Welcome to the Conference Secretariat
Welcome to the 2026 Emerging Markets Battery Conference at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.
We are meeting at a defining moment, when the choices we make about energy storage technology, and collaboration will shape the future of our economies, our communities, and our planet. It is a privilege to welcome innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, industry leaders, and changemakers to a conference focused not only on batteries, but on the transformation they make possible.
Across emerging markets, a new energy future is taking shape — one where innovation is developed locally, value chains are built with purpose, and clean energy becomes more accessible, affordable, and inclusive. Batteries are no longer just components of modern energy systems; they are enablers of industrial growth, energy security, e-mobility, digital transformation, and climate progress.
This conference is more than a gathering of experts. It is a platform for vision and action. Here in Nairobi, ideas will be tested, partnerships will be built, and bold ambitions will be translated into practical solutions. The conversations we begin here can influence policy, unlock investment, accelerate innovation, and position emerging markets at the center of the global energy transition.
Above all, this conference reflects our shared commitment to building an energy ecosystem that advances both people and progress. Thank you for being part of this important moment.
Welcome to Nairobi. Welcome to a shared vision for the future. Welcome to the Emerging Markets Battery Conference.
Meet Our Conference Management Team
Elvis Shoko
Founder & Managing Partner, Afrionics Energy Ltd | Strategic Advisor, Faraday Institution
Dr Elvis Shoko is a preeminent champion of battery value chains within emerging markets, dedicated to ensuring these economies are central to the global energy transition. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Afrionics Energy Ltd, Dr Shoko has spearheaded numerous high-impact projects across the battery lifecycle, from raw material integration to end-user deployment.
Since 2024, Dr. Shoko has served as the Strategic Advisor to the Faraday Institution’s Battery Ambassador Programme, where he bridges the gap between the UK’s thriving battery ecosystem and emerging market innovators. Driven by a mission to elevate the discourse on regional battery activity, he founded the Emerging Markets Battery Conference to provide a dedicated global forum for these vital economies. This conference represents the fruition of his commitment to transforming emerging markets into global leaders in energy storage and sustainable technology.
Ikechukwu Ayogu
Researcher & AI Materials Specialist, ACE-FUELS |FUTO
Dr Ikechukwu Ayogu is a pioneer in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Materials Science, dedicated to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy across Africa. Based at the Africa Centre of Excellence in Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS) in Nigeria, Dr Ayogu specialises in using Machine Learning algorithms to discover and optimise locally abundant resources for next-generation battery technologies.
By integrating data-driven insights with electrochemical research, Dr. Ayogu’s work addresses the unique “local realities” of energy storage in resource-constrained regions. His visionary approach focused on building resilient, affordable, and clean energy futures—positions him as a key leader in the conference’s mission to drive indigenous innovation through high-tech digital solutions.
Enzo Langi
Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador & Lecturer, Copperbelt University
Dr Enzoh Langi is a leading voice in the sustainable lifecycle of energy storage, specialising in the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the management of critical materials. As a PhD graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University (UK) and a Master’s holder in Advanced Engineering Materials from the University of Liverpool, Dr Langi combines deep technical theory with four years of hands-on industrial experience as a Service Engineer at SKF (Zambia) Ltd.
A recognised Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador for Zambia, Dr Langi is at the forefront of regional efforts to establish circular economies for battery technologies. His research, spanning material characterisation, microstructural analysis, and mechanical behaviour, is published in leading international journals and presented on global stages. At the Strathmore Battery Conference, he serves as a vital link between advanced material science and the practical challenges of EV battery second-life and disposal.
Najib Hussain
Associate Professor, School of Electrical Engineering, UiTM | Associate Fellow, Solar Research Institute (SRI)
Dr Mohd Najib is a Professional Engineer and a leading expert in the integration of Renewable Energy and Power Electronics. Currently an Associate Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and an Associate Fellow at the Solar Research Institute, Dr Najib’s work is essential for bridging the gap between battery storage and utility-scale solar infrastructure.
With a PhD in Electrical Engineering and extensive experience as a technical expert for the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GreenTech Malaysia), Dr Najib brings a pragmatic, “bankable” perspective to the battery industry. His portfolio includes serving as a consultant for the 50MW Edra Solar Project, one of the region’s significant large-scale solar developments. At this conference, his expertise in power quality and converter technology provides the critical technical link needed to move battery innovation from the laboratory to the national grid.
