About CEPREC

The Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) is a £3.5m Pan-African Research Centre of Excellence driving sustainable energy solutions through circular economy innovations.

Funded by the UK Government’s Ayrton Fund, CEPREC unites academia, government, and industry.  Collaborating institutions include De Montfort University, the University of Warwick, and Chatham House in the UK, alongside Strathmore University (Kenya), the University of Lagos (Nigeria), the University of Namibia (Namibia), the University of Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone), Kigali Collaborative Research Centre (Rwanda), Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa), the University of Nairobi (Kenya), and the University of Nigeria (Nigeria).

Together with key industry and government partners, these institutions form a multidisciplinary, transcontinental consortium dedicated to advancing renewable energy solutions through circular economy innovations. By integrating cutting-edge research, policy influence, and capacity building, this collaboration ensures CEPREC’s long-term impact in shaping Africa’s sustainable energy future.  

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Our Vision
Our Mission

Our vision

To be the leading research centre driving new knowledge, innovation, skills empowerment, and policy development that leverages circular economy principles to enable Africa’s transition to a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy future.

Our mission

Our mission is to advance ground-breaking research, cultivate strategic partnerships, and strengthen capacity to harness circular economy principles, for Africa's energy transition

Our People

The project is bringing together a multi-sectoral team of academic experts, innovation and technology firms and third sector organisations

Prof. Muyiwa Oyinlola
Professor of Innovation for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University.

Muyiwa brings expertise in circular economy and sustainable development, along with extensive experience leading international, multidisciplinary projects. He leads CEPREC, coordinate WP8, and contributes to WP5.

Prof. Layi Alatise
Royal Society Industry Fellow in Electrical Engineering at the University of Warwick.

Layi specialises in power electronics and HVDC technology, with over 150 publications. He is Deputy Director (Engineering) of CEPREC, leading WP1 and contributing to WP8 and WP9.

Prof. Giuliana Battisti
Professor of Economics of Innovation at the University of Warwick.

Giuliana focuses on technology economics and business models. She serves as Deputy Director (Social Sciences) of CEPREC, leading WP7 and contributing to WP6, WP8, and WP9.

Prof Selma Lendelvo
Professor of Environmental and Natural Resources Management at the University of Namibia.

Selma leads activities in Namibia, co-leads WP5, and supports WP8 and WP9.

Prof. Shanwen Tao
Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Warwick.

Renowned for his work in battery electrochemistry and energy storage. Shanwen leads WP2.

Prof Izael Pereira Da Silva
Renewable Energy Professor at Strathmore University with extensive experience in solar microgrids.

Izael contributes to WP2, WP8, and WP9.

Prof Kelleh Mansary
Professor of Energy Engineering at the University of Sierra Leone.

Kelleh specialises in renewable energy projects, leads activities in Sierra Leone, co-leads WP4, and contributes to WP8 and WP9.

Prof Howard Njoku
Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nigeria, with a background in thermal management systems.

Howard co-leads WP3.

Dr Ester Hamatwi
Early-Career Researcher at the University of Namibia with a focus on renewable energy and microgrid design.

Ester contributes to WP1.

Dr Vijay Pakka
Senior Lecturer in Smart Grids and Machine Learning at De Montfort University.

Vijay has expertise in agent-based modelling and distributed energy. He leads WP4 on the project.

Dr Emmanouil Tyllianakis
Lecturer in Economics for Sustainable Development at De Montfort University.

Emmanouil specialises in survey-based modelling of risk perceptions and pro-environmental activities. He leads WP6 and contributes to WP7, WP8, and WP9.

Dr Anna Muchandigona
Lecturer in Economics at Tshwane University of Technology, with a background in business model innovation.

Anna contributes to WP7.

Dr Udochukwu Bola Akuru
Senior Lecturer in Electrical Machines at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

Bola specialises in renewable technologies, co-leads WP1, and leads activities in South Africa, contributing to WP8.

Dr Jose-Ortiz Gonzalez
Associate Professor in Power Electronics at the University of Warwick.

Jose specialises in high TRL power systems, bringing valuable insights to WP1.

Dr Patrick Schroder
Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House with expertise in circular economy and international policy.

Patrick leads WP5 and contributes to WP8 and WP9.

Dr Chris Vandome
Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, focusing on African political systems.

Chris leads WP9, managing multi-stakeholder research.

Dr Jack Barrie
Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House with experience in policy analysis and sustainable development.

Jack supports WP5 and WP9.

Dr Victor Odumuyiwa
Associate Professor at the University of Lagos with expertise in pro-environmental behaviour.

Victor leads activities in Nigeria, co-leads WP6, and contributes to WP8 and WP9.

Dr Folakemi Ajayi
Lecturer in Economics at the University of Lagos.

Folakemi supports WP7, focusing on sustainability and business models.

Dr Obiageli Christiana Okoye
Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Lagos, specialising in social dynamics in energy adoption.

Obiageli contributes to WP6.

Dr Osita Omeje
Senior Lecturer in Power Electronics at the University of Lagos.

Osita brings expertise in microgrids and renewable energy systems, contributing to WP4.

Dr Stan Shire
Reader in Mechanical Engineering.

Specialising in solar thermal technology and thermal energy storage. Stan leads WP3.

Dr Patrick Walker
Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Sierra Leone, with research on environmental perceptions.

Patrick contributes to WP6.

Dr Barry Rawn
Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering at Kigali Collaborative Research Centre, Rwanda.

Barry specialises in repurposing battery systems, leads activities in Rwanda, and co-leads WP2, contributing to WP8 and WP9.

Dr William Murithi
Expert in entrepreneurship and business model innovation at Strathmore University.

William leads activities in Kenya, co-leads WP7, and contributes to WP8 and WP9.

Dr Nitika Bhalla
Project Manager at De Montfort University, Leicester.

She is PRINCE2 certified and has experience of managing EU funded and UKRI proposals and projects. Nitika is responsible to ensure all projects are aligned to their overall objectives, tracking milestones & deliverables, and collaborating with various international stakeholders.

Dr Peter Kimani
Early-career researcher in thermo-fluids and energy engineering at the University of Nairobi.

Peter contributes to WP3 with a focus on sustainable energy systems.

Ms Abi Okoya
Head of Partnerships at CEPREC, with over 20 years’ experience managing partnerships across West Africa.

Abi brings expertise in education and circular economy research, supporting WP5 and WP8.

Join us in empowering Africa’s sustainable energy future.

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