CEO MONTHLY / Female CEO of the Year Awards 2023 10 Most Innovative LPG Energy Solutions CEO 2023 (East Africa): Amanda M Donahue Kenya based Amanda M. Donahue is the group CEO of Africa Gas & Oil (AGOL), an energy services company that specialises in import and distribution of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) for industrial, commercial, and home users. AGOL was established ten years ago to address the challenges within the energy sector across Kenya, and to promote the Governmental objective to encourage clean energy through LPG, curb deforestation, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The crossover of these two areas of interest is a force of major positivity for East Africa. ne of the challenges in Kenya’s energy market concerns lack of access to clean cooking fuels. In order to combat this, AGOL embarked upon constructing a state-ofthe-art terminal enabling the importation and distribution of LPG to the tune of some 1,400,000MTs a year, via the Port of Mombasa. The terminal comprises facilities intended to receive, store, and redeliver LPG in bulk, both for local use and for export to neighbouring countries and islands located in the Indian Ocean. This terminal has allowed for a much more reliable, steady supply of LPG to consumers, and at a far more economical rate. Bolstering existing infrastructure, and improving health and safety, has meant that AGOL has brought a welcome level of stability to the LPG industry. This has been supported by its downstream business partner, PROTO Energy, a manufacturer of cylinders that enables LPG cooking fuel to be supplied to households across Kenya. In doing so, PROTO has also created business opportunities for thousands of Kenyans. This includes delivery drivers, LPG distributors, cylinder manufacturers, plant staff, retailers, and many more. It has created the only shipto-home, self-contained ecosystem for its LPG energy concerns. Group CEO Amanda M Donohue holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management. She has contributed many valuable insights to the industry with her robust skill set, including leadership, product marketing, direct marketing, marketing management, and team building. Under her leadership the company has assumed a market leading position as the downstream distribution arm of LPG within Kenya. This has meant an aspirational and much needed product has become widely available. Furthermore, Proto Energy has worked closely alongside regulators to implement the strictest of safety protocols for its cylinders, and throughout all operational procedures. This has gone a long way towards fostering confidence in the LPG market as a safe and reliable source of energy. For Amanda, what began as a break from the corporate world of the US, some 15 years ago, transpired into a Kenyan journey of varied adventures. Early on her Kenyan odyssey she found herself running a chicken farm. True to her tenacious character, however, it wasn’t long before she had grown the business from 250 to 6,000 chickens. With this success under her belt, and running efficiently, she handed the farm over to a new owner and turned her own attention to a novel venture. Having noticed a desperate need for help in 3 slum areas of Nairobi, she created a maternal health programme that educated and supported 35,000 Kenyan women. Amanda realised many Kenyans lacked access to technology and digital services, and believed this was an area she could support by connecting with the private sector and introducing more accessible services. Having spent so much time in the less economically fortuitous regions, she was able to spot the gap in the market and help to introduce technology that bridged it. Following on from this, she was led towards work in fintech, a position that enabled her to broker collaborations with TelCom, banks, and local governments across 34 African countries. This was a rewarding experience for Amanda, but her attention had already been captured by a new company, PROGAS. To clarify, PROGAS is the product that is produced and sold by PROTO Energy. It was launched in 2017, and has since become a household name in Kenya, easily recognisable by its vibrant pink cylinders What attracted Amanda to the company was its ability to uncover solutions for a pressing issue, and make LPG available to awide market, all while maintaining affordability. Amanda was impressed by the company’s innovation, and knew she wanted to join in any capacity. As it was, becoming the CEO allowed her to immerse herself by jumping straight in, taking on new challenges, and forging new pathways. Since joining three years ago, her meticulous attention to detail has boosted the business to such an extent that she has become known as the ‘Queen of LPG’. Utilising her vast experience in fintech, and more, Amanda has always made a concerted effort to level the playing field for women, Oct23685 O
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