Meet Washington Chipango, 'African Rockefeller' transforming Africa's energy sector. From early failures to founding Power Life Energy, discover how his 4Ds philosophy - Dream, Drive, Determination, and Dedication - is powering his mission to illuminate the continent. A inspiring tale of young entrepreneurship and resilience
Are entrepreneurs born or made? While this question remains debated, some individuals clearly discover their entrepreneurial calling early in life. Washington Chipango, founder of Power Life Energy, embarked on his business journey at just 20 years old. Now, he heads an integrated power and renewable energy company with ambitious plans to illuminate Africa.
Known among peers as "The African Rockefeller" for his focus on the energy sector, Washington's entrepreneurial roots trace back to his childhood. Growing up around family members who ran various businesses, he gained early exposure to commerce while helping at his mother's flower shop in Harare, handling tasks like merchandising and inventory. His conviction in practical business experience led him to leave his Accounting Sciences studies at the University of South Africa (UNISA), believing that the real-world knowledge he sought couldn't be found in textbooks.
Power Life Energy wasn't Washington's first venture. His initial foray into business, Supreme Security, was launched in partnership with a UK-based friend when he was 20. The venture lasted eighteen months before collapsing due to what Washington candidly attributes to youthful inexperience, poor financial management, and partnership disputes. "A lot of things were not documented and there are consequences because some people lack integrity. It is important to document and bind every business agreement," he reflects.
Rather than allowing this setback to defeat him, Washington used it as a learning opportunity. He took a year to regroup and build capital, strategically partnering with his uncle's Chiredzi-based signage business. Acting as his uncle's Harare representative, he explains, "I knew my uncle was not going to give me money for free so I had to give him something that he needed in exchange for the money." This arrangement proved fruitful – within a year, Washington had secured enough high-value tenders to venture out independently.
Power Life Energy, registered in 2017 and operational by April 2018, began with Washington's hard-earned capital investing in electrical equipment and supplies. He recalls his humble beginnings meeting potential clients in the Rainbow Towers hotel lobby, lacking an office. "When you are starting out people want to know what you have done for yourself. No one is willing to experiment with their money by investing in someone with no experience," he notes.
Today, Power Life Energy stands poised for significant growth, boasting a distinguished board including Professor Nabhit Kapur. Washington's ability to attract such respected business figures stems from his compelling vision and structured approach to recognizing their contributions. The company is now preparing to develop a solar power plant with Middle Eastern investors.
The path hasn't been smooth – Washington has navigated government bureaucracy, policy inconsistencies, and payment issues with unreliable clients. Yet he maintains that entrepreneurs must embrace challenges as opportunities for solutions, emphasizing that entrepreneurship requires faith in the unseen.
Washington's business philosophy centers on what he calls the 4Ds: Dream (the initial business concept), Drive (the focus to pursue it), Determination (persistence against obstacles), and Dedication (sustained commitment). Drawing inspiration from Dr. Strive Masiyiwa's Facebook teachings, he cautions young entrepreneurs against premature displays of success: "There is a difference between the perception of success and the reality of success. You do not establish a business today then purchase a Range Rover tomorrow.
