Kenya’s Energy Sector

Aleem Tharani: An Advocate Driving Tangible Outcomes in Kenya’s Energy Sector

Aleem Tharani is a trailblazing lawyer whose work in Kenya’s corporate and energy sectors speaks for itself. Tharani started his career in the corporate space but eventually found his passion in the energy sector and has been influencing its development in leaps and bounds.

Business Elites Africa caught up with this legal eagle. Enjoy. You thought studying law was a mistake early on. Why and how did you eventually blend in?

I wouldn’t say it was necessarily a mistake. Still, it wasn’t until I undertook my legal practice course at Nottingham Law School that I started to enjoy implementing the theory of law I studied during my undergraduate degree. I consider myself very fortunate to work in a profession for which I have passion and a burning ambition. My advice to those starting on this journey is to ensure that whilst it is important to be practical about the disciplines we choose to pursue and their ability to allow us to earn and live well, it is also essential to choose a path that activates your intellectual curiosity and will to dedicate your time.

It is inevitable that, at some point, you will have to make compromises to pursue success in your professional career. It will help if you make such compromises concerning an area in which you genuinely.

Did you start your career in energy law and why did you make that choice?

I started my career as more of a general corporate M&A practitioner. It wasn’t until 2010 that I started working in the energy sector, and I ended up there by chance, but it was love at first sight! I enjoy being part of a practice area where there is a tangible outcome for the work that we put in.

It is a very fulfilling feeling to be able to visit a wind farm or solar farm, or use an expressway on which you have advised. These projects have a significant social and developmental impact, and it is a privilege to work on such projects.

Tell us your story of your rise to becoming a Partner at Bowmans, a leading African law firm?

I joined Bowmans as a partner (lateral hire) in 2019. Bowmans is a leading African law firm with a track record of providing specialist legal services for over a century. With eight offices in six African countries — Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, we are differentiated by our independence and the quality of legal services we provide. A law firm owned by Africans for Africa.

You’re one of Kenya’s top energy and infrastructure lawyers at under 40. What are your success ingredients?

Key to everything is working hard and smart. For me, that is the rule, and there are no exceptions. If you aren’t willing to work hard and put in the effort, then the chances are that you will not be very successful in your career.

There is also a little bit of luck involved. Good opportunities need to come your way, and you must make the most of them when they do. Treat people with respect and always behave with integrity; good things will happen for you.

Always remember that the team is always more important than the individual. You are much stronger as a collective. Invest well in building trust and capacity within your team, and success will follow. It is always essential to have good mentors in life, people who can share their wisdom and lessons with you.

There is no substitute for experience and wisdom. Sometimes it helps to have someone to reach out to for guidance and advice. It is also important to be a mentor for people. Pass on your experiences so that others can learn from you, and hopefully, some of what you have learned and passed on will help others in their professional journey.

What other sectors would you say are the most lucrative for legal practice in Africa?

Election petitions always seem to do well from time to time, Jokes aside, new markets and new technologies are being discovered and created all the time, and the focus of these is on the consumer. So, the consumer sector will continue to see strong growth.

Disruptions in the healthcare and education sectors are already happening. Access to affordable healthcare and education is a big issue for our continent. And with the advancement of technology and the paradigm shift that’s taken place over the last couple of years concerning people’s willingness to consider remote learning and working.

I think these are exciting sectors to keep an eye on. If the last 6-12 months have highlighted anything, it is that we need to improve food security as a country and as a continent. We should heed the warning and learn our lessons in this regard, and I think we have. Hopefully, this will result in establishing new and growing existing agribusiness operations.

Have you failed at anything, and how do you handle failure?

It’s okay to fail. It’s not a bad thing. It’s part of the learning process. Not trying at all or not doing your best isn’t acceptable. When you fail, you must analyse; what you could have done better. What could others have done better? Learn the lessons and try again. Interview

People say young achievers often get distracted by accolades and their laurels, do you feel that way sometimes?

It is always excellent for our hard work to be recognised. However, it is pleasant as a by-product. It shouldn’t be the main reason we go to work and do what we do. The motivation has to be involved in something that is greater than oneself, to make a meaningful difference and impact the lives of others through the work we do daily. Don’t get me wrong, success is always welcome, and recognition is a vital part of pushing us to achieve even bigger and better things, but it should not be the driving force.

In your opinion, is the desire to want a lot of money enough to drive you to become successful?

I think the answer to this is the same as what I have said above. The desire should be to be involved in something meaningful, something that matters to you and something for which you have a genuine desire and passion.

Not just working a job for the sake of it or because it’s what everyone else is doing. Choose your own path and leave everything on the field. Don’t short-change yourself or look for shortcuts. Money and success are nice by-products, and if you put effort into whatever it is you choose to do, success, money, and accolades will come, but for me, it is not my driving force.

In hindsight, what career advice would you give a younger version of Aleem Tharani?

In life, in anything that you do, always give your best. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, don’t sell yourself short. Value yourself, invest in yourself, and always learn! Learning never stops. Never rest on your laurels. Never pass up an opportunity to help someone if you can.

Most importantly, enjoy your life. Learn to have a good balance. Cherish and treasure your loved ones — those are the essential things that matter in life.