Kiye Energie: Sustainable Energy Development in Africa

Assanatou Cisse – President and CEO

Assanatou Cisse is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of our company, a visionary leader with a proven track record of conceiving, financing, and delivering transformative energy projects across Africa. Her career is a unique synthesis of deep technical mastery in power systems, sharp financial acumen, and strategic business development, making her uniquely qualified to lead our mission of driving sustainable energy development.

A distinguished Fulbright scholar and top-ranked electrical engineer, Assanatou has over seven years of hands-on experience managing the entire project lifecycle. She has a documented history of success, from securing a $15 million loan agreement from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) for a major grid improvement project to personally directing the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of solar minigrids and thermal power plants.

Her leadership is defined by an ability to bridge the gap between high-level strategy and on-the-ground execution. Having worked at the intersection of technology, finance, and policy in both the United States and West Africa, she possesses an unparalleled understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the African energy sector. She is not only an engineer who designs systems but also a CEO who builds ventures, forges strategic partnerships, and creates lasting impact.

Her core competencies include:

  • Strategic Vision & Corporate Leadership: Setting the company’s long-term direction, building a high-performance culture, and representing the organization to investors, governments, and international partners.
  • Project Finance & Deal Structuring: Expertise in securing significant project financing, negotiating multi-million dollar contracts, and developing bankable business models for complex energy projects.
  • End-to-End Project Execution: Mastery in managing all phases of energy projects, from feasibility studies and EPC tender processes to construction, quality control, and HSE compliance.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: A proven ability to build consensus and effectively negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders, from utility corporations and development banks to local communities.

Assanatou’s commitment extends beyond infrastructure; she is a passionate advocate for education and women in STEM, actively mentoring the next generation of African innovators. Under her leadership, our company is poised to be a catalyst for progress, powering economic growth and fostering a sustainable future for the continent.

Jeremy Lin – Chief Development and Strategy Officer

Jeremy Lin is a seasoned power systems expert and strategic leader with over 25 years of experience navigating the complexities of electricity markets, grid planning, and renewable energy integration across the United States. As our Chief Development & Strategy Officer, he provides the critical analytical foundation and long-term vision that guides our company’s investment decisions and strategic direction in the African energy sector.

His distinguished career spans key roles at leading institutions including PJM Interconnection, DNV-GL, and GE Energy Consulting, giving him an unparalleled depth of knowledge in transmission economics, asset valuation, and market design. Jeremy specializes in de-risking major energy projects through sophisticated congestion and curtailment studies, basis risk analysis, and comprehensive due diligence, ensuring that our development portfolio is both financially sound and strategically positioned for long-term success.

Holding a Ph.D. in Electric Power & Energy and an MBA in Finance, Jeremy possesses a rare combination of deep technical expertise and sharp business acumen. This allows him to chart a clear path for our energy future, translating complex market dynamics, policy shifts, and emerging technologies into actionable strategies. He is adept at providing the strategic direction necessary to maximize the value of grid assets and capitalize on new market opportunities.

His core competencies include:

  • Strategic Forecasting & Market Analysis: Assessing policy impacts, emerging technologies, and market developments to define long-term opportunities and strategic initiatives.
  • Project Valuation & Risk Analysis: Conducting in-depth due diligence, financial risk assessment, and congestion modeling to evaluate and de-risk multi-million dollar energy projects.
  • Transmission & Economic Planning: Leading the economic analysis of major transmission projects and interregional planning to optimize grid infrastructure and enable renewable integration.
  • Investment Advisory: Providing expert counsel on investments in renewable resources, leveraging comprehensive analysis of electricity markets across multiple interconnects.

Jeremy’s profound understanding of the entire energy value chain, from technical operations to high-level finance, makes him an invaluable architect of our growth strategy, ensuring our projects are not only impactful but also strategically and economically optimized for success.

Djeneba Cissé – Chief Financial Officer

Djeneba Cisse is a seasoned financial leader with a proven track record in steering complex financial strategy, managing multi-billion dollar capital portfolios, and leveraging data-driven insights to optimize performance and growth. As our Chief Financial Officer, she is instrumental in shaping the financial architecture that powers our mission to drive sustainable energy development across Africa.

With a career spanning high-stakes environments in telecommunications and insurance, Djeneba brings a formidable skill set in strategic financial analysis, advanced data modeling, and performance evaluation. Her experience managing approximately $10 billion in annual capital expenditures at AT&T’s FirstNet program has equipped her with the expertise to oversee the financial rigor required for large-scale energy project development and financing.

Djeneba is passionate about transforming complex data into actionable intelligence. She has a distinguished history of developing cutting-edge data visualization tools and dashboards that provide clarity on key performance metrics, enabling strategic decision-making at the highest levels. This expertise ensures that our projects are not only financially sound but also managed with utmost transparency and efficiency from conception through to divestment.

Her core competencies include:

  • Financial Strategy & Capital Management: Expert evaluation of business opportunities, investment options, and regulatory impacts to secure and allocate capital effectively.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing advanced tools like Power BI, SQL, and financial modeling to forecast trends, manage risk, and identify growth opportunities.
  • Stakeholder Leadership: Collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional teams, investors, and government bodies to align financial execution with strategic operational goals.

Djeneba’s commitment to continuous improvement and her passion for leveraging financial insights to support meaningful, impactful work make her an invaluable leader for our company. She is dedicated to building a robust financial foundation that fosters sustainable growth and powers progress across the African continent.

Sidi Mohamed Guindo – Chief Operating Officer

Sidi Mohamed Guindo is a highly skilled technical director and operations leader with a deep-seated expertise in the engineering, implementation, and management of sustainable energy and electrical infrastructure projects. As our Chief Operations Officer, he is the driving force behind the seamless execution of our energy projects, from initial design to final commissioning, ensuring they meet the highest standards of technical excellence and operational efficiency.

With a robust background that includes leadership roles at EGEMA SARL and Africa Greentec, Sidi Mohamed possesses comprehensive, hands-on experience across the entire project lifecycle. He has a proven track record of successfully planning, supervising, and delivering a diverse portfolio of projects, including off-grid and hybrid solar photovoltaic systems, medium and low-voltage grid extensions, and complex hydroelectric works.

His technical proficiency is matched by his strong site management capabilities. Sidi Mohamed has directly overseen the construction of multiple solar power plants, including major installations of up to 150 kWc, and has managed critical grid extension projects that have brought electricity to numerous villages. His ability to manage teams, coordinate with technicians on-site, and ensure project deliverables are met on time and within budget is fundamental to our operational success.

His core competencies include:

  • Technical Project Leadership: Expert conception, dimensioning, and installation of solar PV systems, hybrid diesel-solar plants, and water pumping solutions.
  • Grid Infrastructure Development: Proven experience in the design and realization of MV and LV electrical networks, including transformer stations and line installation.
  • End-to-End Operations Management: Comprehensive oversight of all project phases, from technical studies and civil works to site supervision, commissioning, and remote monitoring.
  • Stakeholder & Team Coordination: Effective leadership of on-site technicians and collaboration with local communities and partners to ensure project alignment and success.

Sidi Mohamed’s practical engineering skills and his commitment to deploying robust and reliable energy solutions make him an invaluable asset to our leadership team. He is dedicated to translating our strategic vision into tangible, well-executed projects that power communities and foster sustainable development across Africa.