One of the participants of the Inclusive Green Economy Program relates that the program gave her a completely new approach to policymaking, which permeates her daily work as well as her discussions with her colleagues.
Jane Jerop Atuta is an IGE alumna and an economist at the State Department for Economic Planning in Kenya, currently serving in the International Frameworks Coordination Division. Her role involves coordinating the implementation of key international development frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa’s Agenda 2063, the East African Community (EAC) Vision 2050, and various bilateral economic partnerships.
When did you join the IGE program and why?
“I joined the IGE program in June 2023 and completed it in June 2024,” Jane Jerop Atuta shared.
She first learned about the program through senior colleagues in earlier cohorts and was inspired after attending their consultative forums.
“Those sessions were both insightful and motivating,” she said.
When the next round of nominations opened, she was happy to be recommended.
“Having a master’s degree, which was one of the requirements, worked in my favor,” she said.
What was the most important thing you learned during the IGE program?
She emphasized that the most significant takeaway from the program was a paradigm shift in how she approaches policymaking.
“We’ve often developed well-intentioned policies, but the IGE program emphasized the importance of social acceptance—listening to the community before drafting policies,” she explained.
She cited this shift as instrumental in her day-to-day work, influencing how she approaches stakeholder engagement and policy design within the State Department.
Have you applied what you learned in your work?
“Absolutely. The IGE impact is a daily lived experience. It's not just something you learn and forget, it becomes part of your system. For example, when reviewing a policy, the first question now is ‘Have stakeholders been consulted?’” she said.
She added that when a new energy policy is drafted, like on gas tax exemptions, she can now evaluate its feasibility using IGE insights, compare it to policies in other countries that succeeded or failed, and share evidence-based perspectives during government discussions.
Have you shared your IGE knowledge with colleagues?
“Yes, both formally and informally”, she said.
Formally, she integrates Inclusive Green Economy themes into her presentations at stakeholder forums. Informally, she shares knowledge during office discussions and while reviewing documents with colleagues.
“It’s a continuous process of knowledge sharing.”
What was the biggest benefit of the program?
“Networking without question.”
The program connected her with experts and peers across East Africa.
“If I need insights from Uganda or Rwanda, I know exactly who to call. That kind of access is irreplaceable. The technical capacity gained was another huge benefit.
What did you learn from your Transformative Initiative?
Atuta’s cohort focused on biomass energy dependency, an issue still affecting 68% of Kenyan households despite progressive policies.
“We found, among others, that despite subsidies and policies, cultural preferences and lack of access remain huge barriers,” she said.
The team’s findings and policy recommendations were later shared with the Ministry of Energy and other key stakeholders, helping to shape more inclusive solutions. For example, transitioning to clean cooking requires the adoption of a multi-stakeholder approach.
What advice would you give to future IGE fellows?
For future IGE fellows, Atuta urged full engagement with the experience.
“Use the network. Learn as much as you can. And most importantly, think in terms of solutions, what can be done in the short, medium, and long term,” she advised.
In addition, she recognized that the program offers long-term benefits as participants gain invaluable relationships and knowledge, which can serve as open doors to other opportunities.
Lastly, do you have any suggestions to improve the IGE program?
Jane Jerop Atuta suggested creating a more structured way for alumni to stay connected, such as holding annual meetups to share updates, compare ideas, and keep the network active.
“Each cohort focuses on a different sector, like transport, agriculture, or energy. Just think how much we could learn from each other if we had regular opportunities to connect and share our experiences,” she said.
By : Jane Maina