Hannah Kabir a lead in clean energy space

Hannah Kabir, the CEO and Founder of Creeds Energy, has always been a woman of vision and determination. Her journey to transform the energy landscape in Nigeria had its fair share of challenges, but it was also marked by remarkable achievements. Creeds Energy was her brainchild, and it had grown to span Abuja and eleven other locations across the country.

Every day in Hannah's life is a new adventure. As a businesswoman in the energy sector, her days are filled with unique flavours. It is a constant juggling act, managing her team and various stakeholders, and ensuring that their strategies, targets, and goals stay on course. She is to be flexible in the face of unexpected changes and unknowns. Yet, amidst all the chaos, the satisfaction of delivering their services, solutions, and commitments as a team makes it all worthwhile.

Hannah's journey in the energy sector began in 2012. She is the first daughter in a family of eleven children, and her parents hailed from Kano state. Her early years were split between Lagos and the United Kingdom. Armed with a degree in business economics, she embarked on her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) stint in the telecommunications field in Nigeria.

It was during her time studying renewable energy in Newcastle that she fell in love with the field, believing it to be the future. The idea of founding Creeds Energy was her way of contributing to the solution of granting access to electricity to Nigerians. Her journey into the renewable energy path was encouraged by her brother and supported by her parents, who empowered her to strive for excellence as a woman in the field.

What inspired Hannah to enter this field was the stark challenge that Nigeria, as one of the world's richest oil-producing nations, faced with power supply. It was a paradox that she was determined to unravel. Her work gives her a deep sense of fulfilment, knowing that the solutions she is providing make a substantial difference to businesses, households, and people's livelihoods. In essence, she is powering prosperity in Nigeria.

As a woman entrepreneur, Hannah faced the typical startup challenges. Early on, her struggles revolved around finding quality products and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). As the journey progressed, it became about building a track record, penetrating the market, operating within unstable economic dynamics, and raising finance.

The support of the Universal Energy Facility (UEF) has played a pivotal role in Hannah's journey. Through this grant, Creeds Energy has been able to amplify its reach in providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access to thousands of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and productive users across Nigeria. The UEF grant has not only served as a de-risking facility but has also instilled confidence in other potential investors. It has allowed Creeds Energy to leverage these funds to unlock additional financing, contributing to its own equity and making this transformative project a reality. As Hannah mentioned, having undergone rigorous due diligence with this round of blended financing, she is hopeful that raising subsequent funds will be an easier endeavour.

Hannah Kabir's journey and her unwavering commitment to addressing Nigeria's energy challenges serve as a shining example for aspiring entrepreneurs and advocates in the renewable energy sector. With the UEF's support, Creeds Energy is well on its way to making a lasting impact on the nation's energy landscape and the lives of its people.

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