Financing the energy transition: Why Efeosa Akhigbe’s vision matters

The global push for renewable energy has reached a defining moment, yet a critical question remains: who will finance this transition? While debates rage over policy incentives and technological advancements, one fact is indisputable—without strategic financing, the shift to clean energy will remain an aspiration rather than a reality. At the heart of this challenge is Experience Efeosa Akhigbe, a leading voice in energy finance, investment strategy, and policy innovation. His work is about more than numbers—it is about reshaping how we power our world.

Overcoming financial barriers to a renewable future

The energy transition is no longer a matter of debate—it is an economic necessity. Yet, scaling renewable energy and infrastructure comes with immense financial hurdles. Traditional financing models often fail to support high-risk, capital-intensive projects in emerging markets. This is where Akhigbe’s expertise makes a difference. With a background spanning banking, energy consulting, and advanced energy economics, he has played a pivotal role in structuring viable, high-impact energy projects across Africa and beyond.

Graduating at the top of his class in economics and statistics from the University of Benin, Akhigbe began his career in banking, managing multimillion-dollar investment portfolios. Recognising the need for financial innovation in the energy sector, he transitioned to consulting—advising on energy investment strategies, mergers, acquisitions, and policy reforms at leading Big Four firms. His work has facilitated major renewable energy projects across Central and West Africa, unlocking capital for clean energy solutions in markets often overlooked by global investors.

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Rethinking investment models for energy transition

Conventional financing structures cannot sustain global decarbonisation. Akhigbe has been at the forefront of developing alternative investment models that de-risk energy projects and attract private capital. As a Chartered Accountant and Certified Advanced Financial Modeller, he has designed financial structures for renewable energy projects, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable fuels—offering pragmatic solutions to the funding crisis plaguing the sector.

At a leading Big Four firm, he coordinated buy-side M&A advisory teams in acquiring over nine power and energy targets across Central Africa, with deal values exceeding $9 million. His work has shaped investment trends and influenced regulatory frameworks, creating an enabling environment for renewable energy financing.

The policy dimension: A global perspective

Beyond finance, Akhigbe plays a key role in shaping energy policy. As a member of the Energy Institute (EI), a global body for energy professionals, he contributes to critical discussions on accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions. His research on energy risk models, renewable energy financing, and CO₂-to-fuel technologies offers policymakers and investors a roadmap for building more resilient energy systems.

Akhigbe understands that financial innovation alone cannot drive the energy transition. It requires collaboration between the private sector, governments, and multilateral institutions. His work in public-private partnerships and structured finance solutions bridges this gap, ensuring capital flows toward sustainable energy infrastructure instead of fossil fuel-dependent markets.

Investing in the next generation

The battle for sustainable energy is not just about today’s solutions—it is about cultivating future leaders who can drive lasting change. Akhigbe is committed to mentorship and thought leadership, actively engaging with the next generation of energy finance professionals. As a member of the Chicago Booth Energy and Sustainability Groups, he fosters dialogue between emerging talent and industry veterans, ensuring that new ideas shape the sector’s future.

As an editor and reviewer for leading energy journals, he influences the global discourse on energy finance and policy. His insights on green bonds, net-zero investment strategies, and energy economics provide a blueprint for how emerging markets can mobilise institutional and private-sector financing for sustainable energy.

A defining moment for energy finance

Akhigbe’s work makes one thing clear: the energy transition is not just an environmental imperative—it is an economic one. The world stands at a crossroads, where investment decisions today will define the future of energy markets. Will we rely on outdated financial models that prioritise short-term gains, or will we embrace bold financing solutions that drive real change?

For Akhigbe, the answer is clear. “The world stands at a pivotal moment in renewable energy—where investment is both an economic necessity and an environmental imperative. By leveraging financial innovation and policy reforms, we can drive a more sustainable and accessible energy future for all.”

This is more than a statement—it is a call to action. Akhigbe is not just navigating change—he is shaping it. Through his expertise in financial modelling, energy investment, and sustainable policy advocacy, he is redefining energy finance. The world needs more leaders like him—visionaries willing to rethink traditional systems, challenge outdated paradigms, and take decisive steps toward a truly sustainable future.

Ayokunle Odebiyi is a Digital Marketer.