RES4Africa Foundation continues its Empower Transition – Insights from Our Members campaign, highlighting the expertise, perspectives and concrete contributions of its member organisations to Africa’s energy transition.

In this third episode, CESI is featured through an interview with Gianluca Marini, Executive Vice President of the Consulting Division, sharing insights on the key enablers needed to scale electrification across the continent, from infrastructure and policy to skills and system integration.

Below is the interview.

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your organization?

My name is Gianluca Marini, Executive Vice President of Consulting Division at CESI, a leading Italian
engineering and consulting firm active in the energy sector for 70 years now. I hold an Electrical
Engineering degree from the University of Trieste and an MBA from SDA Bocconi, and some of my past
experiences include Accenture and Enel. I am also member of the Executive Committee of RES4Africa
Foundation.

CESI SpA is an Italian engineering and consulting firm for energy systems, offering testing, consulting and
advisory services worldwide to support grid planning, renewables integration and energy transition for
utilities, system operators and policymakers.

From your perspective, what are the key enablers needed to scale up electrification in Africa?

I see Africa’s electrification not just as a technical challenge, but as a unique opportunity to drive
sustainable development, resilience, and inclusive growth.

Expanding reliable and affordable electricity requires innovation, investment, and strong partnerships.
Robust infrastructure—including renewable generation, grid modernization, energy storage, and
decentralized mini-grids—is critical, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Clearly, consistent
policies attract private investment, enable public-private partnerships, and facilitate financing, while risk
mitigation and blended finance unlock the scale needed for transformative projects. Capacity-building
strengthens local expertise, fosters community ownership, and ensures long-term sustainability. Leveraging
digital tools, smart business models, and innovative technologies helps optimize efficiency and economic
viability. Regional cooperation—through cross-border power trade, harmonized standards, and knowledge
sharing—accelerates deployment, reduces costs, and enhances resilience.

Africa’s electrification demands an integrated approach that combines technology, finance, policy, and
human capital to establish lasting foundations for inclusive, green growth, empowering communities while
unlocking the continent’s renewable energy potential.

As a RES4Africa member, what initiatives or activities are you currently contributing to?
As Executive Vice President at CESI and an active member of RES4Africa, I am deeply committed to
advancing sustainable energy solutions across Africa.

I leverage CESI’s expertise in grid integration, power system studies, and innovative engineering solutions
to support public and private stakeholders in deploying renewable energy projects that are technically
robust, economically viable, and socially impactful.

Through strategic advisory, policy dialogue, capacity-building, and project facilitation, I engage with
governments, utilities, and international investors to identify scalable opportunities in solar, wind, and
hybrid systems. By promoting best practices in energy planning, grid stability, and project execution, I aim
to ensure that renewable deployment meets immediate electricity demand while strengthening long-term
energy security and resilience.

I also contribute to knowledge-sharing platforms and technical workshops that empower local engineers
and decision-makers, reinforcing Africa’s ability to independently develop sustainable energy
infrastructure.

Collaborating closely with fellow RES4Africa members, I advocate for integrated approaches combining
innovation, finance, and regulation to unlock the continent’s renewable potential, supporting its energy
transition and socio-economic growth.