Earlier this month, GreenMax gained representation on the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) Board of Directors with the election of Sylviah Mwaura. Sylviah brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to the role, promising to contribute to the continued growth and success of the organization.

GOGLA helps the off-grid industry build sustainable markets to deliver high-quality products and services to customers with no, or insufficient, access to electricity. With her background in finance, credit risk, transaction advisory and energy access, Sylviah will provide valuable insights and guidance in driving GOGLA forward. She will play the role of Treasurer, lending her extensive background and expertise to governance of the organization’s financial and operational management.­­

Sylviah is a finance professional with over a decade of experience specializing in credit risk, business development, loan portfolio management, consulting, training, proposal and report writing, digital marketing strategy, quantitative and qualitative research and financial technology management. At GreenMax, she is advising Transaction Advisory Group clients in the off-grid and productive use sectors in Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique. Sylviah has provided support to these companies in various areas, including the development of credit policies, impact assessment policies, communication policies, business plans, marketing plans, ESG plans, financial models, pitch decks, as well as capital raising and financial solicitation efforts. Her expertise and assistance have proven to be instrumental in helping establish robust frameworks and strategies for the companies’ operations and growth.

In addition to her ongoing work for the Transaction Advisory Group, Sylviah is also supporting the Fund Management Group is various capacities. She is currently working to develop GreenShift Africa, a trade facilitation program for African e-Mobility companies. Previously, she supported implementation of the RBF window of the KfW Clean Energy and Energy Inclusion for Africa (CEI Africa) Foundation, which provides financing and technical assistance to green mini-grid developers, off-grid solar companies and standalone productive use of energy enterprises in Africa. She also assisted in setting up the Green-for-Access First Loss Facility (G4A), a new risk mitigation platform that partners with local financial institutions in Africa to facilitate local currency lending for energy access.

Sylviah grew up in Nairobi and attended upper primary and secondary school in Nyeri. In her younger years, she wanted to pursue a career in agriculture but was deterred by the lack of employment opportunities in the field. Because Sylviah was also interested in economic development, she concentrated on finance, becoming a Certified Credit Professional while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Soon she was supporting female entrepreneurs and self-help groups through SME credit underwriting.

Prior to joining GreenMax, Sylviah served as a Risk Operations Manager at Amiran Kenya, Project Madaraka – a program that aimed to establish a credit sales process facilitating acquisition of both lower ticket agricultural equipment and input packages (up to $2,000) and higher-ticket productive use assets (typically over $5,000), on payment plans linked to product cashflow. She has also advised and trained SMEs in the agricultural sector on business strategy, digital marketing, e-commerce and financial planning. Previously, she worked for Stanbic Bank Kenya in various capacities, including business development, credit evaluation, marketing and product design and implementation.

“In terms of feeling like I was making an impact in my career,” said Sylviah, “I supported entrepreneurs, mainly women who were deemed ‘unbankable,’ to help grow their businesses, increase savings, and make sound investment decisions towards business growth.”

Sylviah observed that the driving force behind energy innovation often lies in the minds of passionate scientists devoted to their products. However, they encounter difficulties when it comes to transitioning from the initial stages of product innovation  to the crucial phases of go-to-market (GTM) strategies and eventual commercialization.

At GreenMax, Sylviah aims to empower energy innovators to navigate the financial landscape successfully, accelerate the adoption of renewable energy solutions, and contribute to the growth and success of the clean energy sector.

“This struggle is particularly evident in a revolutionary market that necessitates a significant shift toward embracing renewable energy, as is the case in Africa,” said Sylviah. “Given the relatively nascent state of the renewable energy sector in the region, it becomes imperative to highlight and clarify how productive use of energy (PUE) can yield profitable outcomes for business professionals. Effectively conveying the value proposition is key to fostering broader adoption and acceptance of renewable energy solutions.”

Additionally, in her role at GreenMax, Sylviah provides comprehensive support in energy access finance, business and financial readiness, as well as capital raising and financial solicitation. “We assist companies in securing funding for their projects by offering guidance in developing business plans, financial models, and pitch decks that effectively attract potential investors,” said Sylviah. “Furthermore, we collaborate with businesses to improve their financial capabilities, optimize financial structures, and provide insights into market trends and opportunities.”

Musing on her drive to continue broadening her skill set into new sectors, Sylviah says, “I find the opportunity to learn the most exciting. I love learning new things. I enjoy challenges and problem-solving, and I find immense satisfaction in supporting company growth and business strategy.”

Sylviah is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurialism from the University of Nairobi. She holds a master’s degree in Banking and Microfinance from Moi University and a B.A. in Economics and History from the University of Nairobi. She is fluent in English and Swahili.