Opening Ceremony

Dr. Florian Wessendorf is Managing Director of Solar Promotion GmbH and Solar Promotion International GmbH. He is responsible for the global conference program and exhibitions in North America, South America and India. He has deep expertise in the solar industry, and formerly served as Managing Director of Photovoltaic Equipment at VDMA, where he was responsible for strategic development, market research and technology scouting, advocacy and policy advice, events, PR and marketing.

Cynthia Muhati is an Operational Excellence Specialist, a renewable energy enthusiast and a passionate advocate of sustainability, a founding member of Solinc East Africa, with a wealth of experience in shaping policy and regulatory environment and promoting Off-grid solar. My professional journey spans over 15 years in both corporate and social enterprise sectors, with expertise in sector performance management, business processes, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing efficiency, sustainability, profitability, and cost reduction. I serve on the Boards of The Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA), the Electronic Producer Responsibility Organization of Kenya (EPROK), and the SHELogistics and Transport Association (SLTA). I hold a Barchelor's Degree in Business Management, am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supplies (CIPS) UK and Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) Kenya, and an experienced Enterprise Risk Manager.

Mr. Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria, MBS, OGW is the Director General of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya's single sector regulator responsible for both technical and economic regulation for the electricity, renewable energy and petroleum. He has been instrumental in driving key initiatives in electricity, renewable energy and energy efficiency, including consumer-centric compliance innovations, designing of electricity tariffs geared incentivizing E-Mobility and E-Cooking. He has led the Authority in development of Net-Metering Regulations, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Guidelines; Green Hydrogen and its Derivatives Guidelines, Mini-Grids Guidelines and Energy Efficiency Guidebooks. He also led a campaign named "Kaa Safe Mtaani" geared towards awareness of safe use of electricity and petroleum products. Under his leadership, EPRA has been honored for its contribution to renewable energy, recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives, and Mr. Kiptoo himself was ranked No. 35 in the Choiseul 100 Africa list of influential young leaders. He holds key leadership roles in regional and international energy regulatory bodies, including serving as Chairperson of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators in East and Southern Africa (RAERESA) of the COMESA region. A lawyer by training and an energy specialist by practice, Mr. Kiptoo holds an MBA in Energy & Sustainability (University of Cumbria), an LLM in Petroleum Law and Policy (University of Dundee), an LLB from the University of Nairobi, and is currently pursuing a PhD at the Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP), University of Dundee. He is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), and a Certified Secretary (CS).  

David Wedepohl, Managing Director International Affairs David Wedepohl is a radio journalist by training who studied and worked on both sides of the Atlantic. He holds a master's degree in Journalism and Public Affairs which he achieved as a Fulbright scholar. His professional experience included working for the German embassy in Washington, DC as a senior press and public diplomacy officer. He first came in touch with the solar industry while working for an American consulting company before taking up his job as director communications and markets at the German Solar Association, also serving as the organization's spokesperson. He now holds the position of managing director international affairs and is responsible for the association's international activities.