The RCA seeks to promote sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-led energy transitions in Africa. Key objectives include: Promoting research on inclusive, sustainable energy transitions; Strengthening local innovation systems and technological capabilities; Enhancing gender-sensitive approaches to energy innovation; Facilitating stakeholder dialogue through workshops, webinars, and panel sessions; Informing policy through evidence-based research and strategic communication. The RCA will use the Learning, Innovation and Competence-building Systems (LICS) approach as both an analytical framework and action guide for building innovation systems in the African context.
The establishment of the this RCA marks a strategic effort to accelerate Africa’s transition to sustainable energy through innovation. It creates a much-needed platform to tackle systemic barriers, foster inclusive growth, and guide Africa toward a low-carbon, resilient future. By integrating research, policy, capacity-building, and partnership, the Chair will champion African-led pathways to environmental sustainability and energy equity.
The RCA is led by Dr. Maruf Sanni (Deputy Director at National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), a policy research institute of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology (FMSTI) in Nigeria. Dr. Sanni brings over 20years of research experience in the field of environmental sustainability to the chair. He has a PhD in Public Policy with a focus on Environmental Sustainability from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. His research examines economic activities at the intersection of technological change and environmental sustainability. Other team members supporting the RCA include; Mbeo Ogeya, Senior Research Associate, Energy Transition and Babatunde A. Aodu is a researcher at the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM).