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The Scholarship
The Scholars

Koaile Monaheng

Lesotho & University of Cape Town, 2020

Koaile Monaheng is a self-starter, consultant, leader, and African storyteller who believes that Africans can be agents capable of determining their own destinies, by rewriting themselves into the history. As a cross-disciplinary systems thinker from Lesotho, bringing unique perspectives on harnessing African agency positioning and the implementation of effective climate change strategies, renewable energy transition and sustainable development practices. By embracing the untapped potential of youth from Least Developed Countries, Koaile regards himself strategically placed to be resilient, innovative, agile and adaptable by disrupting ecosystems designed to hold young people back.

Koaile was named as one of the ‘FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30’ Class of 2023. The major highlights of this recognition are two-fold; firstly, Koaile Monaheng is the first Mosotho to be identified on the Forbes Africa list, and secondly, he is one of the cover stars of the class of 2023. Koaile is the associate director of Khantša Energy and currently serves on the Lesotho National Climate Change Committee (NCCC). Its main function is to advise the Ministry of Energy and Meteorology (MEM), through the Department of Meteorology (LMS) on effective implementation of the National Climate Change Policy and reviews Lesotho's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). His other work in Lesotho is with the Energy Sector Coordination Forum (ESCF), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning SDG Investor Mapping and the Green Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP). He was selected as one of 5 winners of the Mandela-Rhodes Foundation’s Äänit Prize award for social impact, and a Mail & Guardian: Greening the Future recipient under: Clean and Renewable Energy Projects in 2022. Koaile has been invited as a facilitator, speaker and panelist on numerous local and international platforms such as the Embassy of Italy, the British High Commission, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP), Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing State (UN-OHRLLS), YOUNGO Conference of Youth (COY), Qatar Fund for Development, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Hare Autumn School on Social Democracy and Political Economy. In these spaces, Koaile continues to advocate for the African climate change experience that places the lived experience of Africans on the periphery in negotiations.

In his current role as an expert on renewable energy for the Global Platform of Action (PoA) on Renewables at Climate Action Network-International (CAN-I) he advises global Civil Society Organisations and CAN members in developing policy approaches in their region on Clean Renewables, Clean Energy policy formulation and NDC enhancement and together partner experts, supports the development of a political global/regional strategy for the PoA that encourages the finance sector and the business community to significantly accelerate financing, implementing and purchasing Clean Renewables in next years. With extensive knowledge in global climate governance and sustainability issues, Koaile has his sights set on building climate resilience in Lesotho for the most marginalized populations through entrepreneurship; firstly, through a forthcoming non-governmental initiative under Khantša. Secondly, by sharing his expertise in corporate governance, integrated reporting, climate-related disclosure, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices worldwide, Koaile is the founder of a social enterprise & consultancy that seeks to drive collective action through a multi-stakeholder approach to raising awareness about climate change, building resilience, and providing guidance on Lesotho’s sustainability journey.

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