Renewable Energy Solutions for Africa Foundation (RES4Africa) and Strathmore University, based in Nairobi, Kenya, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their cooperation in promoting renewable energy development in Kenya. The signed agreement aims to reinforce the two parties’ joint commitment in networking, capacity-building, communication and advocacy activities, as well as areas of mutual interest to both missions.

Already with a remarkable renewable electricity mix, Kenya is making a clear effort to diversify its power production, such as the white paper published last year, leveraging the enormous electricity potential available. In particular the White paper.

·         Establishing energy as a transformational good - 100% access by 2030, 100% access for small and micro enterprises ;

·         Establish kenya as a global leader in decarbonized economic growth - smart power grids, 50% reduction in biomass use, use green energy to create a competitive advantage e.g. green hydrogen;

·         100GW installed capacity by 2040 underpinned by renewables - Attract USD 300 billion in green energy investment,;

·         Establish Kenya as investment destination for industries seeking to decarbonize.

RES4Africa and Strathmore University goals are highly complementary and share a long track record of cooperation for the same long-term objective: renewable energy development in Kenya and in Africa, to be achieved by promoting capacity building activities as part of the RES4Africa Academy umbrella and the renewAfrica Initiative. 

The two parties have agreed to collaborate in the co-organisation of courses and workshops, as well as engage and facilitate dialogue with national and international industry stakeholders to speed up RE investments in the continent. In addition, their joint forces will aim at raising awareness on RE development through the organisation of outreach and advocacy activities, identifying synergies, exchanging know-how and providing mutual support in communication and dissemination efforts.

“Renewable energy development in Africa requires investments in the continent’s human capital, as well as the creation of synergies among different stakeholders at various levels” commented Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa’s General Secretary “the MoU with Strathmore University paves the road for the joint actions, required to raise awareness about Africa’s journey towards energy transition.”

“Since 2017, RES4Africa and Strathmore University have collaborated to build capacity in Africa's energy sector. The Micro-Grid Academy, which has trained over 7000 students and professionals mostly from Africa, over the last six years, is one of the fruits of this collaboration.As its scope of work expanded, the name of the initiative changed to RES4Africa Academy vocational training. This MoU signed today will settle a path to address SDG 7 between now and 2030 in perfect alignment with the commitment of the Government of Kenya towards a zero-carbon destination stated in the Kenya Vision 2030” added Prof. Izael Da Silva, DVC Research & Innovation at Strathmore University.