Terra Energy

About Us

We are a youth-led sustainable energy consulting firm, with a mission to tackle Africa’s complex energy and climate challenges

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About Us

We are a youth-led consulting firm on a mission to tackle Africa's complex energy and climate challenges

Terra Energy was founded in September 2022 by Dr. Mohamed Alhaj, a Sudanese sustainable energy engineer and researcher. His motivation was to tackle Africa's complex energy and climate challenges by leveraging his technical and analytical expertise, while also empowering youth to lead Africa's energy transformation.

 

Africa's energy and climate challenges require the empowerment of youth through education, training, and work opportunities. This is what Terra Energy is doing through its dedicated knowledge hub; Clean Energy 4 Africa.

 

Our Team

Uwera Gladys

Administrative Assistant

Uwera Gladys

Administrative Assistant
<img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1731491964479-300x300.jpeg&quot; alt="" width="300" height="300" /> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/uwera-gladys/"&gt; Connect on LinkedIn </a> <a href="mailto:gladys@terraenergi.co"> Email </a> <h2>Uwera Gladys</h2> Administrative Assistant Gladys is a proficient professional with extensive expertise in event management, marketing, and administrative support. With exceptional organizational capabilities and keen attention to detail, Gladys excels in coordinating and executing high-stakes events. With a solid background in crafting strategic marketing plans and conducting comprehensive market research, she is a true asset for Terra Energy. Her administrative skills include but are not limited to managing complex schedules, coordinating travel, and facilitating seamless communication across teams. Gladys is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Dr. Mohamed Alhaj

