Funding injection for South-North sustainable energy research

As COP29 approaches and the world grapples with the urgent need to combat climate change while expanding electricity access for the excluded, a new wave of funding for sustainable energy research is set to empower researchers from Africa and Europe.

The highly anticipated second phase of a joint energy initiative between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) is officially under way, with a new call for funding applications from researchers at universities and in the private sector expected early next year.

LEAP-SE, the Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Energy, was launched at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy on 10 October 2024, building on the successes of its predecessor, LEAP-RE, which has a narrower focus on renewable energy.

The new phase promises to unlock significant funding opportunities for research projects exploring sustainable energy solutions to combat climate change, which has a disproportionate impact on Africa but is a priority area for both continental bodies.

Leap forward

The LEAP initiative is a key component of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), which prioritises climate change and sustainable energy as critical areas for collaboration.

It gives effect to the HLPD’s dedicated Research and Innovation Partnership on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (CCSE), which fosters collaborative research and innovation projects that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This commitment is further reflected in the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, adopted in 2023, which recognises the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa and emphasises the need for locally tailored solutions.

One of the four pillars of the agenda is the ‘Green Transition’. This focuses on promoting sustainable and climate-resilient development through research and innovation in such areas as renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture and climate services.

LEAP-SE operationalises this goal and, as such, “represents a significant step in deepening EU-AU cooperation in sustainable energy”, Dr Marie-Laure Tarot of the French National Research Agency (ANR) told University World News.

Partners

ANR is jointly coordinating the partnership with the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS).

Another 18 partners from eight European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Türkiye) and eight African countries (Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia) make up the consortium. Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritania are set to join soon.

Funding model

LEAP-SE has a budget of €30 million (about US$32.6 million), a third of which will be provided by Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.

The rest will come from the partners themselves, mainly funding agencies and government ministries in EU and AU member states.

The LEAP initiative has a co-funding model that encourages equitable partnership between Europe and Africa. This ensures that both continents contribute financially and share ownership of the research agenda.

“Common research actions develop common trust and create benefits on both continents,” Dr Rosalinde Van der Vlies, the director of the Clean Planet unit in the European Commission’s directorate for Research and Innovation, said at the event where LEAP-SE was launched.

This collaborative approach marks a departure from traditional North-South funding models, in which funding often comes with strings attached.

“Africa is taking up a seat at the table,” Tinyiko Ntshongwana, the deputy director for Africa Multilateral Cooperation at South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), said in her input.

“We are moving beyond the role of resource provider towards manufacturing, industrialisation and commercialisation, with the goal of retaining intellectual property and building up our continent,” she said.

The DSI and LGI Sustainable Innovation, a French SME, are the joint coordinators of the first phase, LEAP-RE, which started in 2020 and will be concluded next year.

Funding calls

LEAP issues co-funded calls for research in Europe and Africa, supporting innovation and building energy solutions for the two continents together.

In the RE phase (2020–25), co-funded with €15 million by the EU through its Horizon 2020 programme, the focus was on renewable energy. This will now be expanded to sustainable energy in the SE phase (2024–30), which will be co-funded with €10 million by the EU through Horizon Europe.

First-phase achievements

LEAP-RE has achieved significant milestones since it got going in earnest in 2021. It established a network of 85 research partners across 33 countries in Europe and Africa, which fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers, institutions and policymakers on both continents.

With a total budget of €32 million and two rounds of calls, it funded 31 research and innovation projects in renewable energy. These focused on six themes, including geothermal energy and access to energy. And university-based research projects were the biggest beneficiaries.

The initiative also facilitated training, workshops and knowledge-sharing, and nurtured a vibrant community of researchers, entrepreneurs and funding bodies dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions.

All of which laid a strong foundation for its successor to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable energy future for both continents.

Second-phase ambitions

LEAP-SE is poised to build on the achievements of its predecessor and further advance sustainable energy collaboration between Europe and Africa.

With an expanded scope, LEAP-SE aims to increase the number of participating countries and research institutions from both continents, secure funding from a wider range of sources, and facilitate the translation of research outputs into practical solutions and commercially viable technologies.

The initiative’s focus will be on seven key areas:

• Assessment of renewable energy sources and integration of research in sustainable energy scenarios;

• End-of-life and second-life management and environmental impact of renewable energy components;

• Smart stand-alone systems;

• Smart grids for off-grid applications;

• Processes and appliances for productive uses;

• Innovative solutions for priority domestic uses (clean cooking and cold chain); and

• Production and utilisation of green hydrogen.

Challenges and opportunities for Africa

Africa faces a complex energy landscape, characterised by a rapidly growing population, a significant energy access deficit, and an over-reliance on commodity exports.

In his keynote address, Daniel Wetzel of the International Energy Agency argued that “Africa is not simply a passive participant but rather a crucial player with both abundant resources and potential to shape the future of energy production and consumption.”

He presented an optimistic outlook, citing the growth in clean energy investment in Africa, despite the high cost of capital for clean energy projects on the continent, which is “almost three times larger than in advanced economies”.

Nickson Bukachi Ongeri, from the African Energy Commission (AFREC), noted that the continent’s population is expected to double by 2050, while millions still lack access to electricity.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, struggles to provide reliable electricity to its inhabitants, with frequent power outages hindering economic development.

This energy deficit is further exacerbated by the continent’s dependence on raw material exports, such as oil and minerals, leaving it vulnerable to price fluctuations and limiting the growth of local manufacturing and value-added industries.

However, Ongeri also underscored the immense potential of renewable and sustainable energy to overcome these challenges. Expanding capacity in this regard can create employment, particularly for Africa’s burgeoning youth population.

Kenya’s geothermal energy sector, for instance, has not only increased electricity access, but also created thousands of jobs in construction, operation and maintenance.

Furthermore, developing local manufacturing capabilities for renewable and sustainable energy technologies can reduce reliance on imports and contribute to economic diversification.

Crucially, sustainable energy plays a vital role in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To fully realise this potential, research and innovation must go hand-in-hand. LEAP-SE recognises this by actively encouraging private-sector participation and entrepreneurship.

By fostering collaboration between African and European researchers and innovators, the initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of sustainable energy solutions tailored to the continent’s specific needs, driving both economic growth and climate action.

Science diplomacy in action

The European Commission (EC) has identified its partnership with Africa as a key priority, accentuating shared interests and the potential for collaboration.

At the LEAP meeting in Italy, Professor Donatella Sciuto, the rector of Politecnico di Milano, highlighted the role of science as a tool for dialogue and cooperation in tackling complex challenges.

The emphasis on science diplomacy aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Europe-Africa partnerships.

EC President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined her commitment to increased investment in Africa, including in renewable energy and green hydrogen, and to respond to shared concerns such as climate change and migration.

These efforts are seen as crucial in building momentum for the next AU-EU Summit, planned for 2025, although a precise date and venue have yet to be confirmed.

LEAP-SE, with its focus on collaborative research and innovation, reflects this broader context of strengthening EU-Africa relations. The initiative’s success will depend on its ability to effectively leverage the combined expertise of African and European researchers to develop and implement sustainable energy solutions.

The call for LEAP-SE projects is expected to be announced on a dedicated part of the existing LEAP-RE website and on participating partners’ websites around mid-January 2025.