New hire Q&A: Meet Kinyanjui Waweru

A writer for renewable energy at Continent Rising

Q: What made you interested in sustainability, and was there a specific moment that sparked your passion?

A: It all started with a desperate hunt for a fresh idea in my second year at the University of Nairobi. Everyone was recycling the same old topics (pun intended), and I wanted something that stood out. Enter sustainability. At the time, I was vaguely familiar with things like recycling and composting, but the idea of sustainability as a whole felt like a giant, mysterious concept. Cue my deep dive into research, which spiralled into a full-blown obsession. Before I knew it, I was knee-deep in articles, discovering eco-brands, and stumbling upon the coolest term ever, ecopreneurship. Who knew a last-minute project would turn into a lifelong passion?

Q: If you could work on any green project anywhere in the world, what would it be and why?

A: Picture this: Me, in my coolest sunglasses, headed straight for Namibia. Why? Two words: GREEN HYDROGEN. Namibia is sitting on a goldmine of renewable energy potential, think world-class solar and wind resources. And guess what? The world is already paying attention, with massive investments like the $10 billion Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Project rolling in. If Namibia plays its cards right, it could soon be the global leader in green hydrogen. And if I play mine right, I’ll be right there making history with it.

Q: What’s one fun fact about sustainability that surprised you when you first learned it? 

A: Sustainability is everywhere. It’s like that one friend who somehow knows everyone at the party. The more I dug into it, the more I realized its influence—fashion, food, tech, business. And then I found out about sustainable AI. Yep, artificial intelligence needs water and lots of it. Your three-second ChatGPT prompt? It’s probably sipping on more water than you think. The realization that even cutting-edge tech needs to be eco-conscious was mind-blowing.

Oh, and just so we’re clear: sustainable AI is not the same as AI for sustainability. The latter is AI working to solve environmental issues, while the former is about making AI itself more eco-friendly.

Q: If sustainability were a person or symbol, what do you think it would be and why? 

A: Sustainability is basically Mother Nature herself. She’s out here showing us how it’s done, birds building nests from collected twigs, trees absorbing CO2 and giving us oxygen in return, worms turning our food scraps into gold (a.k.a. nutrient-rich soil). Nature is the OG sustainability expert, and we humans? We’re just trying to keep up. But if we take the right cues, we can do our part to make this planet thrive.

Q: What’s one small habit you’ve adopted in your daily life to be more sustainable?

A: I never buy new clothes. Ever. My wardrobe is a mix of thrifted treasures, hand-me-downs, and “borrowed” pieces from my dad’s closet (sorry, Dad, they look better on me). When I was working on a sustainable fashion project at university, I came across the staggering amount of textile waste dumped in Nairobi’s Dandora landfill. It was enough to make anyone rethink their shopping habits. Fast fashion is a major sustainability villain, and I wish more people realized just how much of a difference conscious clothing choices can make.

Q: As a young professional and part of Gen Z, what advice would you give to other young professionals starting out in this field? 

A: First off, if you’re diving into sustainability, be ready to fail, and fail fast. The sooner you learn, the quicker you innovate. But more importantly, find your people. Community is everything. Gen Z is hyper-aware, and digital spaces are buzzing with conversations about climate change, green jobs, and eco-innovation. Tapping into this collective energy is key to pushing sustainable development forward, especially in Africa. So get online, get involved, and get ready to make waves!

🔎 Silent Signals – Green Sector Growth & Job Opportunities

• 🇪🇺 EU’s €4.7B Investment in South Africa will fuel renewable energy projects, creating solar, wind, and infrastructure development jobs.

• 🚗 South Africa’s $54M Boost for EV & Battery Production means more opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain roles.

• ⚡ AfDB & Germany’s Energy Partnership aims to expand energy access, opening doors for entrepreneurs, clean tech specialists, and green finance professionals.