Adesina’s career is characterized by his ability to navigate and thrive in challenging environments. His experience spans a diverse range of industries and geographies, where he has consistently demonstrated a knack for building and revitalizing early and growth-stage enterprises. This journey began in 2007 with Agrica, an agricultural enterprise in East Africa. Here, Adesina’s strategic insight helped the company navigate the complexities of the agricultural sector, setting the stage for his future endeavors.
His next significant role was with Automatiks, a California-based company specializing in hybrid power solutions. Adesina’s expertise in integrating advanced technologies with sustainable energy systems was instrumental in driving the company’s growth. This experience laid the groundwork for his later work with AST, a leading provider of Power-as-a-Service solutions in India, where he continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in the renewable energy sector.
Adesina’s innovative spirit also extended to the fintech industry. At Pagatech, a Nigerian mobile payments company, he played a crucial role in expanding financial inclusion through mobile technology. His contributions to Pagatech underscored his commitment to leveraging technology to solve some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. 
Further solidifying his reputation as an innovator, Adesina served as Entrepreneur in Residence at Capricorn Investment Group, the investment arm of Jeff Skoll in Palo Alto. This role allowed him to focus on nurturing and scaling businesses that aligned with his vision of creating sustainable and impactful enterprises. His leadership at Capricorn was marked by his ability to identify and support ventures that not only delivered financial returns but also addressed critical social and environmental issues.
Before his tenure at Capricorn, Adesina led business development and corporate strategy for Aquifer, a London-based investment company connected with the family office of Lord Sainsbury and the Gatsby Trust. In this role, he was instrumental in developing and growing Aquifer’s portfolio, providing strategic support to strengthen its businesses across various sectors. His efforts at Aquifer were a testament to his strategic acumen and ability to drive growth in complex environments.
Adesina’s impressive career also includes his work with the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, where he was a founding member of the Innovation for Development & Impact Investing initiatives. His contributions to these initiatives were pivotal in shaping the Foundation’s approach to leveraging innovation and investment for social impact. Adesina’s early career began in the Global Markets division of JPMorgan’s investment bank in New York, where he specialized in the structuring and distribution of financial derivatives. This experience provided him with a solid foundation in financial markets and an understanding of global economic dynamics, which he later applied to his work in impact investing and enterprise development.
Throughout his career, Ademola Adesina has lived and worked across Africa, the USA, and Europe, bringing a global perspective to his work. His impact is evident not only in the companies he has built and led but also in the broader sectors of renewable energy, technology, and finance in which he has made significant contributions. Adesina’s work continues to shape the future of energy and innovation, driving sustainable development across Africa and beyond. His story is one of relentless innovation, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to creating lasting impact in every venture he undertakes.
