CEPREC unveils £3.5m centre to drive Africa’s energy innovation

The Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) has been unveiled, marking a ground-breaking step towards addressing Africa’s energy and e-waste challenges.

The £3.5 million Pan-African Research Centre was unveiled at a virtual news conference on Monday.

CEPREC is funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, a £1 billion commitment to clean energy research and development.

The initiative is supported by an extensive partnership involving over 30 stakeholders from government, industry, and academia across the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa.

The centre aims to drive collaborative research, innovation, and capacity building by bringing together academia, government, and industry stakeholders.

Speaking on the initiative, Frances Wood, UKRI International Director, said the Ayrton Challenge Programme demonstrates the power of research and innovation to address critical global challenges.

“These projects exemplify how equitable, interdisciplinary collaboration can unlock transformative solutions, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive energy future for all,” Wood said.

She added that CEPREC would empower local researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to develop, manage, and scale circular microgrid projects through workshops, training programmes, and interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing.

Also, Prof. Muyiwa Oyinlola, Director of CEPREC and Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University, said the centre would transform waste through the initiative.

“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,” Oyinlola said.

Prof. Layi Alatise, Deputy Director (Engineering) of CEPREC, and Professor in Power Electronics at University of Warwick, said:

“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.”

Prof. Giuliana Battisti, Deputy Director (Social Sciences) of CEPREC and Professor of the Economics of Innovation at Warwick Business School, added:

“This initiative represents a unique opportunity to align cutting-edge research with real-world applications. By combining technological innovation with policy integration, we can create a self-sustaining ecosystem for Africa’s renewable energy future.”

Dr Patrick Schroeder, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, who is leading CEPREC’s Policy engagement, said transition to a circular economy requires a comprehensive international framework.

“The transition to a circular economy is not just an environmental imperative; it requires a comprehensive international policy framework that fosters innovation, collaboration, and sustainable practices across all sectors,” he said.

In her remarks, Abi Okoya, Head of Strategic Partnerships said, “CEPREC is committed to forging transformative partnerships that drive Africa’s sustainable energy future.