As we reflect on the transformative experiences of the first cohort of Chevening TEA Scholars, it is evident that this journey is more than just academic; it is about personal growth and ambition.
One of the scholars, Nazeefah Edoo, described her year of study in the UK as a “transformative journey”, a sentiment many of her fellow scholars echoed, highlighting how their Master’s programmes served as a personal evolution, leading to numerous opportunities. Launched in 2023, the Chevening TEA Scholarship programme aims to invest in the growth of future leaders in the energy sector. Over the next four years, this scholarship will support 30 emerging leaders to pursue Master’s degrees in the UK that align with TEA thematic areas, ultimately building the skills, network, and expertise needed to accelerate progress in Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13 (SDG 7 and 13).
Diverse backgrounds, shared ambition
The first cohort of eight scholars gathered in London, in November 2023, at an event hosted by the Carbon Trust, marking the beginning of their collective journey The scholars are from various backgrounds, and home countries, including Seychelles, Mauritius, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Uganda, bringing unique experiences and perspectives. Yet, what unites them is a common drive to create positive change in addressing the energy access deficit sustainably. Collectively the scholars represent a crucial segment of young professionals who will be at the forefront of the global transition to clean, affordable, and reliable energy. The energy access sector’s growth and sustainability hinge on several interconnected factors – financing, technology, policy environments, and a skilled workforce.
Challenges and triumphs
The cohort of students aimed to pursue degrees in several fields including Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of Aberdeen and Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment at University College London. Reflecting on their experiences, the scholars shared the challenges and rewards of living and studying in the UK. Filagot Woldeselassie acknowledged the difficulty of being away from her children, yet the support from her family, both in Ethiopia and the UK, provided her with the strength to persevere. Her ambition is to become a leader in Ethiopia’s energy sector, promoting access to clean and affordable energy for all. Bah Bouadio faced the challenge of adjusting to a new educational system while enduring Scotland’s famously unpredictable weather.
Building community and connections
Beyond academics, the scholars forged connections through extracurricular activities, university life, and fellow Chevening students. The Chevening TEA Scholarship included mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals in the TEA network. Axelle Bodwell, a scholar studying Climate Change Finance and Investment at the University of Edinburgh, was paired with mentor Oghosa Erhahon, a trained lawyer with extensive expertise in energy and climate strategy.
“Oghosa’s guidance was invaluable, from setting clear academic and career goals to navigating my new journey in climate finance. This relationship was a game-changer, helping me build confidence in my research and networking.”
Steven Hunt, Senior Energy Innovation Advisor at the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, was paired with Bah Bouadio and reflected that “it was a real pleasure to act as a mentor for Bah from the Ivory Coast during his energy economics Master’s at Strathclyde. It was a genuine exchange of perspectives and cultures, and a privilege to help him even in a small way to find his feet in Glasgow, get the most out of his course and time in the UK, and prepare himself for a new phase in his life and career.”
Mentorship builds confidence, and expands individuals’ professional networks, making it a valuable element of the Chevening Scholars’ experience.
Research: A key component of the journey
An integral requirement of the scholarship was producing impactful research.
Ahmed Duale’s (University of Sussex) dissertation examined the nexus between socioeconomic challenges and environmental degradation. His findings revealed a cyclical pattern: energy poverty drives the use of biomass fuels for cooking, creating a market for charcoal and income streams for households. Ahmed highlighted several initiatives in Somaliland that are helping reduce charcoal production and deforestation, concluding that there is a need for improved policy enforcement and urgent action to provide cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives.
Bah Bouadio’s (London School of Economics) dissertation analysed data from 43 African nations between 1980 and 2022, categorised into five regional blocs: Western, Central, Eastern, Northern and Southern Africa. The findings revealed that economic activity significantly drives renewable electricity adoption across the continent. However, in the short term, renewable electricity generation appears to reduce GDP per capita due to high initial costs and storage challenges.
Nazeefah Edoo’s (University of Surrey) dissertation focused on strategies to phase out fossil fuels, aiming to create a resource for future national net zero planning efforts in Mauritius. Reflecting on her work, Nazeefah explained that her dissertation provided “the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, assessing current policies and exploring the integration of renewable technologies into our national grid. The research process was intense, yet it reinforced my belief that a sustainable energy future is not only possible but essential for Mauritius.”
National energy transitions were central to Filagot Woldeselassie and Axelle Bodwell’s research. Filagot explored the role of climate finance, particularly from the private sector in Ethiopia, while Axelle examined how governance structures and policy frameworks can be optimised to enhance the viability of renewable energy products in the Seychelles. Both Scholars concluded their research with a positive outlook for Ethiopia’s and the Seychelles’ energy transitions, emphasising the importance of developing homegrown talent to drive these efforts forward.
Looking to the future
As the scholars return home with new knowledge, skills, and connections, these emerging leaders are poised to make significant contributions to progress in sustainable, equitable energy access.
Shortly after finishing her studies at the University of Edinburgh, Axelle secured a role as the first Climate Finance Advisor at the Seychelles Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning – marking a huge step in her career and achieving her goal of being a driving force behind the Seychelles’ energy transition.
Others are returning home to organisations they founded before becoming Chevening TEA Scholars with renewed ambition. Bah plans to work in the energy access space, focusing on policy and regulation, while dedicating more time to community engagement through his organisation, Light On. Filagot, having co-founded an energy consulting firm in Ethiopia, is a passionate advocate for women in the energy sector, with a clear vision for the country’s energy future:
“My vision for Ethiopia’s energy sector [is to achieve] universal access through a balanced mix of grid extension and off-grid solutions, powered by renewable sources by 2030. I aim to bridge the gap between energy planning and finance mobilisation, fostering closer collaboration between energy planners and financial institutions.”
Nazeefah also has a strong vision for her future: to be at the forefront of Mauritius’ decarbonisation efforts and hopes to work with governments and the private sector to transition to sustainable energy practices in Mauritius and beyond.
The challenges and opportunities experienced by the Chevening TEA Scholars fuelled their ambitions, proving that transformation is possible when people can think globally and act locally.
What’s next for the TEA Chevening Scholarship?
As we wish the best of luck to our first Chevening TEA Scholars, we welcomed our second cohort of twelve individuals who will be studying at universities across the UK. This fresh wave of students aspires to become future leaders in the global energy sector and will tackle subject matter relating to climate change law, policy, engineering and technology innovation. Over the 2024/25 academic year, these new Scholars will be supported through the programme, and we look forward to seeing the results from an impactful and important year of study.