Energy transition
This research stream approaches the issue of energy transition in Africa from a perspective in which energy and industry are fully integrated and looks for feasible opportunities to realise green industrialisation in Africa. Key focuses of this research stream are the opportunities offered by Green Hydrogen and the analysis of the growth potential for energy business in Africa.
Critical minerals
This research stream focuses on how African economies should manage the relationships with international mining companies in a way that promotes socio-economic development. In particular, it investigates how industrial policy can be used in order to develop new sectors that are related to mining, such as mineral processing, mining equipment, batteries, and energy storage.
Restructuring of supply chains
This research stream focuses on the emerging new geography of production and the extent to which this re-organisation will open or close opportunities for sustainable structural transformation in Africa. A key focus of the research is on how supply networks should – and can – be re-organised and developed for development of mobility- and energy-related industries in Africa.
Infrastructure development
This research stream focuses on both the demand opportunities, which a new built environment offer for sustainable industrialisation, and on the forms of sustainable spatial planning that are fit for African countries.
A key focus of this research stream is the analysis of how government and private sector can cooperate with each other in building the infrastructure for sustainable energy system and mobility system.
Industrial policy
This research stream focuses on how governments can reshape industries and create markets, coordinate activities between relevant economic actors, build productive coalitions, and, through all these, direct the economy towards sustainable prosperity.
A key focus of this research is the analysis of how Reciprocal Control and Commitment Mechanisms (RCCMs) – with their conditionalities, performance standards and discipling mechanisms – should be used in order to increase the effectiveness and the transformative impact of industrial policy.
Business models
This research streams focuses on understanding why and how new business models are emerging and the extent to which innovation in business models, including in the area of venture capital investments, can promote sustainable structural transformation in Africa.
The research will look at both the indigenous innovation in business models, represented by diversified business groups and other emerging businesses, as well as the ways in which large international corporations are approaching investments in the continent.
Venture capital
This research stream focuses on understanding how the functioning and composition of venture capital funds impact the outcome of the VC-backed companies before their exits. It will examine aspects such as innovation, new market creation, and restructuring broken verticals while identifying the barriers and drivers contributing to successful tech startup exits in African countries.
Additionally, this research will look at the decision-making processes of venture capitalists in supporting value generation within the industrial ecosystem, as well as the key factors that define successful unicorns in Africa, which are essential for fostering a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem on the continent.
