From October 15–16, 2025, the ONEPlanET consortium gathered in the vibrant city of Praia, Cabo Verde, for our annual General Assembly. Hosted at the Hotel Pestana Trópico, this meeting marked a pivotal moment for the project as we transition from foundational research to the deployment of practical tools for the African continent.
The Assembly brought together our 11 multidisciplinary partners from across Africa and Europe to synchronize efforts, evaluate our progress in the three regional case studies, and solidify our roadmap for the final phases of the project.
Strengthening the Consortium: Progress and Collaboration
The first two days were dedicated to deep-dive sessions where partners reviewed major milestones and addressed the complex challenges of modeling the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus.
A central theme of the discussions was cross-regional cooperation. By sharing insights from the Bani River (West Africa), the Songwe River Basin (East Africa), and the Inkomati-Usuthu area (Southern Africa), the consortium is ensuring that the ONEPlanET solutions are not just theoretically sound but are replicable across diverse socio-economic contexts.
Showcasing the Future: A Public Hybrid Event
A major highlight of the Assembly was the public hybrid session, where we opened our doors to global stakeholders, policymakers, and practitioners. This session provided a first-hand look at the “digital heart” of the project:
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ONESim & ONEPlay: These innovative simulation tools allow users to “play out” different policy scenarios. By adjusting variables in water usage or energy production, decision-makers can visualize the long-term impact on food security and resource sustainability before implementing policies in the real world.
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The ONEPlanET Knowledge Hub: More than just a digital library, the Hub is designed as a capacity-building engine, offering open-access resources to empower the next generation of WEF Nexus experts in Africa.
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Integrated Toolkits: We showcased how our open-access methodologies support evidence-driven governance, helping to close the gap between academic research and practical community application.
Our Commitment to Co-Creation
The Praia Assembly reinforced a core tenet of the ONEPlanET project: Co-creation. We are not building tools for Africa in a vacuum; we are building them with African stakeholders. The feedback received during the hybrid event from local practitioners ensures that our tools remain user-friendly, culturally relevant, and scientifically rigorous.
“The tools we presented in Praia—like ONESim and the Knowledge Hub—are the culmination of years of collaborative effort. They represent our commitment to a just energy transition where data serves the people.”
What’s Next?
Following the success in Cabo Verde, the consortium is now focused on the final refinement of the ONEPlanET Toolkit. These tools will soon be fully available to help communities increase clean energy generation while reducing inequalities and protecting vital resources.
Explore Our Tools
Interested in how simulation can change the way we manage resources?
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Visit our Knowledge Hub to access the latest webinars and policy briefs.
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Follow us on LinkedIn for updates on the official rollout of the ONESim platform.