Africa’s energy transition takes the stage in Brussels this May

A global impact of local scalable energy solutions

Across the diverse landscapes of Africa within SESA and ENERGICA, communities are taking the lead in developing ingenious energy solutions, tailored to their specific needs and contexts. The event will feature engaging discussions exploring lastingly impactful advancements in areas such as:

• Electric Mobility: Discovering sustainable transportation solutions.
• Water Treatment: Examining energy-efficient methods for clean water access.
• Clean Cooking: Exploring solutions for healthier and more sustainable cooking practices.
• Mini-grids: Unpacking the potential of local power networks.
• Natural Resource Conservation: Highlighting the synergy between ecological responsibility and energy innovation.

Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from experts and practitioners who are piloting these innovative energy solutions in eleven African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania). These sessions will go over the critical factors enabling progress, including supportive policy frameworks, promising private investment avenues, and essential capacity-building initiatives.

Bridging the gap between policy and innovation

The event will also strategically focus on aligning our two projects with international initiatives, such as the EU-Africa: Global Gateway Investment Package and the AU-EU Innovation Agenda. A central theme will be the process of transforming successful pilot solutions into scalable and sustainable business models, laying a foundation for the next exciting phase of Africa’s energy transition.

Who should attend?

‘Africa in Transition’ is a must-attend event for:

• Journalists and media representatives: Seeking to cover this pivotal moment in Africa’s development.
• Policymakers: Interested in shaping effective energy policies and fostering international collaboration.
• Researchers: Eager to exchange knowledge and explore the latest advancements in sustainable energy.
• NGOs: Working on the ground to promote sustainable development and energy access.
• SMEs: Looking for opportunities to invest in and contribute to Africa’s burgeoning energy sector.
• Regulatory Bodies: Involved in creating enabling environments for sustainable energy growth.

This event offers a unique and valuable networking opportunity for all participants to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and gain practical insights from real-world case studies across Africa’s dynamic energy sector.

Event Details:

• • Date: 20-21 May 2025
  • Venue: Le Bouche à Oreille, Rue Félix Hap, 11 – 1040, Brussels, Belgium
  • Free of cost

More about our partner project behind the event:

Energy Access in Urban and Rural Africa (ENERGICA):

ENERGICA is a dynamic project uniting 11 European and 17 African partners with a shared vision of promoting sustainable energy solutions across both continents. The project focuses on developing innovative solutions at three key sites: nano-grids for water and food security in rural Madagascar, biogas and water purification systems in peri-urban Sierra Leone, and solar-powered electric mobility solutions for mototaxis in urban Kenya. ENERGICA’s co-creation approach ensures that the developed solutions are deeply rooted in local needs, fostering greater market uptake and long-term sustainability. The project aims to positively impact 1,500 stakeholders through local business development, job creation, and the promotion of local manufacturing, ultimately driving lasting social, economic, and environmental benefits by integrating energy access with broader economic development.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping a sustainable energy future for Africa and the world!

The SESA project recently hosted its Fourth Regional Event in Marrakech, Morocco, focusing on the theme: “Accelerating e-mobility: Capacity building for sustainable transport solutions in Africa.” This multi-day event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including postgraduate students, researchers, practitioners, government officials, and industry leaders, to explore the transformative potential of e-mobility in addressing urban mobility challenges in Africa.

Day 1: Building Capacity and Exploring E-Mobility Solutions

The first day kicked off with a capacity-building session attended by over 100 participants, primarily students from the University Cadi Ayyad. This session provided a comprehensive overview of e-mobility, covering technological advancements, innovative approaches, and real-world applications. Presentations and discussions explored e-mobility solutions in Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, and Spain, highlighting the critical role of e-mobility in driving sustainable development and creating low-carbon cities. One of the main highlights was the launch of the newly developed SESA Toolbox, an open-source platform designed to empower stakeholders with technical knowledge and tools for e-mobility implementation. This interactive platform was indeed very well-received by participants.

In the afternoon, a select group of participants, including representatives from SESA Living Labs in Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa, embarked on a site visit to Pogo, a local e-scooter company in Marrakech. This visit provided additional valuable insights into the company’s business model and its successful deployment of e-scooters in the city. The exchange of knowledge and experiences among participants from different African countries proved to be a central aspect of this site visit, putting human relations and exchange of ideas and input at the center of the project.

Day 2: Policy Dialogue and Innovation for E-Mobility

The second day shifted focus to policy frameworks and innovative solutions. A high-level policy dialogue brought together government officials, industry leaders, and academics to address critical barriers to e-mobility adoption in Morocco. Discussions centered on regulatory frameworks, charging infrastructure development, and the integration of e-mobility with renewable energy sources like solar-powered mini-grids and second-life battery storage. After the panel, the day concluded with presentations showcasing successful e-mobility and renewable energy projects from Africa and Europe, providing beneficial lessons, as well as best practices for African countries.

Day 3: Peer-to-Peer Exchange and Collaboration

The final day of the event fostered peer-to-peer learning and collaboration through a dynamic exchange program! Representatives from Moroccan and European cities shared experiences and strategies for advancing renewable energy and e-mobility. The sessions highlighted practical solutions, such as optimizing energy consumption, implementing shared mobility systems, and fostering energy sharing practices within communities. This exchange facilitated connections between stakeholders and encouraged the development of collaborative projects that can accelerate the adoption of clean energy and mobility solutions across Africa.

The SESA Regional Event in Marrakech was a resounding success! Through a combination of capacity-building sessions, policy dialogues, site visits, and peer-to-peer exchanges, the event effectively equipped participants with the knowledge and tools needed to advance e-mobility in Africa. The event fostered regional collaboration, strengthened partnerships between stakeholders, and promoted the adoption of sustainable transport solutions. The positive feedback from participants and the valuable knowledge and ideas gained during the event underscored the significance of such collaborative initiatives in driving the transition to a sustainable energy future in Africa.

Revisit the event HERE. 

Co-authors:  Claudia Schröder – ICLEI AS and Zakariae OUACHAKRADI – Green Energy Park

On November 25, 2024, the SESA (Smart Energy Solutions for Africa) project convened its Third General Assembly, marking a crucial milestone in Month 38 of the 48-month project duration. This meeting gathered project partners and the project’s Advisory Board to reflect on progress, exchange insights, and strategize the path forward.

Key Highlights from the Assembly

Advisory Board Insights
The assembly commenced with remarks from Heinrich Wyes, Consultant to the European Commission (DG INTPA), and Kim Hyungju, Director of the Global Strategy Division at the Green Technology Center, Korea. They emphasized the importance of the SESA Toolbox as a resource for local communities and encouraged bolstering marketing efforts to enhance visibility. Sustainability emerged as a central theme, with a focus on expanding collaborations with other EU-funded initiatives and ensuring the replicability of SESA’s outcomes.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
A significant portion of the meeting centered on enhancing capacity-building activities. Suggestions included: Integrating cutting-edge areas into training modules; formalizing training materials into university curricula and tracking the practical applications of knowledge gained through training.

The aim is to engage a broader audience, including local governments, practitioners, and students, while fostering partnerships with other institutions.

Supporting Accelerated Companies
Participants discussed strategies for ensuring the long-term sustainability of accelerated companies. This involved providing mentorship, refining business models, and improving market access through industry connections. Recognizing the challenges of engaging local governments, it was suggested that presenting robust, data-backed business models could enhance the perceived bankability of initiatives.

Major Achievements and Updates

SESA Toolbox Launch and Development
The official launch of the SESA Toolbox is slated for the fourth regional event in Marrakesh, Morocco. With 69 knowledge products now accessible, the platform offers user-friendly navigation and showcases best practices across sectors such as solar PV, clean cooking, e-mobility, rural internet access, and smart microgrids.

Capacity Building Progress
The assembly celebrated the success of capacity-building initiatives with over 166 individuals trained in Ghana and Rwanda, E-learning modules on Solar PV, Waste-to-Energy, and E-Mobility available on the NUA Campus and SESA YouTube channel.

Additionally, peer-to-peer exchanges and site visits have strengthened cross-border knowledge sharing, with municipal stakeholders addressing barriers in energy technology adoption.

Demo-site and Living Labs: Catalysts for Innovation

SESA’s demo-site in Kenya has delivered impactful results, highlighting the potential of sustainable energy solutions when tailored to local needs. In Kenya, the demo-site showcased the value of user-centered approaches, where customization, community co-creation, and awareness campaigns drove widespread acceptance of clean energy technologies. Flexible business models and modular, durable systems also enhanced long-term sustainability, ensuring these solutions remain relevant and resilient.

In Ghana, the Solar PV projects demonstrated that standalone systems are more straightforward to deploy and monetize than microgrids, especially in urban markets where high-capacity solutions are preferred. The use of optimized designs and hybrid revenue models (direct sales and flexible subscriptions) helped achieve greater financial returns. Meanwhile, the bioethanol fuel and stove initiative refined stove designs to enhance usability and efficiency, addressing early adoption challenges and setting the stage for broader market uptake through policy advocacy and consumer education.

Malawi’s Living Lab made significant progress with its MIG Biocooker and briquetting initiatives. The Biocooker benefited from extensive user feedback, resulting in more efficient prototypes that met strict emission standards. Briquettes produced from agricultural waste received positive feedback for their clean burn and lasting heat, even though affordability remains a challenge. Ongoing efforts are focused on stabilizing raw material supply chains and exploring subsidies to lower costs.

South Africa’s Living Lab successfully engaged the local community, proving that even economically vulnerable groups will pay for services that meet essential needs. Education, local champions, and pilot phases offering discounted services played a crucial role in fostering trust and adoption. This approach has laid the groundwork for a scalable, community-driven model.

Morocco’s Living Lab advanced e-mobility and solar PV mini-grid solutions, overcoming regulatory and operational hurdles through strong partnerships with public and private stakeholders. Early pilot demonstrations validated the concepts, demonstrating that well-designed projects can attract investment and gain community support, regardless of economic status.

Strengthening the SESA Ecosystem

The General Assembly also outlined key steps to ensure the replication and scalability of the project. One major initiative involves developing policy roadmaps to support sustainable energy technologies across countries, providing a clear framework for future implementation. Another critical effort is the internal projects to receive pre-feasibility studies, which will help refine and advance their potential. Additionally, the consortium emphasized the importance of mapping financial institutions and other networks to secure diverse funding streams, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth for these innovative solutions.

Conclusion

The Third General Assembly reinforced SESA’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions through innovation, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. With just ten months remaining, the focus is on ensuring that the project’s impact extends beyond its duration, creating lasting change in local communities and contributing to global sustainable energy practices.