Chief executive officer of Sustainable Energy for All and the special representative of the UN secretary general for Sustainable Energy for All Damilola Ogunbiyi has been named in the 2025 Forbes Sustainability Leaders list.
The list, released on Thursday, recognises 50 global leaders working to combat the climate crisis.
Now in its second year, the Forbes Sustainability Leaders list honours people setting the pace for a just, sustainable economy and defining what climate leadership looks like today.
Ogunbiyi was recognised for her efforts to advance an equitable energy transition that benefits underprivileged communities in the Global South.
Her leadership in championing the UN-led Energy Compacts as well as the World Bank and African Development Bank’s Mission 300, an initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, was also acknowledged.
Reacting to the recognition, Ogunbiyi said, “This recognition is a reflection not only of my work, but also of the incredible partners, colleagues, and communities who share the vision of building a more sustainable future, and accelerating a just and equitable energy transition.”
The recognition adds to several awards Ogunbiyi has received in the last three years.
In September 2024, she was named in the TIME100 Climate list as one of the 20 titans in climate.
That same month, she received the First-Class Order of Zayed II from the UAE President for her contribution to COP28 and the Global Female Leadership Impact Award.
In March 2024, she was recognised in Reuters’ Trailblazing Women in Climate and Trailblazing Women in Energy lists.
In 2023, she received the Energy Institute President’s Award.
Ogunbiyi has served as CEO of Sustainable Energy for All and UN special representative to the secretary general since January 2020.
Under her leadership, SEforALL has supported more than 100 countries and secured commitments of over $1.6 trillion in energy finance.
Hosted by UNOPS, SEforALL works globally to accelerate energy transition in emerging and developing countries, partnering with governments and organisations to end energy poverty, double energy efficiency, expand renewable energy and combat climate change.
