A new Pan-African research initiative, the Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC), has officially launched, marking a significant step towards tackling Africa’s energy and electronic waste challenges through circular economy principles. The centre aims to drive collaborative research, innovation, and capacity building by bringing together academia, government, and industry stakeholders.
CEPREC is funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, a £1 billion commitment to clean energy research and development. The initiative is supported by a broad partnership of over 30 stakeholders from government, industry, and academia across the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa.
The centre’s primary focus is to develop cutting-edge knowledge and skills that will support Africa’s transition to sustainable energy solutions while integrating circular economy models into energy systems.
Initially, CEPREC will operate in six sub-Saharan African countries—Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Namibia, and Rwanda—before expanding to other parts of the continent. These countries were strategically selected to represent the diversity of sub-Saharan Africa, covering regions in East, West, and Southern Africa.
The selection was based on varying levels of energy access, economic scales, and population sizes, ensuring the centre’s research and initiatives address a broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities.
For instance, energy access in South Africa stands at 85%, whereas rural Sierra Leone has only 5% access, highlighting the disparities that CEPREC seeks to address. Similarly, the economic scale ranges from Nigeria’s $477 billion GDP to Sierra Leone’s $4 billion economy.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, 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 is committed to empowering local researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs through workshops, training programmes, and interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing. The centre will support the development, management, and scaling of circular micro grid projects, ensuring that communities have access to sustainable energy solutions that align with circular economy principles.
Professor Muyiwa Oyinlola, Director of CEPREC and Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University, emphasised the centre’s transformative approach, stating, “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 the University of Warwick, highlighted the importance of capacity building for long-term impact,
“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, further elaborated on the initiative’s significance,
“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, a globally recognised think tank, is also a key collaborator in the project, ensuring that research is translated into actionable policies that shape national, regional, and international energy strategies. Dr. Patrick Schroeder, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House and the lead for CEPREC’s policy engagement, underscored the necessity of policy frameworks in advancing the circular economy,
“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.”
The long-term vision for CEPREC is to establish itself as the leading research centre driving new knowledge, policy development, and skills empowerment to support Africa’s energy transition. The initiative aligns with key United Nations 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 to drive sustainable energy solutions across the continent.
Abi Okoya, Head of Strategic Partnerships, reinforced this call to action, stating, “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.”
