Ms. Jane Nakasamu is a multi-award-winning Renewable Energy Consultant and the Founder of
Greenbelt Energy, Zambia’s fastest-growing cleantech startup. Under her leadership, Greenbelt
Energy has been at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, specializing in biogas and
organic fertilizer production from waste. Jane spearheaded a government-funded feasibility
study on a municipal waste-to-energy project, which promoted climate resilience in rural
communities through energy democracy and independent biogas production. Her efforts have
also included fostering sustainable public-private partnerships and training over 100 youths and
women in energy and environmental sustainability.
Jane has led several significant educational initiatives, including the Lusaka City Council
Bloomberg-funded Youth Climate Action Fund, which targeted 1,000 traders in Soweto
Market—Zambia’s largest market. She also co-mentored 80 participants during the 2023 Italy
IRENA Action for Climate training workshop in Zambia. Her contributions to the IRENA Youth
Forum at the 13th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi helped spotlight cleantech innovation on a
global stage. Additionally, she developed the 2023 Commonwealth Sustainable Energy
Transition Youth Compendium and served as a Data Consultant for the University of
Edinburgh’s project on policy coherence for sustainable development in Zambia, focusing on the
climate-water-energy-food nexus.
Currently a Consultant at Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre, Jane provides technical
support and capacity building to utilities across the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) and Africa at large. She is actively involved in the renewable energy sector, advising
investors and project developers on energy investment opportunities and risks across Africa.
Jane also serves as an Advisor to the Ministry of Energy’s Energy Sector Advisory Group Clean
Cooking Sub-Committee, Chairperson of the Ministry of Energy Off-Grid Taskforce Bioenergy
Sub-Committee, and leads the Knowledge Development Workstream of the Commonwealth
Sustainable Energy Transition Youth.
Jane’s experience is rooted in a robust academic background, with an undergraduate degree in
International Relations, an MBA in Oil and Gas Management, and postgraduate certificates in
renewable energy.