Banjul, The Gambia – Sierra Leonean statesman and global energy advocate Dr. Kandeh Yumkella has received the prestigious ECREEE–ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Lifetime Leadership Award, celebrating his decades-long drive to expand access to sustainable energy across Africa and beyond.
The award was presented Thursday evening in Banjul during a high-level regional energy forum. In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Yumkella hailed the recognition as “a celebration of a collective journey,” pointing to West Africa’s growing determination to build resilient economies powered by clean and inclusive energy.
A former Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Dr. Yumkella was instrumental in establishing ECREEE itself and went on to chair UN-Energy before becoming the founding Chief Executive of the global Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) initiative.
“My heartfelt thanks to ECOWAS, ECREEE, and all partners who have walked this road with us,” he said, pledging to continue championing Africa’s energy transition. “The struggle for energy security, climate resilience, and inclusive growth continues—and together, we will light the path to a sustainable future for all.”
