Warwick Business School is co-organising a pan-African virtual policy conference that will examine how circular value chains could help accelerate Africa’s renewable energy transition and ensure its economic benefits are shared equitably. Senior representatives from the United Nations, the African Development Bank, the UK Foreign Office and environment ministers from across Africa are due to take part.
The conference, titled Turning the Lights On: Unlocking Circular Value Chains for Africa’s Renewable Energy Transition, is being convened with the African Circular Economy Alliance. It takes place online on Wednesday 21 October, from 9am to noon (GMT).
Development banks, agencies and governments taking part
The event is being co-organised by Giuliana Battisti, Professor of the Economics of Innovation and Deputy Director of the Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC). Warwick Business School is the largest department of the University of Warwick.
Speakers will include senior figures from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Development Bank Group, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the World Resources Institute and the Development Bank of South Africa. Government representatives from countries including Rwanda, South Africa and Namibia will also attend.
Riad Meddeb, Head of Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy at the UNDP, will give a keynote address on ‘Powering Africa’s Energy Future: Energy Access, Sustainable Infrastructure and the Role of Circular Value Chains’.
Energy access and the materials challenge
Professor Battisti said: “The gathering comes at a critical moment for Africa’s energy transition. Around 600 million Africans – slightly less than 50 per cent of the African population – currently live without access to electricity. This is a major concern as energy presents essential opportunities for improving living conditions, life expectancy and more generally to kick-start economic development, industrialisation and job creation across the continent. Renewable energy is best placed to address the energy need, but it also creates challenges around the sourcing, reuse and end-of-life management of materials and technologies such as solar panels, and batteries.
“The conference will explore how circular economy principles can help African nations capture greater value from renewable energy supply chains through the repurposing of technologies and components, waste reduction, and the development of local industries.”
Why circular value chains matter beyond generation
Professor Battisti said the event reflects growing international recognition that the energy transition must be accompanied by new approaches to resource management. “But ensuring that this clean transition delivers long-term prosperity requires us to think beyond energy generation alone and focus on creating circular value chains that maximise local businesses, utilise local resources, create local capabilities, skills and local jobs, generate resource efficiency and sustainable development for local growth,” she said.
“Circular solutions for sustainable energy provision can create a new development pathway, enabling countries to avoid the fossil fuel-dependent, high-carbon growth model of many developed economies.”
Links to the CEPREC research programme
CEPREC is a pan-African research centre that brings together government, industry and academia. It is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the UK Government’s £1 billion Ayrton Fund.
As deputy director, Professor Battisti is helping to shape a £3.5 million pan-African research programme co-funded by the Ayrton Fund. The programme focuses on repurposing end-of-life electric vehicle components, including batteries and inverters, for renewable energy microgrids serving off-grid and underserved communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Warwick Business School, Professor Battisti took part earlier this year in UN high-level political forums on Africa’s sustainable transition in New York and in the UN climate change meeting in Bonn. She will join the University of Warwick’s delegation to COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, in November. Climate Global News has previously reported on UK–African partnerships advancing renewable alternatives to fossil fuel generators.
Policy brief and next steps
The conference aims to produce an evidence-based policy brief and recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms and regional co-operation in support of circular renewable energy systems. Professor Battisti said collaboration between governments, industry, academia and international organisations is crucial to delivering impact and to meeting the Paris Agreement goal of pursuing efforts to limit global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
“No single organisation can address the challenges of the energy transition alone,” she said. “Governments increasingly need to seek ways to balance climate goals, economic development and energy security. I hope the conference will help turn high-level ambition into practical action across Africa and for Africa’s growth.”
Frequently asked questions
When is the Turning the Lights On conference?
The virtual conference takes place on Wednesday 21 October, from 9am to noon (GMT).
Who is organising the conference on circular value chains for Africa’s energy transition?
It is co-organised by Professor Giuliana Battisti of Warwick Business School, Deputy Director of CEPREC, and convened with the African Circular Economy Alliance.
Which organisations are taking part?
Participants include the UNDP, the African Development Bank Group, IRENA, the World Resources Institute and the Development Bank of South Africa, along with government representatives from countries including Rwanda, South Africa and Namibia.
How many Africans lack access to electricity?
According to Professor Battisti, around 600 million Africans, slightly less than 50 per cent of the population, live without access to electricity.
What will the conference produce?
It aims to produce an evidence-based policy brief and recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms and regional co-operation for circular renewable energy systems.
