PRE-LEAP-RE · PREparing for a Long-Term Joint EU-AU Research and Innovation Partnership on Renewable Energy

Africa is still poor in energy supply even if impressively endowed by energy resources. Facing the global climate change, the continent will become increasingly energy demanding due to its growing population and economy, both claiming access to reliable, clean and affordable energy services. Therefore, Africa cannot lose momentum to exploit the potential of renewable energies (RE) to unleash local development. One effective way to support this transformation is by empowering local research and innovation through co-development relaying on international cooperation. This approach is the pillar of this CSA, which will create the conditions to transform research into effective innovation, tailored to the diverse needs, capacities and aspirations of African societies. By adopting a Theory of Change’ framework, the CSA is specifically focused on three actions: • Elaborating a review of past and current Africa-Europe collaborative initiatives in the field of RE to enable effective synergies with on-going activities, and identify research and capacity needs while avoiding duplication of efforts. • Designing technological and social innovation research pathways in compliance with the Knowledge Triangle, catalysing thus education, research and innovation. While maintaining the core focus on Technology, the pathways will be comprehensive of essential elements for long term sustainability such as business models, capacity building, financial schemes and regulatory frameworks. The Research Agenda will be thus complemented by a Human and Institutional Capacity Building Agenda and by proper organisational and funding principles for an efficient governance of the forthcoming Joint Programme.