Dr. Paul Yillia and has over 25 years of expertise in applied science and engineering, focusing on technical assistance programmes and analytical work in development, particularly in the water sector and more recently in decentralized renewable energy. Previously, he was Programme Manager and Lead Policy Specialist on cross-cutting issues at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL). His doctoral studies at the Vienna University of Technology were supported by a scholarship from the Austrian Development Cooperation.
He has returned home to Sierra Leone with a powerful mission: to transform the country’s decentralized renewable energy (DRE) landscape and drive integrated development solutions. As Founding Manager and Chief of Operations of The Energy Nexus Network (TENN)—which he co-founded in 2021—Paul is leading groundbreaking interventions at the intersection of energy access, social infrastructure, and climate action. Under his leadership, TENN operates as a regional energy ecosystem hub, developing and scaling clean energy solutions for healthcare electrification, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, alternative livelihoods, and resilient microbusinesses. These efforts are focused on reaching the last mile communities in Sierra Leone—those living without reliable electricity and development support.
In parallel, Paul plays a national leadership role as Senior Technical Adviser to the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security (PI-CREF). He is spearheading the creation of a Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub within the Office of the President to drive the country’s green growth strategy. With over 25 years of experience in applied science, engineering, and development policy—including a key position at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)—Paul brings global expertise to local solutions. His earlier roles have spanned organizations like the UN, FAO, UNEP, World Bank, and IIASA, and academic appointments in Austria, Malawi, Kenya, and the Netherlands.
In this talk, Paul will share insights from his PhD studies at the Vienna University of Technology (financed by a scholarship from the Austrian Development Cooperation), his work with international research and development organizations and his role in co-founding The Energy Nexus Network (TENN), a regional energy ecosystem hub in Sierra Leone. He will discuss his perspectives on global energy developments and how these are translated into Sierra Leone's national energy transition plan. Finally, he will present his current efforts to access innovative financing to power integrated development solutions and build resilient ecosystems around decentralised renewable energy in Sierra Leone and explore how these approaches could be adapted and applied in other countries.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with the participants.
Please register here until 14 October.
