On 8 October 2026, the 19th ESEIA Lecture, Energy System Modelling for Green Africa, will bring together experts from the EMERGE project to explore how energy system modelling can support sustainable energy transitions in African contexts. The online lecture is co-organised by project partner ESEIA and TU Graz in connection with the EMERGE project.

The programme places EMERGE expertise at the centre of the discussion. Nanko Madu, Director of Programmes at AfriLabs, Nigeria, will deliver the invited lecture, followed by a first response from Charles Diarra, ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), Cabo Verde, and a second response from Goran Krajačić, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, Croatia.

Energy system modelling is at the core of EMERGE, developing a set of modelling tools and a Knowledge Base designed to help policymakers, researchers, investors and other stakeholders assess pathways towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.

Rather than applying a single model across very different contexts, EMERGE combines technical analysis with economic, environmental and social considerations and places strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and co-design. Its tools are being developed and tested around African energy-transition challenges, with project activities covering Morocco, Mali and Mozambique and broader cooperation across African and European partner networks.

This approach is particularly important because energy models only become useful for decision-making when they reflect local conditions, available resources, infrastructure constraints and policy priorities. EMERGE therefore combines modelling with stakeholder consultation, policy analysis, pilot demonstrations and knowledge exchange between African and European partners.

Through the invited lecture, Nanko Madu will bring the perspective of AfriLabs and Africa’s innovation ecosystem into the discussion. AfriLabs connects innovation hubs and stakeholders across the continent and contributes to EMERGE’s work on knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement and the uptake of sustainable energy solutions.

The first response, from Charles Diarra of ECREEE, adds the regional energy-policy perspective. ECREEE works to create enabling conditions for renewable energy and energy-efficiency markets in West Africa and is directly involved in EMERGE activities related to energy planning, policy and pilot implementation.

The second response, from Goran Krajačić of the University of Zagreb, brings the energy-system research and modelling perspective. The University of Zagreb coordinates EMERGE and leads key work on the project’s Knowledge Base, engagement methodology and modelling framework.

Together, the three contributions will connect innovation, policy and modelling around a common question: how can energy system analysis better support Africa’s transition towards sustainable, resilient and locally appropriate energy systems?

The 19th ESEIA Lecture is part of the ESEIA Lecture Series and will take place online on 8 October 2026, 19.00-21.00 CET. Registration is open: https://www.cognitoforms.com/Eseia1/ESEIALectureSeries19thLecture

Learn more about ESEIA Lecture Series: https://eseia.eu/education-and-training-eseia-lecture-series/