Windhoek: The Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL) on Tuesday hosted the third International Conference on Circular, Economy, Renewable Energies and Green Hydrogen in Africa (ICERA) in Windhoek. The ICERA 2025 conference aims to encourage discussion on the implementation of strategies that promote Africa's green transition to modern and sustainable energy sources.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Gaudentia Kr¶hne, highlighted the conference's focus on building capacity for individuals and exchanging expertise to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. 'We are gathered here with a shared purpose to build the capacity of participants by fostering the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices on the development of sustainable energy infrastructure, and the financing of green energy and circular economic initiatives,' Kr¶hne said. She emphasized that these initiatives are crucial to Africa's green energy transition and green industrialization goals.

Acting Executive Director of the Ministry of Environment, Timoteus Mufeti, added that the conference aims to advance circular economic strategies rooted in local realities, offering a path to reduce vulnerability and dependence. Mufeti pointed out challenges such as data gaps, limited skills, and the exclusion of informal sector innovators in the renewable energy sector. 'Transmission and energy access are hampered by outdated infrastructure [while] weak regulatory and institutional frameworks continue to slow the shift into a sustainable environment. Data gaps, limited skills and exclusion of informal sector innovators often stall large-scale progress,' he said.

Mufeti expressed hope that the knowledge, insights, and expertise shared at the conference would inspire accelerated ideas into tangible actions for bankable projects towards the circular economy, green energy transition, and green industrialization across the African continent.

General Manager of the National Commission on Research Science and Technology, Nhlanhla Lupahla, emphasized that renewable energy projects would minimize environmental degradation and reduce carbon emissions. The conference is set to conclude on Wednesday.

Source: Namibia Press Agency