Launching a New Era in Climate Expertise
Allied Talent Partners (ATP) has made a significant entrance into the climate and clean energy sector with its official launch at the M300 Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This innovative talent marketplace is poised to alleviate the talent bottleneck hampering many climate and energy initiatives across Africa, aligning perfectly with Mission 300's vision of providing electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
The Need for Localized Solutions
During the Summit, which gathered key stakeholders from the African Development Bank to the World Bank, ATP emerged as a beacon for bridging the gap between skilled professionals and pressing project needs. Rachel Moré-Oshodi, an ATP Board Member and CEO of ARM-Harith, expressed the urgency of Africa's climate challenges and the role ATP would play in addressing them by mobilizing top talent for impactful projects.
ATP is directly addressing the skills gap that has resulted in delayed projects, which are crucial for energy access and transitioning to sustainable energy solutions. The platform promises to connect independent climate experts with a broad spectrum of projects, including governmental initiatives, non-profit ventures, and private sector developments. ATP's initiatives cover a diverse array of climate-related areas, from solar energy to water management and electric vehicle infrastructure.
Examples of Impactful Projects
ATP's approach is demonstrated through several completed projects. Notable achievements include a ten-month support engagement for an infrastructure firm in North Africa, a partnership on a 20MW Battery Energy Storage System in West Africa, and initiatives assessing enhanced rock weathering in Southern Africa. Through these projects, ATP not only addresses immediate climate issues but also ensures local stakeholders gain valuable expertise to sustain ongoing environmental efforts.
ATP’s unique sourcing strategy starts with prioritizing local talent, expanding to regional networks before reaching out to global pools. This concentric approach ensures that African experts are at the forefront of solutions, thereby fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability in project execution.
Flexible and Efficient Talent Management
Harnessing a globally successful operational model, ATP aims to make the process of matching talent to projects seamless. Managing Director, Sarah McNeilly, emphasized how ATP offers an administrative backbone, managing everything from contracting to payroll, thus allowing organizations to focus on their core missions while adequately constituting project teams with the right independent professionals.
With a current database of over 2,500 professionals, more than 70% of whom are from Africa, ATP has set an ambitious target to prepare a pool of 5,000 independent consultants in the next year. This expansion reflects ATP's strong commitment to building long-term capacity and expertise on the continent.
Key Partnerships and Future Aspirations
ATP is actively cultivating strategic partnerships with major organizations invested in energy access and climate change. Notable collaborations include the World Bank, Trade and Development Bank, Rockefeller Foundation, and several others, which share ATP’s vision of creating impactful solutions through skilled talent deployment.
Admassu Tadesse, President of TDB Group, highlighted the importance of skilled professionals in advancing energy access, verifying ATP's critical role in this process. ATP’s recent engagement with Rockefeller Catalytic Capital for talent needs in Zambia and Mozambique illustrates its proactive stance in furthering energy solutions within the region.
Moving forward, ATP plans to partner with leading organizations such as the African Climate Foundation and others due to their aligned missions in nurturing climate-focused talent, establishing a network committed to developing sustainable economic initiatives.
Conclusion
As ATP embarks on this pivotal journey, it embodies the potential for groundbreaking change in Africa's approach to climate action. By connecting specialized expertise to pressing projects, ATP not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for a more sustainable, empowered future for communities throughout the continent. For more information, visit
Allied Talent Partners.