Universities in Africa are emerging as central actors in the continent’s energy transition, not only as the generators of knowledge but also as the conveners of policy dialogues and the architects of new innovations.
These roles were showcased at a recent Climate Compatible Growth workshop in Kenya, where academic research, government priorities and industry partnerships intersected to come up with a map for the country’s energy future.
At the heart of this effort is the Strathmore Energy Research Centre at Strathmore University, which continues to anchor national and regional conversations on sustainable energy. Through its leadership in the Climate Compatible Growth Network, the university is helping to bridge the gap between research and on the ground implementation.
Collaboration Across Institutions
Climate Compatible Growth is a UK Aid funded project which aims to support investment in sustainable energy and transport systems to meet development priorities in the Global South.
In Kenya, the initiative brings together key institutional partners, including the Strathmore Energy Research Centre, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the Multimedia University of Kenya, the University of Nairobi and Taita Taveta University.
Cross Pollination of Ideas and Knowledge
Martin Mutembei, the programme coordinator for Climate Compatible Growth in Kenya, explained that the workshop enabled the sharing of research findings and practical lessons on energy transitions.
“The CCG workshop provides a platform where local experts get to share the most relevant insights that are unique to the Kenya energy ecosystem in consideration of political, economic, social, technological, ethical, legal and environmental aspects of the country and the East African region. It looks at sharing opportunities for co-creation and co-development of research and is a forum for cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge.”
Martin Mutembei, Programme Coordinator for Climate Compatible Growth in Kenya
Mutembei added that this approach supports the development of energy planning tools, policy documents and legislative insights tailored to local contexts, improving decision making and implementation.
“There is ownership of work produced and [this] leads to high goodwill and buy-in during implementation of projects,” he added.
Shaping National Energy Policy
One of the main outcomes of the initiative has been its influence on national policy frameworks. In Kenya, research supported through the network has informed key instruments such as the Integrated National Energy Plan Regulations 2025 and the National Energy and Petroleum Policy 2026.
“INEP Regulations 2025 form a good basis for energy transition as it embodies the principles of inclusivity in energy planning,” said Mutembei.
The impact includes the scaling up of electric buses in Nairobi and the adoption of electric two wheelers in cities, alongside the development of guiding frameworks for future energy planning.
He also highlighted the importance of data systems in strengthening governance.
“INEP Regulations 2025 create a good environment for the development of energy data governance frameworks that will guide the management of data from collection, storage, processing and sharing with consideration of both the government and the public interest.”
Building Local Capacity and Expertise
Discussions at the workshop highlighted the growing role of climate entrepreneurship in advancing sustainable development. Participants emphasised the importance of energy access in supporting livelihoods, creating green jobs and enabling inclusive economic growth.
Mutembei noted that a defining feature of the initiative is its focus on strengthening local expertise through training and collaboration with government institutions.
“The more we train, the less the reliance for costly international consultants, thus making it possible to reduce the cost of developing national and sub-national plans, which also leads to ownership of documents produced and less to no resistance in implementation,” he stated.
The Need for Collective Action
Professor Izael Da Silva, deputy vice chancellor for research and innovation at Strathmore University and a founding member of the Strathmore Energy Research Centre, highlighted the challenge of energy access across the continent.
“Addressing this gap is not just a technical challenge, but also a developmental challenge. The solutions exist, but they require collective action and intentional collaboration,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of equitable partnerships and African leadership in shaping the continent’s energy future.
“Talking about a problem is never a solution. Real impact comes from implementing ideas. One principle must guide us: nothing about Africa without Africa. We must be active participants in shaping the decisions that affect our energy future. Partnerships must be mutually beneficial, built on clarity, shared value and long-term commitment,” he emphasised.
