Building capacity towards what? Proposing a framework for the analysis of energy transition governance in the context of urban informality in Sub-Saharan Africa

This review article follows the author’s participation in the International DEASA Conference held in Mauritius in December 2014. There is a growing concern over the years to develop Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in sub-Saharan Africa based upon the fact that all nations are connected to the Internet and related technologies. In this perspective, the objective of encouraging distance learning comes from the fact that it had existed in Mauritius and several other countries in its traditional form through mail and correspondence courses. The fact that such type of education is gaining more recognition today calls the author to reflect upon how suitably distance education could be imparted in sub-Saharan Africa with the knowledge that it is still in its infancy since Africa is in general lagging behind in technology. There is no excuse given that governments in sub-Saharan Africa believe that distance learning helps building capacity in their respective countries and favours the advancement and growth of individuals. Blending both technology and education followed by governing principles of broadening educational access at the tertiary level might improve opportunities for development and growth. Illustrations are taken from different countries which have both met with the challenges and success of distance learning. It is found out that governments in sub-Saharan Africa need to move forward with bolder initiatives to ensure the success of open and distance learning in the region.

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Rethinking a new transition finance paradigm for addressing the climate crisis in Africa

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1028661/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Zisuh

Keyword(s):

Energy Policy ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Capital Investments ◽

Grid Systems ◽

The Poor ◽

Private Investments ◽

National Energy Policy ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Climate Crisis

Abstract This policy brief uncovers the investment-ready instruments and policy packages that can unlock the energy transition in Sub-Saharan Africa. These are summarised around three key messages. First, transition finance vehicles in Africa should aim to transform ‘brown’ (polluting) into ‘green’ (renewable) industries. Second, key instruments include green bonds for specific environmental projects, grants/guaranties to support private investments that target access to energy for the poor, and patient capital investments into growth sectors focused on environmental, social, and governance targets. Third, national energy policy should connect innovative market-based solutions (e.g., mini grids) to centralized (e.g., national grid) systems to strengthen governance.

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Is there a role of pharmacogenomics in Africa

Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics ◽

10.1017/gheg.2016.4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. Matimba ◽

M. Dhoro ◽

C. Dandara

Keyword(s):

Clinical Research ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Genome Diversity ◽

Building Capacity ◽

Genetic Mechanisms ◽

Sub Saharan

Pharmacogenomics has the potential of transforming clinical research and improving healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The role of African genome diversity and the opportunities for pharmacogenomics research are highlighted and will enable discovery of novel genetic mechanisms and validation of established markers. African genomics and biobank consortia will play an important role in building capacity for pharmacogenomics in SSA.

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The Role of Off-Grid Houses in the Energy Transition with a Case Study in the Netherlands

Energies ◽

10.3390/en12102033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 2033 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Diego F. Quintero Pulido ◽

Marnix V. Ten Kortenaar ◽

Johann L. Hurink ◽

Gerard J.M. Smit

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Solar Pv ◽

Current Trends ◽

The World ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Electricity Access ◽

Renewable Energy Generation

Off-grid houses can be considered an important concept to increase the access to electricity throughout the world. Although there are quite some initiatives in place to improve the access to electricity, the implementation rate of practical solutions is far below the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7: Energy (SDG 7) + for 2030. This situation is most apparent in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the current trends of electricity access calculated by the World Bank indicate that this region will not be able to achieve the SDG 7 target. Another worldwide trend which may help to increase electricity access is that currently, a lot of renewable energy generation is realized locally in houses (especially Solar Photovoltaics (PV)). This paper reviews the recent developments to increase the access to electricity in the world and the implementation of off-grid houses in different scenarios. The focus here is on the different efforts to create off-grid houses considering their challenges on a macro and micro level. Moreover, potential research directions for technologies in off-grid houses are presented in more detail. For this, a case description of a possible off-grid house in the Netherlands is presented together with some initial simulations results for this case using solar PV, the Sea-Salt battery, and a Glycerol Fuel Cell. The simulations use the DEMkit software and the analysis is performed using measured house load data for a period in winter and in summer.

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