Founded in 2010, Persistent Energy is Africa’s Climate Venture Builder and a leading investor. The company provides essential support including finance, strategic guidance, governance, technical and legal expertise to early-stage companies committed to creating sustainable impact. They have developed and deployed an interesting venture building model that fills in critical resource gaps for early-stage companies innovating across sustainable energy, mobility, agriculture, and circular economy.

This episode is presented by Okra Solar, to learn more about Okra visit okrasolar.com

Recommended Reading 

• Lessons Learned: From Lending $600m to Off-Grid Energy Companies
• Impact Assessment at Persistent: A Report on our Metrics, Challenges and Vision 
• Bridging the Gap to Commercial Success for Energy Access Businesses

Guest Bios:  

Tobias Ruckstuhl is the Managing Partner of Persistent. Tobias brings extensive experience in investing and building companies in frontier markets, with over 10 years background of living and working in Sub-Saharan Africa, having spent large parts of his early youth in rural Africa and later worked in finance and logistics, and as an entrepreneur in Central Africa. He continued his career in Europe in management consulting at Accenture in Switzerland, a global consulting company, specializing in digital and technology consulting, and subsequently joined Persistent in early 2018. Tobias holds a Masters in International Affairs from the University of St. Gallen as well as a bachelor's in business & economics. He is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) charter holder.

Wairimu Karanja is Partner and Chief Legal Officer at Persistent Energy Capital LLC. She is dedicated to advancing Africa's sustainable development in renewable energy, climate impact, and gender inclusion. With over 12 years of legal experience, she specializes in energy and natural resources, infrastructure development, and private equity. Prior to her current role, Wairimu founded W&Co|Law & Policy and holds a Post-Graduate Master of Law (LLM Distinction) in Energy Law and Policy. She is actively involved in industry initiatives, including co-organizing the East Africa International Arbitration Conference, and is a member of various professional associations. Engaging in pro-bono advisory work, Wairimu contributes to sustainable development and mentors young professionals.

Learn more about Persistent

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