LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Millennium Engineers Enterprises Limited, a Tanzanian renewable energy company specializing in solar and wind energy technologies
Diana Mbogo, 30, is a mother of two beautiful children and the founder/ managing director of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Ltd, a fast-growing renewable energy company in Tanzania that specializes in discovering untapped markets in different industries and sectors. The company then develops customized innovative business solutions by understanding the challenges, exploring solutions alongside customers/beneficiaries, and taking action in the best way to craft sustainable energy solutions. Founded in 2016 while still in her final academic year pursuing a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering, she managed to grow the company from ideation stage to a fast-growing and award-winning renewable energy company in Africa.
Millennium Engineers Enterprises Limited is currently undertaking a 0.7M Euro impact business project across the sardine fishing industry value chain in Lake Victoria in partnership with EEP Africa, DOEN Foundation & the Rural Energy Agency in Tanzania. With a passion for Climate Change, Gender Equality, and Africa's energy transition she continues to find her seat at the table in a male dominant sector while standing on the shoulders of great minds. Diana has been invited to speak on behalf of Africa's energy transition and women empowerment at high-level meetings on numerous occasions including last year's COP27 conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Lioness Weekender spoke to the visionary Diana Mbogo about her ambitions for her business and her mission to create an ecosystem of young innovators across the continent that are passionate about finding innovative solutions to their pressing energy problems.
What year did you start your business?
I started my business back in 2015 and legally registered it in 2016 during my fourth academic year at the University of Dar es Salaam pursuing BSc. Mechanical Engineering.
What does your company do?
Millennium Engineers is a female founded and led Tanzanian renewable energy company specializing in solar and wind energy technologies. The company develops customized impact business projects by looking into the needs of a specific community, industry, or business then developing a solution using either or both energy technologies while working alongside the customer to ensure the solution caters to their needs while still addressing cost, culture, efficiency, the environment and governing policies.
Currently, Millennium Engineers is implementing the "Sardine Fishing Industry – Lake Victoria" business project financed by the Energy and Environment Partnership for Africa (EEP Africa), DOEN Foundation, and Rural Energy Agency (REA), the project aims to transition the low-income sardine fishing industry in Lake Victoria, away from kerosene lanterns/LED Lead acid batteries and conventional methods of drying towards cleaner, more affordable renewable energy solutions.
Millennium Engineers is currently expanding its influence in the Blue Economy by building partnerships to implement more environmentally sustainable practices across the fishing industry.
What inspired you to start your company?
The challenges underserved communities face due to lack of access to energy for socio-economic activities triggered me to seek out solutions to assist them. When I started the company my mindset was more of an NGO/Foundation other than entrepreneurial. But as I navigated the energy sector to realize how male dominated it is, it begged the question if the solutions created truly address the majority of those most impacted (women). With access to technology know-how and information, I wanted to do business differently with a user-centred approach.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our business approach has always been guided by our company values which involve innovation, collaboration, integrity, curiosity and sustainability. With this we work on identifying niche markets and energy problems across different industries/communities, then work with the target market/potential future client in designing the solution and share finding with a wider scholar to gather more insights and share best practices. This has led to the development of innovative, impactful and sustainable business projects over the years.
Tell us a little about your team
We have a diverse multi-talented team, with expertise ranging from economics, finance, policies, technology, social works, training, research and innovation. Every Saturday we have a round-table to discuss our weekly wins, challenges, lessons and what each colleague can do to solve the matter at hand. We plan out our weeks together and work towards that common goal collectively. Treating each other as equals and yet respecting each other’s flow of authority in different departments has built a level of integrity and collaboration among us give they are part of our company values while still learning from one another.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My mother has always been a business woman creating business opportunities in the niche markets. Growing up she encouraged my entrepreneurial mindset, giving me soft loans to kick-start small school businesses. I loved multiplying and watching my money grow while she smiled and applauded my enthusiasm. She is my Finance Director still guiding me through the finance world and business as a whole.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To lead the African transition to renewables while transforming lives and the economy. Create an ecosystem of young innovators across the continent that are passionate about their people and thrive to bring ground breaking solutions to their pressing energy problems.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I have a passion of creating solutions from scratch, this along with the positive impact the solutions created bring to the communities, industry or value chain bring the entrepreneurial satisfaction.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Entrepreneurship isn’t easy and most times in the beginning it involves a lot of tears behind closed doors. Your vision, even if blurry at the moment should always push you forward, be a scholar of life, choose your struggle and most importantly who you choose as a spouse has a significant role in making it easy or harder for you. Lastly have a support system we all need a pat on the back from time to time. Looking back my biggest entrepreneurial and life challenges created the tough skin in the game and perseverance level I have now. Embrace them to grow!
To find out more about Diana Mbogo’s entrepreneurial journey and to learn more about the work of Millennium Engineers Enterprises Limited, visit the company’s website and social media platforms:
