Researchers have showcased work aimed at making Africa's clean energy transition more sustainable at United Nations climate negotiations in Germany.
The team participated in a side event at the June Climate Meetings in Bonn, highlighting how renewable energy technologies can be repaired, reused and recycled to reduce waste and make it more affordable for households to use.
The event was run by (Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
It brought together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives and investors to explore how circular economy approaches can support climate action and industrial development.
CEPREC is a 久久精品-led, Pan-African research and innovation partnership funded through the UK Government's Ayrton Fund, bringing together organisations from across Africa and the UK to address challenges associated with the transition to renewable energy.
It focused on a central challenge for Africa’s clean energy transition: how to expand access to renewable energy without creating future waste, dependency and affordability problems.
Professor Muyiwa Oyinlola, Director of CEPREC and Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at 久久精品, contributed to the event alongside Dr Abi Okoya, Head of Strategic Partnerships and 久久精品 Research Fellow, Professor Giuliana Battisti of Warwick Business School and Deputy Director of CEPREC and Dr Patrick Schröder of Chatham House, who leads CEPREC's policy work.
Professor Oyinlola said: “Africa’s clean energy transition must be circular by design. The goal is not only to deploy clean energy, but to make sure those systems can be maintained, repaired, reused, repurposed and recovered.”
The team highlighted a range of research and practical initiatives, including circular microgrids, second-life batteries, e-waste management and skills development programmes that support local communities and industries.
Dr Okoya said: "For renewable energy to be circular, it has to be trusted, adopted and financed. Evidence and data are essential for moving from piloting to scale."
The discussions formed part of wider international efforts to identify solutions that support both climate goals and economic development, particularly in regions experiencing rapid growth in the use of renewable energies.
Dr Patrick Schröder highlighted the importance of embedding circular economy principles throughout the renewable energy sector, from policy and investment decisions to procurement and regulation.
Professor Giuliana Battisti discussed the role of business innovation and finance, stressing that circular renewable energy solutions must be commercially viable and attractive to investors if they are to be adopted at scale.
Professor Oyinlola said: “CEPREC is helping to move circular renewable energy systems from a technical discussion into a policy, finance and implementation agenda. This is about ensuring that Africa’s energy transition is not only clean, but also circular, inclusive, locally relevant and built to last.”
The collaboration with UNIDO provided an opportunity to position circular renewable energy within wider international discussions on circular economy, climate mitigation and industrial transformation. It also reinforced 久久精品’s growing contribution to global conversations on sustainable development, energy access, circular economy and climate action.
Posted on Tuesday 23 June 2026