Yinka Opeke is a global leader and trailblazer, transforming industries and driving impactful change across continents. With over 20 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience, she is renowned for her ability to create sustainable businesses, foster international trade partnerships, and empower women globally.
As the CEO of Smart Energies, Yinka has revolutionised Nigeria’s downstream gas sector through innovative technology, making cooking gas procurement safer, efficient, and accessible. Her Smart Energies Foundation exemplifies her commitment to social impact, having distributed over 65,000 gas cylinders to underprivileged communities and championing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 & 13.
Smart Energies is a pioneering gas distribution and renewable energy company headquartered in Lagos State, Nigeria. They operate in the midstream and downstream sectors of the energy industry, delivering innovative, sustainable, and superior quality services.
Their business model leverages a first-of-its-kind, innovative mobile app technology to revolutionise how Nigerians access clean energy. This integrated platform connects buyers and sellers, enabling orders to be placed from anywhere in the world.
In addition to her contributions to energy, she is the Founder and CEO of Trade Expo Africa (TEXA), a Houston-based enterprise dedicated to promoting made-in-Africa products within Africa and the United States. Since 2017, TEXA has facilitated multi-million-dollar trade agreements and launched an e-commerce platform in Houston, Texas, to bridge global trade gaps.
Yinka’s commitment to empowering women is showcased in her groundbreaking book, “Beyond Her Sexuality: The Strength Within,” where she inspires women to discover their innate strength and fulfil their potential.
Her academic excellence includes a B.Sc. in Geography and dual M.Sc. degrees in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Project Management from the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) and Queen Mary University of London (UK). She has an Entrepreneurship and Organisational Leadership doctorate from Walden University (USA). Certified in PRINCE2 and as a John Maxwell coach, trainer, and speaker, she brings a unique blend of practical insights and strategic leadership to every endeavour.
Yinka has been recognised for her exceptional achievements with prestigious accolades, and her strategic influence has earned commendations from notable figures, including late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, State Representative Shawn Thierry, and the immediate past Mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner.
She is passionate about partnering with global organisations, governments, and entrepreneurs to unlock opportunities and drive impactful results. Her professional strengths are: Innovation and strategic thinking, entrepreneurship, strategy formulation and implementation, management and leadership, brand management, sales and marketing, project management, business process improvement, team building, coaching and mentoring.
