Social Development

The keynote presentation was delivered by Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa, Founder of DoTheDream Youth Development Initiative (YDI) and Lead of the Girls in Energy Project. In her presentation, “Connecting the Dots: Intersectionality as the Economy,” she emphasized that intersectionality should be understood not only as a social framework but as an economic reality. She highlighted the importance of integrating both linear and non-linear pathways to accelerate, actualize, and localize girls’ participation in the energy sector globally, while fostering unified collaboration across institutions, sectors, and policy spaces.

Building on this foundation, Oluseyi Oyebisi spoke on Empowering Women in Clean Energy, underscoring the importance of community-level action in inspiring girls to pursue careers in energy. He highlighted the critical role of civil society organizations in addressing gender-based barriers, supporting the care economy, and creating enabling environments for girls and women to thrive in clean energy ecosystems.

Lady Bless, representing the African and Caribbean Energy Network, addressed Energy Justice and Universal Access. She emphasized that access to electricity is a universal human right rather than a privilege, and stressed the need to end energy poverty through inclusive industrialisation. Her intervention highlighted the importance of empowering women, girls, and youth through clean energy, advocating for collaboration, partnerships, digital empowerment, and the integration of both linear and non-linear career pathways across Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider Global South. She further emphasized the necessity of enabling policies, financing, and cross-regional cooperation to achieve equitable energy access.

 Sarah Noet, Founder of Be the Change, Global Goals, who discussed Scaling Energy Projects for the Global South through innovation and sustainability. Sarah presented her organization’s work at the intersection of science, sports, and fashion, leveraging digital twin technology and global city partnerships. She highlighted upcoming initiatives, including a summit in Senegal, events in Seattle, and projects in Nigeria, alongside innovations such as a patented concrete power trowel drill bit, a zeolite-based cement replacement, and digital twin-enabled products for carbon footprint tracking and social responsibility in the athletic industry.

The session concluded with a powerful presentation by Dr. Paige Afanu on Energy Justice for Girls’ Empowerment. She highlighted the disproportionate impact of energy poverty on girls’ education and livelihoods in the Global South and emphasized the need for inclusive industrialisation supported by catalytic, gender-responsive financing. She called for sustained investment to empower girls and women as leaders and change agents within energy systems.

Overall, the meeting reinforced the central message that energy access is foundational to education, health, economic development, and social justice. Speakers emphasized that scaling girls in energy requires the deliberate integration of both linear and non-linear pathways, supported by inclusive policies, innovative financing, and strong partnerships. The discussion highlighted the vital role of international networks, civil society, and community-driven approaches in translating global commitments into local impact.

The side event concluded with a clear call to action for governments, UN agencies, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to collaborate in supporting the Girls in Energy Project, prioritize energy access for all, and invest in electrifying learning systems that enable girls and women to lead, innovate, and shape inclusive energy futures.