Ugwem Eneyo
PROFILE
Ugwem Eneyo is Nigerian-American engineer, inventor, climate entrepreneur and advisor. Ugwem founded and served as the CEO of venture-backed Shyft Power Solutions, an energy technology company that pioneered IoT and integrated software solutions for microgrids and smart cities in Africa.
Ugwem led the acquisition of the company by Steama Company, where she serves on the Board of Directors and leads Product and Innovation. Ugwem founded Shyft as a bi-product of her studies as a former MS/PhD student in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Stanford University. Seeing the promise of Africa’s emerging tech ecosystem and after winning both the MIT Clean Energy Prize, she took a chance at entrepreneurship – building the original technology and securing patents that were the basis for the company’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).
Ugwem has been recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Energy and Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy Honors, among other recognitions. She’s one of the early black, female founders to have raised over $1M in venture capital and early climate tech entrepreneurs in Africa’s emerging tech ecosystem.
Ugwem’s family and upbringing, being from coastal regions of the Niger Delta (Rivers State and Akwa Ibom, Nigeria) and the region’s complex history when it comes to environmental affairs, human rights and industry inspired her early interests in climate and sustainability. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Prior to attending Stanford, Ugwem worked as an Environmental and Regulatory Risk Advisor for infrastructure projects throughout South Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Silicon Valley to Lagos: How Africa's Tech Ecosystem is Charting a New Path for Development
This inspiring keynote shares the compelling journey of Nigerian-American entrepreneur and inventor, Ugwem Eneyo, whose multinational upbringing and immigrant heritage sparked a powerful return to Africa. She highlights how Africa’s tech ecosystem is flourishing as audacious entrepreneurs forge their own path – blending wit, resilience and innovation to create successful, homegrown solutions. Attendees will gain fresh insights into how African innovators are not only shaping their continent’s future, but also redefining global tech landscapes with bold, authentic leadership.
Key Takeaways:
- Africa’s tech ecosystem is rapidly flourishing, driven by bold, homegrown innovation and entrepreneurship.
- African entrepreneurs are charting their own unique course, not simply following global trends.
- Numerous success stories in the African tech ecosystem are rooted in deep local understanding combined with global perspectives; highlighting the need to intimately understand the challenges one endeavors to solve.
The Future of Power: Sustainable Innovation Inspired by the World's Boldest Markets
The world’s boldest markets are not merely replicating existing technologies; they are leapfrogging ahead with audacious ambitions that challenge the status quo. Africa’s energy future is being shaped by innovative solutions like smart grids, decentralized power systems, and cutting-edge technologies tailored to local needs. Ugwem, founder and leader of one of Africa’s pioneering energy technologies companies, shares insights on taking on tough challenges and finding lasting, sustainable solutions. Her keynote explores how entrepreneurial leadership and innovation are driving the continent’s leap into the future of power – empowering communities and redefining energy access across emerging markets.
Key Takeaways:
- Innovation in Africa’s energy sector, among others, offers lessons and inspiration for global markets
- Challenging the status quo is the launchpad for transformative change and sustainable impact
- Collaboration and fresh perspectives drive the breakthroughs that can redefine sustainable development
Lessons Along the Way: Empowering Leaders to Innovate Without Limits
Driving innovation and fostering change isn’t limited to CTO’s, CPO’s or CIO’s – anyone can be a champion for transformation. Ugwem’s dynamic career spans early career corporate roles, academia, entrepreneurship, and product innovation, culminating in a successful acquisition and a return to corporate leadership in innovation and product development. She demonstrates that creating sustainable solutions transcends titles and geography, empowering individuals at all levels to lead meaningful change. Where there are challenges, there are solutions and we all can be the champions for change.
Key Takeaways:
- Innovation and shared goals can tie together from diverse perspectives
- Sustainable innovation transcends geographic and organization boundaries
- Empowering all team members fosters a culture of continuous change and impact
- Innovation is everyone’s responsibility
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