Torgbi Dr. Korkudjaah Tamakloe II, CEO, Jileji Energy International Ltd
In the quiet hours of 1989, a young entrepreneur, Dr. King Kwabla Lumor, returned to Ghana from overseas, stepping into a landscape where the energy sector was a state-controlled monopoly, dominated by the Volta River Authority (VRA). He had ventured into cocoa processing, a journey that would eventually lead him to a startling realization. While his bank credit rate stood at 25%, his monthly energy consumption costs were soaring by 35%. In the harsh light of a manufacturing floor, King realized he wasn’t just working for his customers; he was effectively working for the banks and a struggling, hydro-dependent energy sector characterized by frequent load shedding and exorbitant connection fees.
That was the spark that ignited a lifelong mission. Today, as the CEO of Jileji Energy International Ltd, Dr. Lumor is not just an entrepreneur; he is a scholar, an author of over 20 books, and a visionary architect of Africa’s energy transition.
The Scholar’s Solution to Energy Poverty
Dr. Lumor built his leadership on a bedrock of rigorous academic research and a refusal to accept the ‘energy poverty’ that plagues Sub-Saharan Africa. From specializing in Oil & Gas project management at the University of Liverpool to completing a D.Sc. in Renewable Energy with AIU, he has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between energy access. His AIU journey focused on several research publications in Lambert Academic Publishing on renewable energy sustainability. In light of the challenges in acquiring loans in Ghana, he took the initiative to enhance his knowledge by completing the online Renewable Energy Certification course in climate and renewable energy finance at the Frankfurt School of Economics.
His journey from manufacturing to energy consulting was born out of necessity. Witnessing the rampant disconnections and the ‘undisclosed factors’ that made the sector difficult to penetrate, King chose to arm himself with knowledge. His extensive bibliography includes titles such as Energy Efficiency Strategies for Sustainable Economic Growth and International Climate Change Policies. Beyond the technical, King explores the human cost of consumption under the pen name Kelvin Anthony Stone, authoring works such as The Power of ‘Sorry’ and Eight Secrets of the Subconscious Mind, as well as spiritual explorations such as The Divine Matrix. For King, solving energy poverty requires transforming both infrastructure and the human mindset.
Chieftaincy Title:
In 2021, King was lawfully nominated to chieftaincy status to head one of Chief Nyaho Tamakloe’s Dynasties as the Divisional Chief of Kpordorve in the Ketu South District. In 2022, Torgbi Dr. Korkudjaah Tamakloe II, as he’s now known, was lawfully gazetted as the Chief of Kpordoave.
Jileji Energy: Beyond the Grid
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Tema, Jileji Energy International Limited comes with a clear mandate: to provide innovative energy solutions that state-controlled systems of the past could not. Navigating the complexities of the Ghanaian landscape was no small feat; Dr. Lumor faced a financial system that lacked the vision to support vibrant business ideas, forcing him to look toward foreign partnerships to fuel his dreams.
Through resilience and strategic foresight, Jileji has carved out a unique position in the sector. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services, including thermographic analysis, energy audits for industrial clients, training, certification in energy audits, and renewable energy installations. His new initiatives are as practical as they are ambitious: by introducing solar-powered mobile clinics in partnership with an EU firm. The focus is on bringing healthcare to rural communities that have long been a burden on the government. Furthermore, his vision for renewable expansion includes a Turkish partnership to deploy 200 mini-grids and install 400MW of renewable capacity, alongside a pioneering electric vehicle (EV) program that begins with government agencies to lead the national charge toward cleaner transport. Dr. Lumor is currently partnering with a Canadian-certified energy-efficiency firm to improve energy use in Ghana. His aim for Ghana is to implement energy-efficiency strategies for sustainable economic growth. He’s also considering saving the climate by partnering with an EU company to fight against heavy industry pollution in Ghana.
A Legacy of Inclusive Growth
Dr. Lumor’s leadership style is collaborative and purpose-driven, rooted in integrity and transparency. He understands that for Ghana to reach its goal of 10% renewable energy by 2030, the community must be a partner, not just a consumer. His approach emphasizes community-based financing models, participatory planning, and capacity building to ensure local ownership.
“Understand the local context,” he advises emerging African entrepreneurs. “Build businesses that solve real problems.” He views the politicization of energy as a breach of trust and steers Jileji Energy forward by aligning business goals with Ghana’s sustainable development needs.
Future Horizons
Looking ahead, Torgbi Dr. Korkudjaah Tamakloe II sees his role evolving from entrepreneur to global industry leader, driving the transition to cleaner energy. With Ghana’s energy debt estimated to reach $8.4 billion by 2027, he is a vocal advocate for innovative financing, such as green bonds and public-private partnerships. His vision for Jileji is to remain at the forefront of Africa’s energy revolution—ensuring that the next generation of manufacturers never has to choose between paying the bank or keeping the lights on.
The story of King Kwabla Lumor is a reminder that when you solve a problem for yourself, you might find the key to powering an entire nation.