Africa has a challenge in finding new, innovative and sustainable solutions to meet its growing energy needs, and that’s where Charlotte Aubin of GreenWish Partners headquartered in Mauritius has a renewable solution.
LoA chatted to Charlotte Aubin this month to find out more about this innovative and game-changing company.
What does your company do?
GreenWish Partners is a pioneering renewable energy power producer dedicated to Africa. In 2016, we inaugurated the first industrial scale solar farm in Senegal. We develop, build and finance renewable energy solutions for government utilities, private sector and populations across the African continent.
"My driver to become an entrepreneur was my need to be consistent in my values both in my personal and professional life and especially to add a purpose to my business."
What inspired you to start your company?
After a successful career in international investment banking as Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, I decided in 2009 to dedicate my energy and expertise to financing the real economy with positive social and environmental impact. The economist Lord Stern summarized my vision and mission: “In the 21st century, we have 2 major challenges to address - Climate Change and World Poverty. We have to tackle them together and capture the underlying business opportunities. That is the foundation of GreenWish Partners. We bring climate smart solutions to people.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We are pioneers of solar energy on the continent. We combine international and local networks, technical, financial and contractual expertise with a massive transformative purpose of accelerating social and economic development in Africa by bringing access to power. We also have a strong investment capacity to deliver promptly on our clean power solutions for the continent.
"I want GreenWish to be the leading transformative independent clean power producer in Africa, accelerating electrification and its productive uses, including access to digital services in rural areas."
Tell us a little about your team
We gathered an amazing international and diversified team with multiple expertise and country experience. Our team is driven by our mission as well as our values: inclusive, change maker and discipline. The team is spread across multiple countries on the African the continent: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Congo DRC, Kenya, and South Africa.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I became an entrepreneur at 36 after 14 years of investment banking successful experience. I always wanted to be entrepreneur but needed experience and credibility in my field of experience to start my own business. My driver to become an entrepreneur was my need to be consistent in my values both in my personal and professional life and especially to add a purpose to my business. The first year was challenging but I never doubted my journey. Today I feel blessed to implement my vision and impact people and planet while creating jobs and economic values.
"Today I feel blessed to implement my vision and impact people and planet while creating jobs and economic values."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I want GreenWish to be the leading transformative independent clean power producer in Africa, accelerating electrification and its productive uses, including access to digital services in rural areas. This includes clean power solutions to governments, private sector such as telecom and industrial but also populations. I am especially committed to support women empowerment through our GreenWish Villages.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Freedom and creativity. Being an entrepreneur allowed me to define the vision, mission and values of my company, but also to surround myself with like-minded talented people. It gave me the freedom to create my business and gave me the opportunity to meet the most amazing and inspiring leaders.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
A quote of Marianne Williamson: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light not our Darkness, that most frightens us.” So my advice to women is believe in yourself and surround yourself with peers and mentors that will support you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Contact or follow GreenWish Partners
WEBSITE | TWITTER | EMAIL c.aubin@greenwishpartners.com
Why LoA loves it….
Africa needs people who bring big, game-changing visions to the table in order to make positive change happen. In the field of finding sustainable energy solutions on the continent, Charlotte Aubin is such a visionary. At Lionesses of Africa, we love Charlotte’s ability to think big, to bring the right combinations of stakeholders to the party, and to roll-out life-changing, energy giving solutions to Africa’s growing power needs. The continent needs more like her if it is to fully realize its social and economic potential. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa