Jean Gabriel UZABAKIRIHO
TheCircular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC)has officially launched, marking a ground-breaking steptowards addressingAfrica’s energy and e-waste challenges.
Operating as a Pan-African, multisectoral, and interdisciplinary Research Centre, CEPREC unites academia, government, and industryto drivecollaborative research, innovation, and capacity building. The Centre is committed to developing cutting-edge knowledge and skills that leverage circular economy principlesto support Africa’s energy transition.
CEPREC is funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund,a £1 billion commitmentto clean energy research and development. The initiative is supported by an extensive partnershipinvolving over 30 stakeholders from government, industry, and academia across the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. Initially, CEPREC will operate in six sub-Saharan African countries—Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Rwanda—before expanding further across the continent.
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.” CEPREC will empower local researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs todevelop, manage, and scale circular microgrid projectsthrough workshops, training programmes, and interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing.
Professor Muyiwa Oyinlola, Director of CEPREC and Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University, said: “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.
Professor 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.”
Professor 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.” Chatham House, the globally renowned think tank, is also a collaborator, to ensure that research is transformed into actionable policies, shaping national, regional, and international energy strategies while guiding key decision-makers in sustainable energy and circular economy practices. Dr. Patrick Schroeder, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, who is leading CEPREC’s Policy engagement, also said: “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.”
CEPREC’s initial focus countries were strategically selected to represent the diversity of sub-Saharan Africa, covering East, West, and Southern regions. These countries differ significantly in energy access rates, economic scale, and population size, —from 85% energy access in South Africato just 5% in rural Sierra Leone, and from Nigeria’s $477 billion GDPto Sierra Leone’s $4 billion economy. This diversity ensures that CEPREC addresses a broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities across the continent.
The long-term vision for CEPREC is to establish itself as the leading research centredriving new knowledge, policy development, and skills empowerment for Africa’s energy transition. The initiative aligns with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
With the official launch of CEPREC, key stakeholders are invited to collaborate on this transformative initiative. In her remarks, Abi Okoya, Head of Strategic Partnerships said, “CEPREC is committed to forging transformative partnerships that drive Africa’s sustainable energy future. This is more than a Centre—it’s a movement to unite government, industry, and academia in creating innovative, circular solutions that will redefine how we power our communities. We invite stakeholders from across the continent and beyond to join us in scaling impact, driving policy change, and ensuring that Africa leads the global transition to sustainable and inclusive energy systems.”
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About CEPREC
The Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) is a Pan-African Research Centre of Excellence driving sustainable energy solutions through circular economy innovations. Funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, CEPREC unites academia, government, and industry. Collaborating institutions include De Montfort University, the University of Warwick, and Chatham House in the UK, alongside Strathmore University (Kenya), the University of Lagos (Nigeria), the University of Namibia (Namibia), the University of Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), Kigali Collaborative Research Centre (Rwanda), Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa), the University of Nairobi (Kenya), and the University of Nigeria (Nigeria). Together with key industry and government partners, these institutions form a multidisciplinary, transcontinental consortium dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions through circular economy innovations. By integrating cutting-edge research, policy influence, and capacity building, this collaboration ensures CEPREC’s long-term impact in shaping Africa’s sustainable energy future.
Quotes for Project Countries
CEPREC’s initial focus countries were strategically selected to represent the diversity of sub-Saharan Africa, covering East, West, and Southern regions. These countries differ significantly in energy access rates, economic scale, and population size—from 85% energy access in South Africa to just 5% in rural Sierra Leone, and from Nigeria’s $477 billion GDP to Sierra Leone’s $4 billion economy. This diversity ensures that CEPREC addresses a broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities across the continent.
Dr. William Murithi, Head, CEPREC in Kenya remarked:
“As a university that is leading the way in the transformation of Africa, Strathmore University is delighted to be part of CEPREC, a first of its kind on the continent. This is an opportunity to be part of a project that will impact Africa’s critical sector by providing sustainable energy through developing circular value chain frameworks, building business models for microgrids, knowledge transfer, capacity building, and policy innovations. By bringing together key stakeholders, CEPREC will leave a lasting footprint in a continent with the largest potential for renewable energy in the world.”
Professor Izael Pereira Da Silva, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Strathmore University in Kenya, stated:
“Kenya has been at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, and CEPREC strengthens this momentum. By transforming e-waste into energy solutions, we are not only tackling a growing environmental challenge but also enhancing energy security in the region. This initiative will serve as a model for the rest of Africa and beyond.”
Dr. Barry Rawn, Head, CEPREC in Rwanda, remarked:
“The future of energy in Africa lies in local innovation and resource efficiency. By repurposing lithium-ion batteries and solar e-waste, CEPREC is proving that sustainable, low-carbon solutions can be both economically viable and socially impactful. This is a transformative moment for Rwanda and the continent as a whole.”
Dr. Selma Lendelvo, Head, CEPREC in Namibia, said:
“Namibia is excited to be part of this transformative project. CEPREC’s focus on circular microgrids offers a scalable solution to energy access while addressing the growing challenge of e-waste. By fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government, we are ensuring that our energy solutions are inclusive, sustainable, and locally driven.”
Dr. U. B. Akuru, Head, CEPREC in South Africa, emphasised:
“Harnessing second-life power electronics is a game-changer for Africa’s energy future. By repurposing existing technologies, we are creating affordable and sustainable energy solutions that will empower communities and drive economic growth. This project will help unlock Africa’s vast renewable energy potential.”
Dr. Victor Odumuyiwa, Head, CEPREC in Nigeria, emphasised:
“We are excited to contribute to this groundbreaking project! This initiative holds immense potential to drive sustainable energy solutions across Africa by promoting the adoption of circular microgrids. Together, we are shaping a future powered by innovation, collaboration, and sustainability!”
Professor Kelleh Mansaray, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sierra Leone and Head, CEPREC in Sierra Leone, highlighted:
“Sierra Leone faces one of the lowest energy access rates in Africa, but CEPREC is bringing real, scalable solutions. By integrating circular economy principles with renewable microgrid technologies, we are paving the way for sustainable energy access that supports economic transformation and community resilience.”
This diverse representation of perspectives underscores CEPREC’s Pan-African approach, ensuring that its solutions are tailored to different national contexts while contributing to a shared vision of energy security, sustainability, and circular economy-driven development across the continent.