Salma Okonkwo is building West Africa’s largest solar farm to provide sustainable electricity to underserved communities in northern Ghana.
Salma Okonkwo is a leading Ghanaian energy entrepreneur. She founded UBI Group and Blue Power Energy, two key players in Ghana’s energy sector with distinct but complementary focuses. She is one of Ghana’s most influential energy entrepreneurs, known for her bold transition from the oil and gas sector into renewable energy.
From Accra to the energy frontlines
Born into a large family of 14 children in Accra, Salma Okonkwo grew up watching her parents juggle work, family, and survival. After relocating to the United States to pursue a university education, she graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She returned to Ghana with a clear objective of providing accessible, sustainable energy to underserved communities, particularly in the country’s northern region.
Subsequently, she began her career in 2003 at Sahara Energy Group, an international oil and gas company, where she distinguished herself for her strategic mind and leadership. However, in 2007, Salma decided to venture out and establish her own company, UBI Group.
Building UBI Group
Founded as UBI Petroleum in 2007, UBI Group evolved into an integrated energy solutions provider by 2012. It was the first Indigenous company to support Ghana’s upstream oil industry and became a significant player in the downstream oil and gas sector.
Initially focused on LPG, Salma Okonkwo promptly adapted to Northern Ghana’s limited infrastructure by shifting to diesel and petrol, which were easier to distribute. By 2012, UBI had transformed into a fully integrated energy company, managing procurement, storage, marketing, and distribution.
In 2013, she negotiated a landmark deal, selling 49% of UBI subsidiaries to Puma Energy. This represented a powerful statement for all who observed a Ghanaian woman successfully leading a significant energy negotiation in a male-dominated field.
A shift to renewables
Despite UBI’s success, the Ghanaian businesswoman understood that fossil fuels were not a long-term solution. Rural villages continued to be in darkness, and fuel price volatility presented ongoing challenges.
In 2018, she established Blue Power Energy, a renewable energy company committed to developing large-scale solar projects. Its flagship initiative was a 200 million solar farm, set to be the largest in West Africa, with the aim of electrifying some of Ghana’s poorest and most remote areas.
Through Blue Power, she is addressing energy poverty and positioning Ghana as a regional leader in clean energy by reducing carbon emissions while enhancing access to power.
More than business
Beyond boardrooms and solar grids, the businesswoman’s impact extends into communities. She founded the Mother’s Heart Foundation, a nonprofit focused on maternal health, girls’ education, and women’s empowerment. In 2019, she was named Female Energy Personality of the Year at the Ghana Energy Awards. Today, Salma Okokwo continues to lead both UBI Group and Blue Power Energy to advance Ghana’s energy sector.
