Banjul: The African media organisation Financial Afrik, during the current edition of its annual conference hosted by the Gambian capital Banjul, selected Ali Alshimmari, Managing Director and CEO of the UAE-based company Global South Utilities, as a pioneer of Arab-African cooperation. This recognition includes him in a list of 100 influential African figures in the fields of economy, investment, and development, in acknowledgment of his role in supporting sustainable energy projects and promoting long-term investment across the African continent.
According to Emirates News Agency, President Adama Barrow of The Gambia received Alshimmari and expressed his appreciation for the UAE's support and investments in the continent. This recognition marks the second of its kind that Alshimmari has received within a few months. In September, he was awarded the Officer of the National Order of Chad by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss D©by Itno, making him the first foreign company CEO to receive this distinction from the Chadian president. The award recognised Alshimmari's commitment to delivering the Noor Chad Solar Power Plant in record time.
Alshimmari has emerged as one of the UAE's prominent young executives in the renewable energy sector. He previously held senior positions at Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdar, and worked on cross-border renewable energy projects, before assuming leadership of Global South Utilities, a subsidiary of Resources Investment Group in Abu Dhabi.
Following the award ceremony, Alshimmari stated that in Africa, energy is not merely a luxury or technical issue. He emphasized that when electricity reaches an African village, it is not just about lighting but signifies life in motion, allowing schools to operate, clinics to remain open, and the economy to progress.
Alshimmari recently commented during the Global South Utilities Forum, part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, that sustainability in the Global South is not just a future vision but a present necessity. He added that while much of the world debates sustainability in the Global South, the UAE is actively building it.
The company is currently executing several renewable energy projects in various African countries, including Madagascar, the Central African Republic, the Comoros Islands, and Chad. These projects contribute to improving local production capacity and supporting economic stability.
Global South Utilities aims to achieve a production capacity of 750 megawatts by 2027, having already financed projects with a total capacity of nearly 400 megawatts, including those implemented within the African continent.