Panel Discussion 1 — Africa Think Tank Leaders Forum: Who Owns Africa's Energy Transformation Agenda?
Session Overview
This session convenes the continent's leading policy research institutions to examine the role of African think tanks in shaping the future of Africa's energy systems — how they can move beyond producing research outputs to becoming strategic actors in energy policy design, reform implementation, investment mobilization, and public accountability.
Moderated by Dr. Abbi Kedir (AERC), with panelists Dr. Frejus Thoto (ACED, Benin), Dr. Eldah Onsomu (KIPPRA), Mrs. Elizabeth Sidiropoulos (SAIIA), Dr. Karim El Aynaoui (Policy Center for the New South, Morocco) and Mr. Barnabé Okouda (CERPCAP, Cameroon).
Objective: establish a continental platform for think tank leaders to define their strategic role in evidence-based energy transformation, strengthen policy influence, and ensure reforms are guided by credible research. Expected outcomes: a continental think tank position on Africa's energy transformation agenda; a coordinated knowledge-sharing platform for joint research and peer learning; a defined think tank action agenda with practical commitments.
Key Topics
- Think tanks as strategic actors, not just researchers
- Continental position on energy transformation
- Coordinated knowledge-sharing platform
Session Materials
- PRESENTATION SLIDESAvailable after session
- VIDEO RECORDINGAvailable after session