The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) has named Carol Koech as its new Vice President for Africa, effective August 1, 2025. In her new position, Carol will play a key role in expanding the Alliance’s initiatives across Africa, emphasizing the use of blended finance to establish GEAPP as a leader in clean energy for the continent.
Carol brings more than two decades of experience in the fields of energy access, private-sector transformation, and regional leadership. She most recently worked as the Strategy Director for Sustainability and Thought Leadership at Schneider Electric, where she was instrumental in shaping global sustainability efforts and spearheading programs that extended energy access to more than 50 million people.
Her career also includes a tenure as Schneider Electric’s Country President for East Africa, where she expanded the company’s reach, built partnerships with government and industry, and promoted inclusive, sustainable economic growth. Earlier, she held senior roles at General Electric and Unilever.
GEAPP’s CEO, Woochong Um, highlighted Carol’s deep expertise in Africa’s energy landscape and her commitment to increasing access and equity. Um emphasized that Carol’s leadership will be pivotal in driving GEAPP’s Mission 300—a multi-partner initiative aiming to connect 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030, boosting economic growth and job creation.
Carol expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, noting that access to clean, reliable energy is fundamental for inclusive economic progress. She looks forward to collaborating with GEAPP partners to advance country-led strategies such as Mission 300, create jobs, support just transitions, and unlock green growth across Africa.
With over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still lacking electricity, Carol’s appointment arrives at a critical time for GEAPP as it undertakes large-scale efforts—supported by organizations like the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation, and SEforALL—to provide sustainable energy and foster economic opportunities throughout the continent.
