Hybrid workshop: Synergies for sustainable energy transition in Africa, drawing perspectives from 4 sister projects | September – Hybrid (Paris, France)
As part of our ongoing discussions on sustainable energy transitions in Africa, a recent hybrid workshop explored innovative energy modeling approaches from the four sister projects (ONEPlanET, EMERGE, EPIC AFRICA & RE-INTEGRATE) that support practical, data-driven policies. Hosted at the ONEPlanET General Assembly as a hybrid event, the event highlighted the importance of models that reflect Africa’s unique socio-cultural and economic landscapes, ensuring that transition strategies are not only theoretically sound but actionable and locally relevant.
Key Themes and Insights
- Modeling for Policy Impact: The speakers stressed the need for models that influence actionable, data-backed policies, emphasizing the importance of adaptable models that incorporate emerging technologies and innovations for effective policy support.
- Addressing Complex Socio-economic Realities: A major challenge for energy models lies in accurately representing Africa’s diverse socioeconomic factors. One example discussed was the cultural preference for wood-cooked meals, which presents a unique barrier to clean energy adoption. Effective models must respect these cultural dimensions while promoting sustainable alternatives.
- Re-evaluating Infrastructure and Energy Systems: Rather than expanding traditional grid infrastructures, the discussion emphasized the importance of designing systems that accommodate off-grid communities and align with African realities. This approach ensures sustainable solutions that meet the actual needs and limitations across different regions.
- A Vision-Led, Collaborative Approach: Including voices from diverse backgrounds is essential for developing models and policies that are not only achievable but impactful across communities building upon a “future design arena” where stakeholders collaboratively envision Africa’s energy future.
Building upon past related webinar hosted by ONEPlanET, this interactive and engaging workshop emphasized that Africa’s sustainable energy models must integrate local socio-cultural and economic realities to guide actionable, relevant policies. Stakeholder dialogue and visionary thinking are central to these efforts.