- Since receiving the 2024 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award, how has Hakem Energies scaled in project size, energy capacity delivered, funding secured, or markets entered?
Since receiving the award, Hakem Energies has transitioned from pilot phase to structured scale. We have grown from two LPG Box sites to five operational sites, more than doubling our footprint, and expanded into an additional province – proving the model’s ability to work beyond a single geography.
We have also strengthened our market position through additional industry recognitions, national TV and radio features, and speaking engagements at key industry events.
Most importantly, our clean cooking initiatives continue to expand access to safe and affordable energy in underserved communities, directly impacting households that need reliable energy solutions the most.
2. Have you had a “pinch me” moment since winning the award?
Yes, I’ve had several “pinch me” moments since winning the award.
One that stands out happened at an airport in Zurich. A woman called me by name, and for a moment, I was confused. She then said, “I know you from Veuve Clicquot,” and shared how my journey had inspired her.
Standing there, thousands of kilometres away from home and being recognised not for status but for impact, was a profound moment of gratitude. It reminded me that this work travels much further than we often realise.
3. Energy is a high-stakes, high-impact industry. How has your leadership approach evolved as your responsibility and footprint grow?
Energy is high-stakes commercially, politically and socially. As our footprint has grown, my leadership has evolved from hands-on operator to systems thinker.
Today I lead with a sharper focus on governance, risk management, stakeholder alignment and long-term sustainability. Every decision we make affects safety, livelihoods and community trust.
I have also become more collaborative in my approach, bringing together government, private sector and community stakeholders to design solutions that are both commercially viable and socially transformative. With greater scale comes greater accountability, and that awareness shapes how I lead every day.
4. In what ways has the Bold network supported you in navigating growth in a technically complex industry?
The Bold network may not operate directly within the energy sector, but it has supported my growth in equally meaningful ways. Through the network, I’ve met extraordinary women in business who have become sisters, mentors, mentees, collaborators and now business associates. That ecosystem of trusted relationships has strengthened my decision-making, broadened my strategic thinking and opened doors to new opportunities. In a technically complex and often isolating industry like energy, having a high-calibre peer network provides perspective and encouragement, as well as access, all of which are essential when scaling impact.
5. What does it mean to be a woman building in the energy transition space within this five-year Bold legacy?
Being a woman working in the energy transition within this five-year Bold legacy carries both responsibility and representation.
Energy transition in Africa cannot be defined only by carbon metrics; it must also address energy poverty. Our work focuses on ensuring that clean, safe and affordable energy reaches households that have historically been excluded from the system.
For me, this work is closely connected to gender realities on the ground. Women in rural and township communities are often the primary energy managers in their homes. When they are empowered as entrepreneurs, distributors and decision-makers, the effects ripple through entire local economies.
We are shifting fuel sources, but we are also expanding opportunity, dignity and access.
To be part of this Bold legacy shows that women are active participants in shaping the energy transition. The work happens in one household, one family and one community at a time.
6. What would you say to women entering science, energy or engineering fields about claiming space confidently?
You do not need permission to belong; competence is your authority.
These industries may still be male-dominated, but they are not male-owned. Show up prepared. Invest in yourself. Master your craft. Understand the technical language, ask precise questions and make data-driven arguments. Confidence in technical spaces grows from capability.
It is also important not to shrink your voice to make others comfortable. The energy transition, climate resilience and infrastructure development require diverse thinking. Your lived experience strengthens the work.
Claim your space by contributing value, building alliances and remaining consistent. Over time, expertise speaks for itself.
And remember: when you enter a room, you are also expanding it for those who will come after you.