Lights flickered, and opportunities sparked. For Adebowale Dosunmu, as a sustainable development enthusiast the energy crisis wasn’t just a problem; it was a call to action. “I grew up in an environment where being resourceful and adaptable wasn’t just encouraged—it was necessary,” he recalls. That fire, that innate drive, propelled him from coding dreams to powering communities.
Adebowale didn’t drift into renewable energy—curiosity was his compass, resilience his fuel. Initially, the digital world beckoned, but his father’s nudge toward Electrical/Electronic Engineering proved prophetic. Then came university life, punctuated by relentless blackouts. A conversation with his mother about the profound importance of light sealed the deal. He wasn’t going to complain about the power crisis—he was going to fix it.
But technical prowess alone wasn’t enough. To create a real impact, he armed himself with an MBA, blending engineering expertise with sharp business acumen. “Innovation is the bridge between challenges and solutions—keep building.” Now, as Managing Director of Renewvia Solar Nigeria and Director of Engineering for Renewvia Solar Africa, he’s not just building solar plants; he’s illuminating futures, one kilowatt at a time.
Powering Change: Igniting Africa’s Energy Renaissance
This solar trailblazer didn’t stumble into renewable energy—he was jolted awake by Africa’s power deficit. He saw lives shackled, potential choked, and futures dimmed by unreliable electricity. “Without access to power, economic growth stalls, businesses struggle, and essential services like healthcare and education suffer. I knew immediately that this was a challenge worth solving,” he recounts, urgency still ringing in his voice.
His baptism by fire? The Lagos Solar Project, where he witnessed the raw, transformative power of sustainable energy lighting up schools and clinics. He does not just build infrastructure—he aids in building futures of people and businesses.
He didn’t do it alone. Adebowale plunged into the deep end, learning from a powerhouse roster of industry titans and renewable energy visionaries. This wasn’t just networking; it was an intense masterclass in fundraising, financial wizardry, and the grit required to turn blueprints into buzzing power grids. He absorbed their expertise like a sponge, mastering the art of building systems sustainably.
So, when the opportunity to helm Renewvia Solar Nigeria arose, it wasn’t a leap of faith—it was inevitable. “It was more than just a career move; it was an opportunity to create meaningful, lasting impact in communities that need it most.” Today, Adebowale is igniting a revolution, determined to break Africa’s energy barriers and illuminate a brighter, more sustainable future, rather than just leading a company.
Forged in Fire: The Relentless Pursuit of Impact and Balance
Forget the robotic precision of “work-life balance.” For Adebowale, it’s a forge—a fiery process of shaping priorities in the heat of the moment, a laser focus on what ignites passion in each arena. Leading Renewvia Solar Nigeria? That’s a crucible of challenges, a relentless dance with responsibility. But Adebowale doesn’t flinch. He unleashes the power of delegation, trusting his team to rise because, as the veteran remarks, “A strong team is not just an asset; it is the foundation of sustainable success.”
Even with a formidable team, the demands of leadership can threaten to consume everything. Personal time, sacred moments with family, and the quiet space for self—each risks becoming a casualty of relentless work. But Adebowale stands his ground, fortified by the bedrock of his wife and family, driven by the conviction that, as he firmly believes, “Success means little if it comes at the cost of those who matter most.”
Success Isn’t a Title—It’s a Legacy
Adebowale doesn’t wait for things to happen; he’s known for his proactive approach. Hailed as one of the ‘Top 10 Visionary Leaders Transforming African Business in 2025,’ he views success as a powerful current and a relentless drive to achieve goals that reshape the landscape.
Professionally, it’s about unleashing the potential of sustainable energy in Africa, building a company that surges forward without his constant push. He champions a success that empowers everyone – employees finding their momentum, investors seeing returns and their impact, and customers experiencing the life-changing force of reliable energy. But Adebowale’s force isn’t just about business; it’s about personal transformation, about leaving a wake of positive change that ripples through the lives of others.
