African Energy Futures (AEF) invites research institutions, think tanks, policymakers, and partners across the continent to join the official launch of its Call for Proposals to host an African-based Energy Research Hub. The launch event will take place on 3 December 2025, from 14:00 to 16:00 Central African Time, and will outline the structure, purpose, and application process for this landmark opportunity. About the Launch Event This virtual launch will introduce the first continent-wide opportunity for African institutions to compete for a million-dollar grant to establish or strengthen an in-country energy research hub. These hubs will play a central role in shaping energy policy, driving investment, and supporting Africa’s long-term energy transition. The event is designed primarily for: Research institutions and universities Independent policy think tanks Public research agencies Policymakers engaged in national energy planning Technical partners and organisations aligned with AEF’s mission Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the funding opportunity, application process, and expectations for host institutions. About the African Energy Futures Initiative African Energy Futures, supported generously by the Rockefeller Foundation, is dedicated to expanding Africa’s capacity for locally grounded energy and economic research. The initiative aims to strengthen African-led solutions by ensuring research is informed by real socio-economic, political, and environmental contexts. The Energy Research Hubs are intended to: Generate robust, evidence-based research on energy systems Cultivate the next generation of African energy researchers Bring together multidisciplinary experts across sectors Support policymakers with trusted technical insights Drive investment and innovation in national energy systems Contribute to continental collaboration through the AEF network Over time, these hubs will form a coordinated ecosystem that shares knowledge, connects institutions, and raises Africa’s influence on global energy debates. Purpose of the Call for Proposals AEF is launching a two-step Call for Proposals, aimed at African-based institutions capable of hosting an energy research hub in their country. The launch event will provide detailed guidance on: Eligibility criteria Required qualifications for host institutions Evaluation criteria for proposals Expectations for research, training, and collaboration Application timelines and submission procedures Bid documents will be made available on the AEF website immediately following the launch event. Why Institutions Should Participate Selected institutions will receive a substantial grant intended to support the establishment or expansion of a national energy research hub. The funding will enable host institutions to: Build or strengthen technical research capacity Train emerging researchers through fellowships and mentorship Engage policymakers with actionable analysis Lead collaborative research on energy systems, economic diversification, and investment pathways Position themselves as key national and regional thought leaders This opportunity is designed to ensure African institutions become the drivers of Africa’s energy future, rather than passive recipients of externally generated knowledge. Who Should Attend the Launch The event is tailored for: Universities with energy, economics, development, or engineering departments Independent African policy centres Government-affiliated research institutions Organisations exploring partnerships in energy research National policymakers seeking trusted local research teams The session will also be valuable to development partners, donor agencies, private-sector actors, and civil society organisations engaged in energy transition work. Event Details Date: 3 December 2025Time: 14:00–16:00 Central African TimeFormat: Online webinarTarget Audience: African-based research institutions, policymakers, partners Participants will hear from informative speakers and technical experts, who will explain the purpose of the call and guidance for those interested in hosting a hub. How to Register Interested participants can register for the launch event through the online platform provided in the invitation. The registration form will request: First and last name Email address City and country Organisation and job title Type of organisation Newsletter subscription preference Registrants’ information will be shared with the event organisers and managed according to their privacy policies. Institutions may also register their interest in hosting a hub or sign up for updates via the AEF website: www.africanenergyfutures.org VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.