Africa-Norway research produces 17 clean energy doctoral projects
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Mwananchi
A 20-year research partnership between African and Norwegian universities has helped develop renewable energy technologies, including solar cooking, and support 17 doctoral projects. The results were presented on 20 October 2026 in Unguja, Tanzania, at a meeting devoted to the NORHED II network, reports Mwananchi.
Twenty years of cooperation between African and Norwegian researchers on clean energy have led to the launch of 17 doctoral projects, the creation of joint study programmes and the opening of training centres at partner universities, according to Mwananchi. The results were presented on 20 October in Unguja, Tanzania, at an evaluation meeting of the NORHED II network, funded by the European Union.
The programme notably supported solar cooking, cold food preservation and electricity generation from abandoned water pumps. Joseph Kihedu, the project coordinator at the University of Dar es Salaam’s faculty of engineering and technology, said the research also covered hydropower and biomass.
The solar cookers designed by the teams can store heat for later use. The devices are adapted to locally consumed foods, including beans, ugali, rice and meat; an Ethiopian version is intended for preparing injera.
The technologies are being tested in real-world conditions, including in university restaurants, prisons and refugee camps. The researchers aim to reduce reliance on firewood and deforestation while contributing to public policies promoting clean cooking.
The cooperation includes the University of Dar es Salaam, Makerere University in Uganda, Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique, Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Institutions from Malawi and South Sudan also participate in the network, reports Mwananchi.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
