Maxine Chikumbo

Consultant

RMI

Washington D.C., United States

13 profile visitsSpeakerOn-site Delegate

Maxine is an independent consultant specializing in stakeholder engagement, communications, events, and partnerships to drive sustainable development.

My organisation

RMI

Industry & Private Sector

Boulder, CO, United States

RMI is dedicated to transforming global energy systems by leveraging market-driven solutions to achieve a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. In Africa, we focus on promoting sustainable electricity access to foster equitable development. Our efforts encompass several key areas: -Capacity Development: We provide tailored capacity development opportunities that directly respond to the needs of energy practitioners in the Global South. -Scaling Distributed Energy: We work with local partners to implement distributed energy resource projects that test innovative business models and technical designs that catalyze sector growth -Climate Finance: Through initiatives like the Catalytic Climate Capital (C3) program and the Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN), we de-risk clean energy investments to unlock funding and improve the capacity of low-income countries to access green investments. -Unlocking Power System Transformation: We support the development of least-cost, sustainable grids to modernize energy infrastructure. -Productive Use of Energy: We stimulate efficient energy demand to boost local economic growth and productivity. By forging strategic partnerships, RMI catalyzes market-driven solutions that enable resilient communities and thriving businesses across the continent and beyond. == RMI is attending EAIF 2025 to represent the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP in partnership with RMI and the African Development Bank (AfDB), AMP supports and complements existing efforts in Africa’s minigrid sector. 🔗 Learn more about AMP: https://africaminigrids.org/ 📢 Follow AMP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-minigrids-program #MinigridsForAfrica

About me

Maxine has supported cross-cutting programs across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the United States. Passionate about empowering communities, protecting the planet, and delivering impactful messaging, she engages stakeholders and leverages strategic communications to influence behavior, shape policy, and scale sustainable development solutions.

Currently, Maxine is an independent consultant. Previously, she contributed to mission-driven organizations including RMI, the World Resources Institute (WRI), the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Girl Up Initiative Uganda, and the International Support Network for African Development (ISNAD-Africa).

Her expertise lies at the intersection of energy access, sustainability, and community-driven impact.

My organisation

RMI

https://rmi.org/

Founded in 1982 as Rocky Mountain Institute, RMI is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all.

RMI is attending EAIF 2025 to represent the Africa Minigrids Program (AMP). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP with RMI and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the AMP aims to complement existing efforts in Africa’s minigrid sector.

Country-level projects are led by national partners, with regional coordination and knowledge-sharing co-led by UNDP and RMI, including an AMP community of practice through RMI’s Energy Transition Academy. Launched in 2022, the program will run until 2027 and includes Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Sudan, and Zambia.

Learn more about AMP: https://africaminigrids.org/

Follow AMP on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/africa-minigrids-program #MinigridsForAfrica

Social media

Skills

Community engagement
Capacity Development
Strategic Communications
Event coordination
Stakeholder Management

Interests

Energy Access
Public Health
Food Security
Gender Inclusion
Climate Action

Additional questions

Organisation Type

Other

Speaker sessions (2)

Thursday, 10 April 2025

10:00 - 13:00

[Invite only: Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) (UNDP/RMI) workshop] Fundamentals for Market Preparation

Approval requiredMahogany Hall (Mezzanine)

This session will equip participants with the essential knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of mini-grid market development.

15:15 - 17:10

[Africa Minigrids Program (AMP) (UNDP/RMI) workshop] Data & digitalisation: Deep dive

Mahogany Hall (Mezzanine)

This session aims to show the linkages between data and financing for mini-grids, identify actionable solutions and drive data-driven growth in the sector through new partnership opportunities.