Thriving Where Others Fold: The Art of Resilient Leadership
Some leaders crack under pressure. Others pivot, adapt, and push through. Adebowale belongs to the latter. One of his toughest battles? Ensuring the financial sustainability of renewable energy projects in markets where affordability is a constant hurdle. When a major project hit financial roadblocks—thanks to shifting economic policies, rigid regulations, and wild foreign exchange swings—many would have seen a dead end. Adebowale saw a challenge worth solving.
He and his team didn’t retreat. They restructured financial models, engaged critical stakeholders, and fought to prove the project’s long-term value. Profits took a hit, but quitting was never an option. “We adhered to our mantra of building successful energy systems and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.”
The lesson? Resilience and Adaptability aren’t just buzzwords—they’re survival skills in the renewable energy game. And Adebowale has mastered them.
Powering a Revolution: Beyond Solar Panels
Some see solar panels. Adebowale sees a revolution. At Renewvia Solar Nigeria Limited, he is leading a shift from outdated energy models to a future where power is accessible, affordable, and sustainable.
For too long, underserved communities have been stuck in an energy gap—trapped between unreliable grids and expensive alternatives. Adebowale is changing that. He is making solar energy a viable option through a tariff-based power-as-a-service model, eliminating hefty upfront costs and ensuring long-term affordability. This approach isn’t just about bringing electricity to homes and businesses—it’s about creating economic mobility where families can thrive, and enterprises can scale without the burden of power instability. In fact, he emphasizes the critical link between sustainable energy and the continent’s progress, noting, “The future of energy is sustainable, and the future of Africa depends on it.”
But his vision goes beyond infrastructure. Adebowale knows that a revolution needs people to sustain it. That’s why he invests in talent, equipping professionals—both in cities and remote areas—with the expertise to drive the industry forward. By blending technology with opportunity, he isn’t just providing electricity; he’s cultivating a self-sustaining force for progress.
With every project, he’s proving that sustainability isn’t just an environmental goal—it’s an engine for transformation. And in Africa’s renewable energy landscape, he’s ensuring that transformation isn’t just happening; it’s here to stay.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders in Renewable Energy
Powering the future isn’t merely about innovation; instead, it demands a blend of vision, strategic thinking, and the audacity to explore uncharted territories. In the renewable energy space, besides technological breakthroughs, success is also measured by crafting smart, scalable, and sustainable solutions.
Adebowale insists those looking to make a real impact must go beyond surface-level knowledge. Energy solutions demand more than cutting-edge tech; they require a sharp, strategic mindset. He urges aspiring leaders to dive deep—tracking technical data, economics, policy shifts, and social impact—to develop solutions that stand the test of time.
In an industry that never stands still, Adaptability is everything. Adebowale encourages professionals to stay open to new business models, emerging technologies, and innovative financing strategies. The key, he believes, is striking the right balance—bold enough to seize opportunities, but disciplined enough to avoid reckless risks.
“The road to transformation is long, but the rewards are worth it,” he explains.
With Africa’s energy challenges as vast as they are urgent, Adebowale emphasizes the power of collaboration. No single entity can solve these issues alone. Real progress happens when visionaries, businesses, and policymakers join forces, forging partnerships that drive lasting impact.
A Legacy of Impact in Renewable Energy
Throughout his career, Adebowale has spearheaded projects that have delivered sustainable energy to thousands of households and businesses, ensuring lasting impact. His leadership has been instrumental in structuring innovative power purchase agreements (PPAs), a game-changer in securing the financial viability of renewable energy ventures.
Beyond infrastructure, he takes immense pride in building and mentoring a high-caliber team—engineers, technicians, project managers, ESG managers, regulatory specialists, and industry experts—who share a deep commitment to the company’s mission. His influence extends beyond operations, positioning him as a respected thought leader in the renewable energy space.
