Liilnna Kifle is an energy professional with experience in both the on-grid and off-grid sectors. She holds LLB from Addis Ababa University (2014) and LLM in Energy Law from the University of Aberdeen, UK (2017). Liilnna was a Chevening Scholar in 2016/17.

It was when she was working as a corporate lawyer in one of the biggest Law Offices in Ethiopia, Mehrteab Leul and Associate, that Liilnna first had a chance to work with private companies interested to invest in the Ethiopian energy sector. This experience together with the reforms undertaken by the government towards attracting private investment in electricity generation informed her decision to pursue her master’s in Energy law. Thereafter, her specialized master’s degree (energy law) has opened more doors for her to be involved in different large-scale energy deals. 

Currently, she is a senior energy consultant with Veritas Consulting PLC leading investment engagements. With Veritas, she led reviews on the existing regulatory and policy frameworks to identify specific resolutions required to create an enabling business environment for commercial mini-grid investments. She also supports the development of investment risk mitigation strategies to attract private investment in commercial mini-grids. Liilnna is also serving as an executive board member at the Ethiopian Women in Energy and holds a treasurer position within the association.

 Before joining Veritas Liilnna worked for Enel Green Power SpA as a business developer for projects in Ethiopia, where among other tasks, she was responsible for developing a 100MW Metehara solar project which is in the process of commercial closure. And, before that, during her time at the law firm, she has advised several multinational companies investing in the energy and mining sectors.

Liilnna believes increased participation of private companies is critical to meet the country’s energy demand. Thus, through the different roles she held, Liilnna supports companies to invest in Ethiopia’s energy sector. She is hopeful that the current reforms being undertaken will attract more private investment to the sector and contribute to decreasing the energy access gap of the country.