibouti, the country's main economic hub, in 2000. And after a little over a decade of a very promising career, which saw him climb almost every rung of the ladder, he was appointed, in 2013, Head of the Terminal Service and Support Department at the Container Terminal Management of the Port of Djibouti.

ABOUBACAR Said Anli is a Comorian physician and statesman. With a medical education (Guinea, 2002) and expertise in public health (Benin, 2007), he has devoted more than 19 years to the national health system, holding strategic positions such as Director General of Health and Secretary General of the Ministry of Health.