His dedication and expertise have not gone unnoticed. Industry peers have recognized his contributions with accolades, including an award for Excellence in Operations & Maintenance (O&M), a testament to his impact on shaping the sector’s future.
Inspiring Ascent: Adebowale’s Leadership Ethos
Adebowale leads with a servant’s heart, fostering a culture where ownership is both encouraged and expected. His philosophy hinges on trust, allowing his team the freedom to innovate while he fine-tunes the broader strategy. This aligns with his deep-seated belief that, as he often articulates, “True leadership is not about control but about inspiring others to achieve greatness.”
Years of experience have reshaped his approach, shifting him from the trenches of technical execution to the helm of high-level decision-making. He remains ever-present, stepping in not to micromanage but to clear roadblocks and amplify his team’s impact.
For him, leadership transcends authority. It’s about emotional intelligence. In the ever-evolving landscape of Africa’s renewable energy sector, he sees adaptability and intuition as non-negotiable assets. The ability to read a room, anticipate challenges, and inspire action defines his approach.
At the core of his leadership is an unwavering commitment to surrounding himself with minds that challenge convention. He seeks out individuals who embody a fusion of intellectual rigor, creativity, and moral clarity—people who exhibit Howard Gardner’s “five minds of the future.” It’s not just about expertise; it’s about having the right balance of vision, ethics, and the ability to synthesize complexity into progress. Choosing the right team, he insists, isn’t a luxury but the foundation of everything.
The Future of Renewable Energy: Trends That Inspire Adebowale
This seasoned exec is energized by several groundbreaking trends shaping the renewable energy landscape. He’s particularly intrigued by blockchain-powered carbon credit platforms, which are revolutionizing how businesses turn sustainability efforts into financial gains—an area where Renewvia makes notable headway.
AI and IoT are also capturing his attention, transforming energy management with smarter, more predictive systems that boost efficiency and streamline maintenance. Meanwhile, the rise of decentralized energy solutions is shifting power—literally and figuratively—into the hands of local communities, enabling them to generate and manage their own electricity.
Adebowale points out that battery storage technology is advancing at a rapid clip. As these innovations make solar energy more reliable and scalable, they’re accelerating the sector’s momentum, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
The Architects Behind Adebowale’s Leadership
Mentors have left an indelible mark on Adebowale’s leadership, molding his approach with layers of insight and strategy. Some sharpened his technical acumen, equipping him with the precision to dissect challenges and engineer solutions with clarity. Others instilled a keener sense of strategic foresight, refining his negotiation prowess and deepening his grasp of stakeholder dynamics.
Their wisdom didn’t just provide direction—it cemented his conviction in first-principle thinking, a mindset that sidesteps inefficiency and ensures every move is built on a solid foundation. Each lesson absorbed became a navigational tool, guiding him toward decisions rooted in logic and long-term impact.
Lighting the Path Forward: Renewvia Solar Nigeria’s Bold Future
This industry leader envisions a future where Renewvia Solar Nigeria Limited reshapes the energy landscape. His sights are set on scaling the company’s power-as-a-service model, driving wider access to clean electricity. Over the next five years, he plans to bring over 250MW of solar projects to life, pushing boundaries in renewable energy deployment.
Expanding Renewvia’s Mini-Grid projects, he aims to connect more than 300,000 customers, ensuring underserved communities gain reliable power. Partnerships are another cornerstone of his strategy—investors, telecom giants, and government agencies all play a role in accelerating commercial adoption. He’s also testing a bold new approach: mini-grid development without reliance on grants, proving that clean energy can stand on its own in Nigeria’s economy.
At the policy level, Adebowale is determined to drive reforms that foster growth rather than stifle it. He believes that overregulation threatens to inflate energy costs, and he’s not one to sit back and watch it happen. His mission is clear—break barriers, fuel innovation, and make renewable energy a powerhouse for economic progress.