Julius Butime
Pioneering Dean, School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, Strathmore University
Eng. Dr Julius Butime is an internationally recognised leader in engineering education and capacity building, with over 14 years of experience spanning Africa and Europe. As the pioneering Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering Sciences at Strathmore University, Dr Butime has been instrumental in aligning academic excellence with industrial demands, specifically focusing on technology-driven solutions for climate resilience.
A Faraday Institution Battery Ambassador, Dr Butime is a central figure in the movement to harmonise battery technology research with sustainable energy systems across the continent. His leadership extends to major regional initiatives, including serving as Co-Principal Investigator for the Multidisciplinary Mobility for a Climate Resilient Africa grant. With a career that includes heading engineering training at AFRALTI and leading the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Makerere University, Dr. Butime brings a deep wealth of experience in forging the public-private partnerships necessary to power Africa’s energy transition
Rudolph Kashinga
Senior Lecturer & Head of Mechanical Engineering, Copperbelt University
Dr Rudolph Kashinga is a distinguished engineering professional specialising in the Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Computational Mechanics—fields at the forefront of battery durability and structural innovation. Currently serving as the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at The Copperbelt University, Zambia, Dr Kashinga brings a wealth of international expertise to the secretariat, having completed post-doctoral research at Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics and a PhD at Loughborough University.
With a focus on the structural integrity of complex systems, Dr Kashinga’s work is vital to the battery industry’s push for safer, more resilient energy storage solutions. A Fellow of the Engineering Institution of Zambia (FEIZ), he has bridged the gap between academia and industry through high-level consultancies, including the design of cryogenic systems and feasibility studies for industrial manufacturing plants. At this year’s conference, he leverages his deep background in material mechanics to help shape the conversation on the future of energy storage hardware.
David Kimathi
Communications & Multimedia Lead | Strathmore University
David Kiogora Kimathi is a seasoned communications strategist and multimedia specialist dedicated to amplifying the impact of technical innovation. As the Communications Officer for Content Development at Strathmore University’s School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, David leads the strategic storytelling efforts that bring complex research—such as battery technology and renewable energy—to a global audience.
With a background in journalism and digital media from Africa Nazarene University, David has a proven track record of producing high-stakes content for organisations like TV47 and various international NGOs. For this conference, David serves as the primary bridge between groundbreaking engineering research and the community, leveraging his expertise in photography, videography, and digital platforms to translate technical breakthroughs into compelling, human-centred narratives.
Ghulam Ali
Associate Professor & Head of Research, USPCAS-E, NUST
Dr Ghulam Ali is a distinguished expert in electrochemical energy storage, with over 15 years of pioneering research in Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion battery technologies. As the Head of Department Research at the U.S.-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), NUST, his work sits at the cutting edge of crystallinity engineering and the optimisation of advanced electrode materials.
Dr Ali brings unparalleled hands-on expertise in battery fabrication and characterisation to the secretariat. Beyond the laboratory, he is a seasoned academic leader who has successfully orchestrated three international symposia and five specialised workshops on energy storage. His commitment to promoting indigenous energy technologies and his extensive portfolio in leading international journals make him a cornerstone of the conference’s mission to bridge global research with local energy solutions.
Stephen Ntiamoah
Financial Lead & Head of Management Accounting, UENR
Stephen Yaw Ntiamoah is a distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), Ghana, with over 15 years of expertise in the high-stakes financial administration of energy-focused academic institutions. As the Deputy Director of Finance at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Stephen specialises in the financial governance of large-scale, donor-funded energy projects—a critical component for the scaling of battery ecosystems in emerging markets.
With a proven track record in enhancing financial transparency and operational efficiency, Stephen ensures the structural integrity of complex project budgets. His strategic mindset and commitment to sound financial governance provide the essential fiscal foundation required to align ambitious battery research with long-term industrial viability. For this conference, he brings
Chitha Msowoya
Business Innovation & Projects Specialist | Senior Accountant, Mzuzu University
Chitha is a versatile finance and business leader with over 18 years of experience bridging the gap between rigorous financial management and industrial innovation. Currently leading project accounting at Mzuzu University, Chitha is a Certified Business Innovation and Incubation Manager (AAIN), recognised for his role in transforming youth-led initiatives into viable business ventures.
With an Executive MBA and an advanced background in Finance and Investment from the London School of Business and Finance, Chitha brings a sophisticated investment lens to the battery sector. His leadership extends across high-level boards in the private and public sectors, including serving as Board Chair for St. John’s Hospital. A serial entrepreneur and co-founder of the Concerned Youth Organisation, Chitha’s expertise in scaling startups and managing donor-funded project lifecycles is essential for driving the commercialisation of battery technologies in emerging markets.