By Dominic Hlordzi
The Africa Sustainable Energy Centre (ASEC) has been named Energy Think Tank of the Year at the 9th Ghana Energy Awards, earning national recognition for its bold leadership in shaping energy policy, promoting climate-smart solutions, and advancing data-driven research to support a sustainable energy future for Africa.
The prestigious award was presented at a colourful ceremony at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
The honour caps a transformative year for ASEC, which has emerged as one of the continent’s most influential voices on clean energy transition, energy access, climate action, and innovation. (added a comma before “and innovation”)
In 2025, ASEC convened one of Africa’s largest and most impactful energy gatherings—the Africa Sustainable Energy Dialogue (ASED)—under the theme “Bridging the Energy Access Gap in Africa.”
The event drew high-level participation from APPO, UBA Ghana, Cenpower, the Energy Commission of Ghana, AfDB, the World Energy Council, and the Energy Society of South Africa.
The dialogue sparked new partnerships and produced actionable frameworks to accelerate universal energy access.
ASEC also stepped onto the global stage during World Energy Week 2025 in Panama, hosting a side event themed “Wiser and Smarter Power Shifts: From Blind Spots to Bright Spots.”
Featuring keynote insights from Burns & McDonnell and expert contributions from Deloitte and the Ministry of Energy & Green Transition, the session explored how Africa can responsibly manage surging power demand amid the rise of data centres and artificial intelligence.
To strengthen Africa’s participation in the digital energy revolution, ASEC launched its pioneering AI for Africa Workshop.
The programme sparked collaboration among policymakers, technologists, and researchers on how artificial intelligence can enhance energy planning, forecasting, system optimisation, and policy design across the continent.
ASEC further deepened its investment in young talent through the ASEC Impact Fellowship, training more than 100 graduates and early-career professionals in sustainable energy.
The Fellowship equips participants with practical skills, leadership abilities, and research exposure—preparing the next generation to champion Africa’s clean energy agenda.
This year, ASEC launched the ASEC Energy Review, a new analytics platform delivering data-driven insights on Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
The centre also strengthened public engagement through extensive media outreach, expert commentary, and stakeholder dialogues on national energy priorities.
ASEC’s most ambitious research effort, the ASEC Energy Outlook, was unveiled as the continent’s most comprehensive African-led review of energy, climate, and sustainability trends.
Covering all 54 African countries and nine thematic frameworks—including renewable energy, e-mobility, hydrogen, CCUS, clean cooking, and climate resilience—the Outlook identifies investment hotspots and strategic opportunities for green industrialisation. (added a comma before “and climate resilience”)
It serves as a critical tool supporting Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
ASEC additionally contributed to international policy discussions through key interventions at global forums, including its high-level engagement at World Energy Week in Panama.
In partnership with the World Energy Council and the Energy Council of South Africa, ASEC co-hosted the Global Grid Expansion Dialogue Series, exploring continental strategies for expanding transmission infrastructure, reforming electricity markets, and attracting private-sector investment.
These achievements collectively highlight ASEC’s expanding influence in shaping a just, inclusive, and future-ready energy ecosystem for Africa. (added a comma before “and future-ready”)
The Energy Think Tank of the Year award affirms ASEC’s role as an independent, evidence-based institution committed to analysing, advising, and advancing strategic energy policy for Ghana and the continent.