Founder & Managing Director

Dr. Mohamed Alhaj

Founder & Managing Director
<p><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Mohammed01-300x300.jpg&quot; alt="" width="300" height="300" /></p><p> </p><p><strong>My areas of expertise:</strong></p><ul><li>Strategy & execution</li><li>Market research</li><li>Stakeholder consultations</li><li>Policy analysis</li><li>Climate finance</li><li>Business model innovation</li><li>Technical assistance</li><li>Techno-economic feasibility studies</li><li>Entrepreneurship support services</li><li>Grant writing services</li><li>Advisory services for intl. companies, philanthropies, and development agencies</li><li>Market entry strategy and intl. business development</li><li>Training and capacity building </li></ul> <h2>Dr. Mohamed Alhaj</h2> <p>Founder & Managing Director of Terra Energy</p> <a href="mailto:mohamed@terraenergi.co" target="_blank"> Mail-bulk </a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamedalhaj/&quot; target="_blank"> Linkedin </a> <a href="http://wa.link/1q33k2&quot; target="_blank"> Whatsapp </a> <p>Dr. Mohamed Alhaj is a young Sudanese energy leader and a sustainable energy expert. He is the founder and managing director of Terra Energy - a Rwanda-based boutique consulting firm that provides advisory services in the energy and climate sectors to development agencies, governments, the private sector, and philanthropies. He is also a Certified ILO Trainer for Start & Improve Your Business (SIYB).</p><p>Dr. Mohamed's expertise in renewable energy and climate spans 10+ years and covers government advisory, consultancy projects, strategy and execution, policy analysis, academic research, and youth development in the MENA region and sub-Saharan Africa. He has robust working experience with numerous intl. organizations, philanthropies, and development agencies such as the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, UN Trade and Development, kFW, AFD, GIZ, Development Bank of Rwanda, the European Commission, BASE, and RES4Africa Foundation. This includes projects on private sector development, investment strategies, business model innovation, technical assistance, market research, capacity-building, and business development. Furthermore, he worked for over four years as a technical expert with the Public Utility Company in Qatar, where he took part in developing the national renewable energy strategy for the country (2024).</p><p>Mohamed completed his Ph.D. at 28 years old, at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar) where he worked on developing a sustainable solar-driven seawater desalination technology. His Ph.D. research investigated the technical performance, environmental impact, and economic feasibility of solar-driven low-pressure thermal desalination. He published numerous peer-reviewed papers in the highest-impact journals in the areas of sustainability, solar energy, desalination, and life-cycle assessment.</p><p>Dr. Mohamed is a contributor to The World Bank B-Ready Report, the Annual Solar Outlook Report (2022), published by the Middle East Solar Industries Association, and the Africa Solar Outlook Report (2023 - 2025), published by the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA). Moreover, he participated as a panelist, a moderator, and a speaker in numerous intl. conferences and forums in Sudan, Qatar, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Seychelles, Egypt, Gabon, and Rwanda. He was also featured by RES4Africa Foundation, PowerforAll, Frontier Africa Reports, and TRT Haber – Turkish National Television & Radio Network.</p> <h3>Organizations I consulted/worked for:</h3> <figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Untitled-design.png&quot; alt="Untitled design" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Untitled-design2.png&quot; alt="Untitled design2" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3.png&quot; alt="3" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/9.png&quot; alt="9" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/8.png&quot; alt="8" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/7.png&quot; alt="7" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/6.png&quot; alt="6" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/5.png&quot; alt="5" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4.png&quot; alt="4" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GFA_logo-removebg-preview.png&quot; alt="GFA_logo-removebg-preview" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/UN_Trade_logo-removebg-preview.png&quot; alt="UN_Trade_logo-removebg-preview" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/European_Commission.svg-removebg-preview.png&quot; alt="European_Commission.svg-removebg-preview" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/BRD-removebg-preview.png&quot; alt="BRD-removebg-preview" /></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nav-1-768x644.png&quot; alt="nav" /></figure> <h3>I was a speaker, moderator, participant at:</h3> <figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ff.png&quot; alt="High-Level Public Private Dialogue on Private Sector Investment in Electricity & Infrastructure Development in Africa, Ethiopia, 2023" /><figcaption>High-Level Public Private Dialogue on Private Sector Investment in Electricity & Infrastructure Development in Africa, Ethiopia, 2023</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20230626_122504-e1705830662826-768x1036.jpg&quot; alt="EU-Rwanda Business Forum, Rwanda, 2023" /><figcaption>EU-Rwanda Business Forum, Rwanda, 2023</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Untitled-design-1.png&quot; alt="Africa Climate Week, Gabon, 2022" /><figcaption>Africa Climate Week, Gabon, 2022</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/1656759690191-768x576.jpeg&quot; alt="Youth Task Force Meeting, RES4Africa Foundation, Italy, 2022" /><figcaption>Youth Task Force Meeting, RES4Africa Foundation, Italy, 2022</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/55.png&quot; alt="Intl. Youth Day celebration event, Qatar, 2023" /><figcaption>Intl. Youth Day celebration event, Qatar, 2023</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/dd.png&quot; alt="COP27, Egypt, 2022" /><figcaption>COP27, Egypt, 2022</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/a5c91290-a448-4f97-bfdd-197aec34b413-768x725.jpg&quot; alt="Africa Energy Expo, Rwanda, 2024" /><figcaption>Africa Energy Expo, Rwanda, 2024</figcaption></figure> <h3>Reports & Studies I contributed to:</h3> <a href="https://terraenergi.co/introducing-terra-energys-flagship-report-on-utility-scale-solar-in-sudan/"&gt; <img width="607" height="861" src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.27.15 PM.png&quot; alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.27.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?w=607&ssl=1 607w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.27.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=211%2C300&ssl=1 211w" sizes="(max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px" /> </a> <img width="607" height="861" src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WB-report.png&quot; alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WB-report.png?w=607&ssl=1 607w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WB-report.png?resize=211%2C300&ssl=1 211w" sizes="(max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px" /> <a href="https://energy-base.org/app/uploads/2023/04/I2Z-Report-High-Quality-FINAL.pdf"&gt; <img width="595" height="848" src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.26.56 PM.png&quot; alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.26.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?w=595&ssl=1 595w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.26.56%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=210%2C300&ssl=1 210w" sizes="(max-width: 595px) 100vw, 595px" /> </a> <a href="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tanzania-Market-Brief-Terra-Energy.pdf"&gt; <img width="640" height="905" src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-27-at-1.49.02 PM-724x1024.png&quot; alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-27-at-1.49.02%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=724%2C1024&ssl=1 724w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-27-at-1.49.02%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1 212w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-27-at-1.49.02%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=768%2C1086&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-27-at-1.49.02%E2%80%AFPM.png?w=1078&ssl=1 1078w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /> </a> <a href="https://cleanenergy4africa.org/introducing-the-guide-to-solar-energy-in-sudan/"&gt; <img width="627" height="886" src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.28.08 PM.png&quot; alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.28.08%E2%80%AFPM.png?w=627&ssl=1 627w, https://i0.wp.com/terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Screenshot-2024-03-30-at-1.28.08%E2%80%AFPM.png?resize=212%2C300&ssl=1 212w" sizes="(max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px" /> </a> <h3>Articles, policy memos, and op-eds:</h3> <p><strong>Reports, articles, and op-eds</strong></p><ul><li>Co-authored a market brief on “Tanzania’s Renewable Energy Landscape”. <strong>2024</strong>. Available <a href="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Tanzania-Market-Brief-Terra-Energy.pdf">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Contributor to the report “The Role of Africa’s ESCO Market”. Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy and Integrate to Zero. <strong>2023</strong>. Available <a href="https://energy-base.org/app/uploads/2023/04/I2Z-Report-High-Quality-FINAL.pdf">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Co-authored a report on “Utility-scale Solar in Sudan: Case Study of AL-Fashir 5 MW Plant”. <strong>2023</strong>. Available <a href="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Utility-Scale-Solar-in-Sudan.pdf">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Author of Policy Memo: “Desalination: a future energy demand driver”. Energy for Growth Hub. December <strong>2022</strong>. Washington D.C. Available <a href="https://www.energyforgrowth.org/memo/desalination-a-future-energy-demand-driver/">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Author of Policy Memo: “Clean water from clean energy: Energy for Growth Hub. December <strong>2022</strong>. Washington D.C. Available <a href="https://www.energyforgrowth.org/memo/clean-water-from-clean-energy/">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Op-ed: “Innovation as a driver for Africa’s energy transition”. June <strong>2022</strong>. RES4Africa Foundation. Available <a href="https://www.res4africa.org/news-events/innovation-as-a-driver-for-africas-energy-transition">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Lead country contributor (Sudan) in the Annual Solar Outlook Report (<strong>2022</strong>) published by the Middle East Solar Industries Association - the largest solar industry association in the MENA region. Available <a href="https://www.mesia.com/information-center/research-papers-reports/">here</a&gt;.</li><li>Country contributor for Sudan and South Sudan in the Annual Outlook Report (<strong>2023</strong>) published by the Africa Solar Industries Association (AFSIA).</li><li>Designed and developed the "Guide to Solar Energy in Sudan", <strong>2022</strong>, including the first-ever directory of solar companies in Sudan. Available</li><li>Co-authored a report on "Challenges & Opportunities in Training in the Sudan Solar Energy Market". <strong>2021</strong>. Available <a href="https://cleanenergy4africa.org/challenges-opportunities-in-training-in-the-sudan-solar-energy-market/">here</a&gt;.</li></ul><p><strong><br />Peer-reviewed scientific papers</strong></p><ul><li>Alhaj, M., Tahir, F., Al-Ghamdi, S.G., (<strong>2022</strong>). Life-cycle environmental assessment of solar-driven Multi-Effect Desalination (MED) plant. Desalination 524, 1154-51. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011916421005221">Available here.</a></li><li>Dafaalla, A., Saeed, M.K., Badri, S., Alhaj, M., (<strong>2021</strong>). Sustainable development and the role of African scientific research centres. African J. Eng. Technol. 1. <a href="https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.47959/AJET.2021.1.1.1">Available here.</a></li><li>Alhaj, M., Al-Ghamdi, S.G., (<strong>2019</strong>). Why is powering thermal desalination with concentrated solar power expensive? assessing economic feasibility and market commercialization barriers. Sol. Energy 189, 480–490. <a href="https://cleanenergy4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/why-is-powering-thermal-desalination-with-concentrated-solar-power.pdf">Link here</a>.</li><li>Alhaj, M., Al-Ghamdi, S.G., (<strong>2019</strong>). Integrating concentrated solar power with seawater desalination technologies: a multi-regional environmental assessment. Environ. Res. Lett. 14, 074014. <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab1d74#artAbst">Link here</a>.</li><li>Alhaj M, Mabrouk A, Al-Ghamdi SG. (<strong>2018</strong>). Energy efficient multi-effect distillation powered by a solar linear Fresnel collector. Energy Convers. Manage 2018;171:576–86. <a href="https://cleanenergy4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/dec24-1308b-energy-efficient-multi-effect-distillation-powered-by-a-solar-linear-fresnel-collector.pdf">Link here</a>.</li><li>Alhaj M, Hassan A, Darwish M, Al-Ghamdi SG. (<strong>2017</strong>). A techno-economic review of solar-driven multi-effect distillation. Desal Wat Treat 2017;90:86–98. <a href="https://cleanenergy4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cceef-ea735-a-techno-economic-review-of-solar-driven-med.pdf">Available here.</a></li><li>Alhaj M, Mohammed S, Darwish M, Hassan A, Al-Ghamdi SG. (<strong>2017</strong>). A review of Qatar’s water resources, consumption and virtual water trade. Desal Wat Treat 2017;70:70–85. <a href="https://cleanenergy4africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/42486-ba3a7-a-review-of-qatar-water-resources-consumption-and-virtual-water-trade.pdf">Available here.</a></li></ul>

Dominique Savio Barahira

Manager (Energy & Climate)

Dominique Savio Barahira

Manager (Energy & Climate)
<img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Dominique-300x300.jpg&quot; alt="" width="300" height="300" /> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-savio-barahira/"&gt; Connect on LinkedIn </a> <a href="mailto:dominique@terraenergi.co"> Email </a> <h2>Dominique Savio Barahira</h2> Manager (Energy & Climate) <p style="text-align: justify; margin: 10.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm;">Dominique is a seasoned professional with an extensive background in Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy Sources and Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) including clean cooking solutions and E-mobility, marked by a formidable history of adept project management and coordination. His professional journey, spans a diverse array of impactful projects, vividly illustrating his deep-rooted expertise and unwavering dedication to sustainable energy solutions. Dominique has played a pivotal role in collaborating with various organizations nationally and internationally, including but not limited to European Union, GIZ-Rwanda, Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA), World Bank, AfDB, Rwanda Development Bank, AFUR, and Energy Development Corporation Ltd, working through contracted consulting firms. In these collaborations, he spearheaded projects focused on conducting comprehensive feasibility studies for renewable energy sources and implementing energy efficiency initiatives across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors and mini-grids tariff setting . His multifaceted experience is a testament to his unwavering commitment to driving advancements in energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions and access to electricity in SSA. Dominique's proven leadership acumen, adept project management skills, and significant contributions to cutting-edge research initiatives notably EU-Horizon 2020 projects E.g.: LEAP-RE (Long-Term joint European Union-Africa Union Research and Innovation Partnership on Renewable Energy) firmly position him as an invaluable asset in the relentless pursuit of sustainable energy development. He is an advocate of SDG7.He has published a scientific paper as the main author on: Suitability of Crop Residues as Feedstock for Biofuel Production in South Africa: A Sustainable Win-Win Scenario, which is available at: <a style="color: #808080;" href="https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess20288">https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess20288</a><u&gt;. </u>He holds a MSc. in Energy Engineering from the Pan African University (PAUWES-Algeria) and a BSc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rwanda.</p>

Osman Shamet

Research Analyst

Osman Shamet

Research Analyst
<p><img src="https://terraenergi.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Osman-300x300.jpeg&quot; alt="" width="300" height="300" /></p> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/osman-shamet/"&gt; Connect on LinkedIn </a> <a href="mailto:osman@terraenergi.co"> Email </a> <h2>Osman Shamet</h2> <p>Research Analyst</p> <p>Osman Shamet is a passionate and dedicated Mechanical Engineer and Researcher specializing in desalination, renewable energy, and sustainable mechanical engineering solutions. With a strong foundation in data analysis and research, he excels in extracting actionable insights to drive pioneering advancements in sustainability.<br /><br />Osman currently serves as a Research Analyst at Terra Energy, where he has been actively contributing since June 2024. He has been involved in SUNNY since the proposal-writing stage and continues to support its implementation, along with other company projects. His work aligns with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), focusing on expanding access to sustainable and innovative energy solutions.<br /><br />Academically, Osman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Khartoum and a Master’s degree from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. His research contributions in desalination have been published in leading scientific journals, with his work accessible via <a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2972-7425&quot; target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer">https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2972-7425</a&gt;.<br /><br />Driven by a commitment to addressing global challenges, Osman is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of sustainable technology through innovative research and engineering excellence.</p>

Founder’s Message

Dear Partners,

I am thrilled to connect with you and share our unwavering commitment to transforming Africa’s energy and climate landscape through tailored advisory that delivers transformative impacts. At Terra Energy, we stand firm in our mission to bring an end to energy poverty across the continent, accelerate climate resilience, and empower youth to lead this transformation.

At Terra Energy, we believe Africa’s vast potential must be met with bold action. Our commitment extends beyond conventional consultancy – we are dedicated to addressing the energy poverty and climate vulnerability that threatens our beloved continent. Through rigorous analyses, strategic initiatives, and a collaborative approach we aim to support governments, development agencies, and the private sector in executing tailored strategies that drive a transformative impact.

Empowering the youth is not just a slogan for us; it’s a guiding principle. At Terra Energy, we believe in harnessing the dynamism and passion of the youth to drive change. Through our projects and programs, and the Clean Energy 4 Africa platform, we provide opportunities for young minds to actively participate in Africa’s sustainable development journey.

Our commitment to our clients goes beyond the transactional – we are steadfast in building long-term partnerships. Your success is our success, and we are here to support you in every step of your sustainable energy endeavors. Together, let’s create a lasting impact and contribute to the prosperity of Africa.

Thank you for being a part of the Terra Energy community. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together.

Warm regards,

Dr. Mohamed Alhaj, Founder & Managing Director

 

We Bring in Unparalleled Expertise and a Robust Understanding of the Africa Energy & Climate Market

We leverage our deep understanding of regional dynamics, policy, strategy, business landscape, regulatory environments, and cutting-edge technologies to craft innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges of energy and climate in Africa. Our commitment to staying ahead of industry trends ensures that our clients benefit from the latest insights and opportunities, positioning them for success in the rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Client Centric Approach

Multidisciplinary Expertise

Exceptional Results

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