An initiative seeking to tackle Africa’s energy and e-waste challenges has been unveiled with the establishment of the Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre.

The launch of the Pan-African research centre was announced during a virtual press briefing held on Monday.

The centre will focus on driving sustainable energy solutions through circular economy innovations, uniting academia, government, and industry to advance research, innovation, and capacity building in Africa’s energy sector.

Funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, a £1bn commitment to clean energy research and development, CEPREC brings together over 30 stakeholders across the UK and sub-Saharan Africa.

Initially, the centre will operate in six countries—Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Rwanda—before expanding further across the continent.

Speaking on the initiative, the UKRI International Director, Frances Wood, highlighted the importance of equitable research partnerships in addressing global energy challenges.

She said, “The Ayrton Challenge Programme demonstrates the power of research and innovation to address critical global challenges. These projects exemplify how interdisciplinary collaboration can unlock transformative solutions, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive energy future for all.”

The Director of CEPREC and Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University, Prof Muyiwa Oyinlola, emphasised the centre’s vision of transforming waste into economic opportunities.

He said, “CEPREC was set up to transform the way we think about waste—turning it into opportunity, empowering communities, and driving economic transformation. This initiative will set a new benchmark for sustainable energy solutions across Africa.”

On his part, the Deputy Director (Engineering) of CEPREC and Professor in Power Electronics at the University of Warwick, Prof Layi Alatise, stressed the importance of local capacity-building to ensure long-term sustainability.

“When technology is implemented without local capacity to maintain and expand it, sustainability is compromised. CEPREC will prioritise knowledge transfer and skills development to ensure its impact is long-lasting. By integrating circular economy principles into Africa’s energy sector, we are creating a resilient and sustainable future,” he explained.

On its policy impact and strategic partnerships, Chatham House collaborates with CEPREC to translate research into actionable policies that will shape national, regional, and international energy strategies.

CEPREC’s partner institutions include De Montfort University, the University of Warwick, and Chatham House in the UK, alongside Strathmore University (Kenya), the University of Lagos (Nigeria), the University of Namibia (Namibia), the University of Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), Kigali Collaborative Research Centre (Rwanda), Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa), the University of Nairobi (Kenya), and the University of Nigeria (Nigeria).

These institutions form a multidisciplinary, transcontinental consortium dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions.