Theme: The Future of Energy - Innovation & Sustainability

A Gathering for Curious Minds at Westgate Mall Cinema

Guest Moderator: TED Talk Speaker Tombo Banda

Idea: This event is a forum to spark creative engagement between like-minded people. A place where we can challenge our fundamental beliefs and explore new ways of thinking.

How: We screen two short TED Talk videos by the world’s most inspired thinkers and greatest visionaries from the renowned TED conferences, followed by a casual exploratory discussion.

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Westgate Cinema, Westgate Mall Nairobi, 2nd Floor, up the escalator, meet in the cinema lobby
For updates: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IdXPxerzeFY4vlCeYu0yUk

We’ve got new experiences for you... in addition to screening awe-inspiring TED Talks followed by a discussion, we have:
- Your personal “Inspire / Change" card to give you a daily reminder of the changes you get inspired to make at the event
- The “Curiosity Wall” where you can post your thoughts about the theme of the day as you sip a coffee and mingle with other Curious Minds before the event starts
- A live stream of the discussion to the big screen so people can see who’s talking - it's a trippy experience
- Curious Minds Coffee Table Chat - a 40-minute coffee-table chat with 8 people, moderated by one of our team

We’ll be experimenting with new things at every event… so stay tuned

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Schedule for the event:
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9:30am (optional): Pre-event Curious Minds Connections - grab a coffee, mingle, & post your thoughts on the "Curiosity Wall"

10:00am: Pick up your "Inspire / Change" card, check out the "Curiosity Wall" and make your way into the cinema
10:30am sharp: Screening of TED Talk videos begins
11:15am: Discussion & exploration time
12:00pm: Event ends

12:15 (optional, registration required):
(a) Post-event Coffee Table Chat - a 40-minute coffee-table chat with 8 people, moderated by one of our team

* By registering for this event I agree for my email to be shared with TED for them to request my feedback. Event pictures may be posted online.

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The future of energy lies at the intersection of innovation and sustainability, as the world faces an urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable sources. With climate change accelerating and global energy demands rising, the quest for sustainable solutions has never been more pressing. Innovations in solar, wind, and battery storage technologies are paving the way for a low-carbon energy future, offering more efficient and cost-effective alternatives to traditional power generation. Additionally, advancements in energy efficiency, smart grids, and decentralized energy systems are transforming how we produce, store, and consume power.

At the same time, the integration of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and digital technologies promises to optimize energy management, improve grid resilience, and drive further reductions in carbon emissions. The future will also see an increasing emphasis on circular economies, where the life cycles of energy systems are designed with reuse and minimal environmental impact in mind.

This dynamic shift towards a sustainable energy landscape not only addresses environmental challenges but also opens up new economic opportunities, creating green jobs and fostering global collaboration. The convergence of technology, policy, and innovation will define the next era of energy, driving progress toward a cleaner, more resilient planet for future generations.

Westgate Mall Cinema
18 Mwanzi Road, Westlands
Second Floor, then up the escalator
Nairobi, Nairobi, 00100
Kenya

Tombo Banda

Energy Access Innovator | CrossBoundary MD | Pan-Africanist & Salsa Enthusiast | TED Speaker on Minigrids

Tombo Banda is the CEO of CrossBoundary’s Nairobi office, where she works to improve energy access for the more than 500 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa who don’t have electricity. She leads CrossBoundary’s Mini-Grid Innovation Lab and holds an MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge and an MEng in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London