Innovative Business Models from Across the Continent

Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Time: 02:00 pm - 03:00 pm
Hall: Room: MAAI

The session on innovative business models from across the continent is highlighting approaches to unlocking Africa's renewable energy potential. The discussion explores the role of wheeling mechanisms and private sector engagement in accelerating market development, alongside an approach to fully leveraging PV hybridization potential at new and refurbished hydropower plant
locations. Together, these perspectives illustrate scalable pathways for integrating renewables through innovative and bankable business models.

02:00 pm - 02:15 pmWelcome and Introduction

John van Zuylen

CEO

AFSIA - Africa Solar Industry Association

02:15 pm - 02:30 pmSpeech Title to be Announced

Henrik Axelsson Lilja

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

Odyssey Energy Solutions

02:30 pm - 02:45 pmApproach for Full PV Hybridization Potential at New / Refurbished HPP Locations

Kabengele Bredt

Director Nairobi Office

Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG

02:45 pm - 03:00 pmSpeech Title to be Announced

Wilhelm Zhao

CTO / Co-Founder

Terraspect

To Program Overview

Speakers

Speaker

Kabengele Bredt, Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG

Director Nairobi Office

Kenya

Kabengele Bredt is Fichtner Director for Business Development in eastern Africa and the current chairperson of the German Business Association in Kenya. Fichtner is a leading German consulting engineer with more than 30 years of project experience in Eastern Africa including Solar PV and grid-scale battery energy storage systems.

Speaker

Wilhelm Zhao, Terraspect

CTO / Co-Founder

United Kingdom

Speaker

John van Zuylen, AFSIA - Africa Solar Industry Association

CEO

Rwanda

John is the Founder of AFSIA, the Africa Solar Industry Association. AFSIA aims at promoting the use of solar energy across Africa and being the voice of solar professionals active in Africa. AFSIA's activities include market intelligence analysis, content generation, info sharing, events and business facilitation services. Prior to AFSIA, John has been leading the development of solar projects for 13 years across 4 continents. These projects ranged from utility-scale to commercial and residential projects, and included on- and off-grid systems, hybrid systems, Solar Home Systems and mini-grids. John regularly advises the public and private sector on market dynamics and operational strategy for solar developments in Africa. Next to AFSIA, John is also in charge of La Fromagerie, the only goat cheese farm and factory in Rwanda. John holds a MBA in strategy, managerial and organizational behaviour, Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth.

Speaker

Henrik Axelsson Lilja, Odyssey Energy Solutions

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

Kenya

Henrik Axelsson Lilja serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Odyssey, bringing over a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector in East Africa. His work focuses on the development and expansion of energy projects that contribute to regional growth and sustainability. Before joining Odyssey, Henrik worked as a Senior Manager in Accenture's Management Consulting practice, where he specialized in improving business processes and implementing technology solutions across various industries.