Analysis
The EMERGE project's stakeholder analysis is grounded in a mixed-methods approach combining an initial survey, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions. Workshops were held in all three pilot regions: Mozambique on 24 April 2024, Morocco on 25 May 2024, and Mali on 12 and 13 June 2024.
The survey covered six categories: Data collection, Energy markets, Regulatory and administrative and legal support, Infrastructure aspects, Methods and technical and financial tools, and Values and needs of citizens and communities on a social level. Together, these results provided the foundation for the project's Knowledge Base and engagement methodology.
Data Collection
Stakeholders across all three regions are similarly engaged in energy system modelling through research, consulting, and government initiatives. Data collection relies on a mix of government databases, public sources, and modern technologies such as IoT devices. Common challenges include limited data access, high costs, and reluctance from data suppliers. Morocco relies more on international databases such as RETScreen, while Mozambique and Mali depend more on localized data sources, reflecting differences in data infrastructure maturity.
Energy Markets
All three regions recognize the importance of incorporating market trends such as technological advancements, price fluctuations, and shifting consumer preferences into energy models. Stakeholders support integrating machine learning and real-time data for dynamic model calibration. Morocco appears more advanced in adopting these tools, while Mozambique and Mali face greater infrastructure and data maturity constraints.
Regulatory, Administrative and Legal Support
Clear regulatory processes for data acquisition and sharing, along with adequate funding mechanisms, were identified as essential across all regions. Common barriers include lengthy approval procedures, complex licensing requirements, and unclear guidelines for integrating renewable energy. Morocco emphasizes legal collaboration and transparency, Mozambique highlights data privacy concerns, and Mali points to licensing complexity as a key obstacle.
Infrastructure Aspects
High-performance computing, data management, collaborative platforms, and cybersecurity were identified as critical infrastructure needs across all regions, though priorities vary. Morocco prioritizes computing power and system integration, Mozambique emphasizes collaborative platforms, and Mali focuses on data storage and management. Shared challenges include inconsistent data formats, stakeholder coordination, and scalability.
Methods and Technical and Financial Tools
Optimization algorithms, financial modelling software, and simulation tools were consistently identified as essential across all regions. Software preferences vary by region: Morocco favors Plexos, HOMER Pro, EnergyPlus, and MATLAB/Simulink; Mozambique uses MAED, LEAP, FINPLAN, WASP, and SIMPACTS; and Mali relies on MAED, MESSAGE, HOMER Pro, and ESST. All regions anticipate growing impact from AI, machine learning, IoT, and blockchain technologies.
Social Values and Community Needs
Environmental sustainability, community engagement, and equitable energy access are shared priorities across all regions. Morocco places additional emphasis on energy resilience, while Mozambique and Mali emphasize community empowerment and participatory decision-making. Mozambique further highlights gender equity, while Mali emphasizes local economic development. All regions agree on the importance of community needs assessments, awareness programs, and accessible communication channels such as social media, radio, and public forums.
Key Lessons Learned
- Early and inclusive stakeholder mapping strengthens the legitimacy and applicability of project outcomes.
- Clear, tailored communication adapted to different audiences fosters genuine participation and mutual understanding.
- Trust and transparency are critical, with stakeholders engaging more actively when they see how their input shapes decisions.
- Balancing diversity of voices with structured, goal-oriented discussion is essential for generating concrete results.
- A structured and replicable methodology for identifying, classifying, and prioritizing stakeholders supports consistency and future reuse.
- Digital and hybrid engagement tools expand outreach but should be complemented by in-person interaction to sustain depth and trust.
- Strong internal coordination among consortium partners, with clear roles and regular communication, is necessary to align messaging and manage expectations.
- Continuous monitoring and documentation of what works allows engagement strategies to be adjusted and improved over time.
Conclusion
While stakeholders across Morocco, Mozambique, and the Niger River Basin in Mali share common goals such as environmental sustainability and social equity, the pathways to achieving these goals differ based on local conditions. A successful energy transition will depend on the ability of EMERGE's models and engagement strategies to adapt to the specific social, environmental, and economic context of each region, guided throughout by the Quadruple Helix framework.