In a world rapidly transitioning toward renewable energy and sustainable energy infrastructure, Experience Efeosa Akhigbe is at the forefront of energy finance, energy investment strategy, and energy policy innovation. With a background spanning banking, energy consulting, and advanced energy economics, he has become a leading force in structuring financially viable, high-impact energy projects across Africa and beyond.
Graduating top of his class in Economics and Statistics at the University of Benin, Experience began his career in the banking industry, managing multi-million-dollar investment portfolios for corporate clients. However, recognizing the urgent need for financial innovation in the energy sector, he transitioned to consulting—working at two of the world’s leading Big Four consulting firms, where he led high-profile mergers and acquisitions, energy policy advisory, and financing projects for major renewable energy, power, and infrastructure projects across Central and West Africa.
Today, as an MBA candidate at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Experience is actively shaping the global discourse on renewable energy financing, carbon markets, and emerging energy technologies. His research spans critical areas such as energy risk models, renewable energy financing, CO2-to-fuel technologies, energy economics, and techno-economic analysis—all focused on making energy systems more efficient, resilient, and sustainable.
Bridging Finance and Energy Transition
The energy sector is at a crossroads—balancing the urgent demand for clean power with the financial complexities of scaling renewables and energy infrastructure. This is where Experience’s expertise becomes invaluable. As a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a Certified Advanced Financial Modeler (FMI), and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, he has developed robust financial models for large-scale renewable energy projects, carbon capture technologies, and sustainable fuels.
His work has been particularly instrumental in unlocking capital for renewable projects, designing risk assessment models for large-scale investments, and advising on innovative financing strategies to de-risk energy infrastructure in emerging markets. At one of the leading Big Four consulting firms, he coordinated buy-side M&A advisory teams in acquiring over nine power and energy targets across Central Africa, with total deal values exceeding $9M. His expertise in due diligence, valuation, and fundraising ensured these transactions maximized both economic and environmental returns.
Beyond finance, Experience is deeply involved in energy policy and regulation. As a member of the Energy Institute (EI), the chartered professional membership body for global energy professionals, he contributes to discussions and initiatives aimed at accelerating the global energy transition to net zero emissions. The Energy Institute plays a crucial role in developing best practices, setting standards, and supporting industry-wide efforts to create a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Innovative Financing for Sustainable Energy
Recognizing that traditional financing structures often fail to support high-risk, high-reward energy innovations, Experience has dedicated his career to developing alternative investment models. His work in energy risk modeling and techno-economic analysis has provided new pathways for financing renewable energy and carbon capture projects worldwide. By leveraging structured financial products, government incentives, and private capital, he is helping bridge the gap between financial viability and sustainability in emerging energy markets.
At one of the leading Big Four consulting firms, he supervised financial advisory services for renewable energy projects that enhanced off-grid energy supply to households, leading to a 68% increase in lending to off-grid developers. His expertise in structuring public-private partnerships and optimizing project bankability has helped secure funding for large-scale sustainable energy infrastructure.
His work on the economics of green bonds and net-zero investment strategies offers a strategic roadmap for emerging markets to mobilize institutional and private sector financing for sustainable energy infrastructure.
Championing the Future of Carbon Markets and Sustainable Fuels
Most recently, he worked at Corporate Development Associate at a renewable energy company that converts CO2 into sustainable ethanol and propane, where he played a strategic role in fundraising, market size assessment, and unit economics development for carbon modular units. His financial models projected revenue potential over a 10-year period, helping drive investment into carbon capture and utilization technologies.
At the Deep Tech Ventures Summit at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, he engaged with leading investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to discuss the next frontier of clean energy breakthroughs, AI-driven energy optimization, and quantum computing applications in energy markets.
Driving Thought Leadership and Mentorship
Beyond his professional achievements, Experience is committed to developing the next generation of energy finance leaders. As an active member of the Chicago Booth Energy and Sustainability Groups, he helps bridge the gap between emerging energy professionals and industry veterans—fostering dialogue on energy transition challenges, investment trends, and policy innovations.
His role as an editor and reviewer for leading energy journals allows him to shape the global discourse on sustainable finance and energy economics by refining and evaluating emerging research in renewable energy financing, carbon utilization, and energy risk models.
A Vision for the Future
When asked about the future of energy finance, Experience is clear in his conviction:
“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.”
For Experience, this is more than a career—it’s a mission. Through his expertise in financial modeling, energy investment, and sustainable policy advocacy, he is not just navigating change—he is actively driving it. With a commitment to financial resilience, cutting-edge research, and industry transformation, Experience Efeosa Akhigbe is shaping the future of energy finance and sustainability—one project, one policy, and one breakthrough at a time.
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