The 1st International Symposium on African Sustainable Energy Solutions (AfrSuEnS) was successfully convened from 25–28 August 2024 at Sun City Resort in the North West Province, South Africa. 

ICES Management with representatives from Erinite Energy, Elleyhill Power, Isondo Precious Metals, the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA)

This landmark event was hosted by the Institute of Catalysis and Energy Solutions (ICES), a newly established research institute in the College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET). ICES is rapidly positioning itself as a leader in the development of strategic and applied research in catalysis and energy solutions to address Africa’s pressing energy challenges.

AfrSuEnS brought together an impressive assembly of 110 leading researchers, scientists, engineers, and practitioners from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The symposium was made possible through the support of several key partners, including the Gauteng Catalysis Forum (GCF), the International Association for Carbon Capture (IACC), and the South Africa–China Science and Technology Association (SACTSA), whose contributions ensured a globally informed and locally grounded dialogue.

Group photo of participants after presentations

The symposium featured a dynamic and diverse program that spanned a wide range of cutting-edge topics, including:

• Alternative and green fuel production
• Biomass and waste-to-energy technologies
• Carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)
• Hydrogen energy systems
• Electrochemical and photochemical energy conversion
• Energy storage innovations
• Renewable energy infrastructure and policy in Africa

Participants engaged in technical sessions, keynote presentations, and poster exhibitions, showcasing advances in technology and novel research findings. The discussions underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and interdisciplinary innovation in unlocking Africa’s energy potential.

One of the highlights of the event was a high-level industry-academic policy panel, featuring representatives from Erinite Energy, Elleyhill Power, Isondo Precious Metals, the Gauteng Infrastructure Financing Agency (GIFA), and ICES. This panel explored the barriers and enablers of sustainable energy deployment across Africa, with a particular focus on financing mechanisms, policy frameworks, and workforce development. Panelists emphasized the urgent need for African countries to invest in locally adapted energy technologies, accelerate knowledge transfer, and foster youth and women participation in energy innovation.

Beyond academic engagement, AfrSuEnS served as a platform for building enduring partnerships between universities, public institutions, and private sector players committed to Africa’s sustainable energy transition. Attendees left with renewed energy to accelerate the adoption of renewable and low-carbon technologies, recognizing that the continent’s development is intrinsically linked to clean, reliable, and inclusive energy access.

The successful hosting of this inaugural symposium marks a significant milestone for ICES and UNISA in shaping the discourse on energy security and sustainability in Africa. As a catalyst for innovation, ICES remains committed to fostering collaborative research, nurturing talent, and translating scientific discoveries into real-world energy solutions for the benefit of communities across South Africa and the continent.

Group photo of all the participants during the gala dinner