About African Energy Research
A pan-African research initiative building grounded, evidence-based understanding of Africa's energy systems.
Our Purpose
African Energy Research (AER) exists to produce honest, technically informed, and accessible research on Africa's energy systems. Africa's energy sector is large, diverse, fast-changing and poorly documented in comparable terms. AER's purpose is to close parts of that gap, one clearly scoped output at a time.
The initiative is not driven by policy advocacy, corporate objectives or donor agendas. Its outputs reflect what the evidence shows and are explicit about what is uncertain.
AER is structured as an open initiative — not a consulting firm, not a think tank with a policy position, and not an advocacy organisation. The work is research and the outputs are research outputs.
Neutrality First
Analysis follows evidence. No stakeholder shapes conclusions.
Volunteer-Driven
Organised around African professionals giving time to structured research.
Open Access
Most outputs are published free to access and share.
Pan-African Scope
Research covers all 54 African countries, not just the largest markets.
How AER Produces Research
AER research is structured, scoped and attributed. It is not commentary or advocacy dressed as analysis.
Define the Question
Research begins with a clearly stated question or objective. Vague topics are narrowed to answerable questions before any research starts.
Assign and Brief Teams
Volunteer researchers or funded grantees are assigned to briefs. Scope, sources, format and timeline are agreed upfront.
Research and Draft
Teams conduct desk research, data analysis and, where relevant, expert interviews. Drafts are shared with the coordination team.
Editorial Review
Outputs are reviewed for factual accuracy, clarity and compliance with AER's neutrality and transparency standards.
Publish & Attribute
Outputs are published with contributor names and a stated methods note. Where data is weak, outputs say so explicitly.
How AER Is Organised
AER operates with a small coordination team responsible for research prioritisation, volunteer management, editorial review and publication. Research outputs are produced by volunteers and funded grantees working to defined briefs.
There is no permanent institutional affiliation that creates obligations to a particular government, company or donor position. The initiative's governance model prioritises research integrity over institutional convenience.
For detailed methodology and neutrality rules, see the Methodology & Neutrality page.
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Coordination Team
Sets research priorities, manages volunteers and owns editorial review.
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Thematic Leads
Members with deep expertise who guide specific themes and briefs.
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Volunteer Researchers
Professionals and students executing defined research tasks.
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Funded Grantees
Graduate and project-based researchers supported under AER grants.
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Partner Organisations
Institutions that collaborate, contribute data, or co-commission studies.
Join the AER Research Community
Volunteer, apply for funding, or propose a partnership.