Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Sylvia Manjeri Aarakit holds a PhD in Energy Economics and Governance from Makerere University, complementing her academic foundation with a Master of Business Administration in Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation, and a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management. She has also earned multiple international certifications, including advanced training in energy policy analysis from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, solar PV systems from Women in Renewable Energy and Remote Energy, and advanced energy modeling from the China University of Geosciences. Additionally, she has pursued certifications in entrepreneurship education from Southern University in the United States, grants writing, public speaking, and business management. This diverse academic and professional training reflects her strong interdisciplinary background, combining economics, policy, energy systems, and entrepreneurship for sustainable development.

Experience

Dr. Aarakit has over 18 years of professional experience in academia, research, consultancy, and policy advisory roles. She serves as a Senior Lecturer at Makerere University Business School, where she has supervised thousands of students, developed curricula, and spearheaded grant-funded projects. Beyond academia, she has worked extensively as a consultant with organizations including UN-Habitat, UNDP, GIZ, and the Government of Uganda, contributing to national and regional policies on energy, governance, and socio-economic development. She has led multi-country initiatives focusing on clean energy transitions, business innovation, climate resilience, and youth and women empowerment. Her professional expertise also extends to training and capacity building, where she has facilitated high-level programs on energy negotiations, public-private partnerships, and clean energy policies for senior officials and stakeholders across East Africa.

Research Interest

Dr. Aarakit’s research interests lie at the intersection of energy economics, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, with a particular focus on clean energy transitions, climate resilience, and inclusive growth. She is deeply engaged in exploring scalable business models for renewable energy adoption, especially those empowering women and youth. Her work also integrates gender and socio-ecological dimensions, emphasizing innovation, governance, and systems thinking to design equitable and sustainable solutions. She has contributed to advancing knowledge in energy poverty reduction, renewable energy policy, financial inclusion, and productive uses of electricity. Her current projects investigate the optimization and scaling of women- and youth-led clean energy enterprises across Africa. By combining rigorous research with policy engagement, she aims to influence evidence-based decision-making that supports sustainable economic transformation and social equity.

Awards and Honors

Throughout her career, Dr. Aarakit has been recognized for her impactful research and leadership in sustainable energy and entrepreneurship. She has secured multiple competitive international research grants, including major projects funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, which focus on empowering women and youth in the clean energy sector. Her contributions have shaped national strategies on energy access, entrepreneurship education, and climate innovation. As a consultant and trainer, she has been entrusted with high-level programs for ministries, international agencies, and regional organizations, reflecting the respect she commands in her field. Her role as an examiner and supervisor of doctoral and master’s research further highlights her academic standing and recognition as a thought leader, mentor, and capacity builder within the African and global academic community.

Research Skill

Dr. Aarakit possesses strong interdisciplinary research skills, combining expertise in energy economics, entrepreneurship, gender studies, and organizational management. She is proficient in advanced statistical and econometric tools, including SPSS, STATA, R, E-Views, Python, and Nvivo, enabling her to conduct both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Her expertise in policy analysis and systems thinking allows her to address complex socio-economic and environmental challenges from multiple dimensions. She has proven ability in grant writing, project design, monitoring, and evaluation, successfully managing large-scale international collaborations. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches, she integrates community perspectives into policy-oriented research. Her academic writing and publication record in high-impact journals demonstrates strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills, making her an accomplished researcher with the ability to bridge knowledge creation, practice, and policy impact.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Why is there low grid electricity access in rural Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda National Household Survey
Authors: Murungi, Herbert; Kiiza, Nelson; Nkurunziza, Gideon; Ssennono, Vincent F.; Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri
Year: 2025
Citation: Energy Policy, 203:114652

Title: Artificial intelligence in higher education institutions: review of innovations, opportunities and challenges
Authors: Ocen, Samuel; Elasu, Joseph; Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri; Olupot, C.
Year: 2025
Citation: Frontiers in Education, 10:1530247

Title: Conceptualization and antecedents of productive use of electricity: A systematic literature review
Authors: Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Buyinza, Faisal; Wasswa, Francis; Adaramola, Muyiwa S.
Year: 2024
Citation: Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 20:100747

Title: Do all forms of public attitudes matter for behavioral intentions to adopt solar energy technologies (SET)?
Authors: Muwanga, R.; Ssekakubo, J.; Nalweyiso, G.; Aarakit, S.; Kusasira, S.
Year: 2024
Citation: Technological Sustainability, 3(1):96–112

Title: Entrepreneurial passion and entrepreneurial farming among youth Agripreneurs in Uganda
Authors: Tindiwensi, C. K.; Kabahinda, E.; Aikiriza, F.; Aarakit, S.
Year: 2023
Citation: SN Business & Economics, 3(7):123

Title: Climatic shocks and multidimensional energy poverty in Ugandan households: does women empowerment play a moderating role?
Authors: Ssennono, Vincent F.; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Buyinza, Faisal; Wasswa, Francis; Adaramola, Muyiwa S.; Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri
Year: 2023
Citation: International Journal of Sustainable Energy, 42(1):103–127

Title: The role of financial inclusion in adoption of solar photovoltaic systems: A case of Uganda
Authors: Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Wasswa, Francis; Adaramola, Muyiwa S.; Ssennono, Vincent F.
Year: 2022
Citation: Renewable Energy, 198:984–998

Title: Adoption of solar photovoltaic systems in households: Evidence from Uganda
Authors: Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Wasswa, Francis; Adaramola, Muyiwa S.; Ssennono, Vincent F.
Year: 2021
Citation: Journal of Cleaner Production, 329:129619

Title: Estimating market potential for solar photovoltaic systems in Uganda
Authors: Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri; Ssennono, Vincent F.; Muyiwa S. Adaramola
Year: 2021
Citation: Frontiers in Energy Research, 9:36

Title: Energy poverty in Uganda: Evidence from a multidimensional approach
Authors: Ssennono, Vincent Fred; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Buyinza, Faisal; Wasswa, Francis; Aarakit, Sylvia Manjeri; Mukiza, Chris N.
Year: 2021
Citation: Energy Economics, 101:105445

Title: Firm capabilities, entrepreneurial competency and performance of Ugandan SMEs
Authors: Abaho, Ernest; Aarakit, Sylvia; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Kisubi, Moses K.
Year: 2016
Citation: Business Management Review, pp. 105–125

Title: Expatriate capabilities, knowledge transfer and competitive advantage of the foreign direct investments in Uganda’s service sector
Authors: Musazi, Y.; Aarakit, Sylvia; Mwesigwa, R.
Year: 2016
Citation: International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 4(2)

Conclusion

Dr. Sylvia Manjeri Aarakit stands out as a highly accomplished academic and researcher whose work combines rigorous scholarship with real-world impact. With strong educational qualifications, extensive professional experience, and a proven track record in leading international research projects, she has significantly contributed to the fields of energy economics, entrepreneurship, gender equity, and sustainable development. Her leadership in policy-oriented research and consultancy has influenced national strategies and empowered communities across Africa. Through her publications, professional memberships, and mentorship of emerging scholars, she continues to advance academic excellence while fostering inclusive, sustainable innovation. Dr. Aarakit’s ability to integrate research, practice, and policy makes her a valuable contributor to global sustainability efforts and positions her as a thought leader with immense future potential in shaping energy and development discourse.