A wave of bold ideas, shared visions, and climate commitments swept through Strathmore University as leading voices from Australia and Africa convened for a high-impact public lecture titled ‘Emerging Clean Energy Trends and Opportunities Across Australia and Africa.’ The event, jointly hosted by the Australian High Commission, Curtin University, and Strathmore University, marked a defining moment in 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Kenya.

In a continent where over 600 million people still lack access to reliable electricity, the gathering served as a crucial forum to discuss how clean energy partnerships can power up Africa’s future.

Opening the lecture, H.E. Jenny Da Rin, the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya, set the tone for the dialogue by drawing from Australia’s journey toward a net-zero economy.

“For Australia, the transition to a net-zero economy makes both environmental and economic sense. Wind and solar PV are already the cheapest forms of new electricity generation, and they are expected to dominate Australia’s renewable energy mix,” she noted.

But to attract the capital needed to sustain this transition, she stressed the importance of policies that create certainty and support long-term clean energy investment.

The High Commissioner lauded the growing partnership between Australian and African institutions, highlighting the collaboration between Strathmore and Curtin University on green hydrogen research as a model for future cooperation.

“We hope that we will also see more collaboration between Australia and Africa, including Kenya.  Through partnerships like the one established by Strathmore and Curtin on hydrogen, we see prospects to deepen engagement and collaboration, and foster knowledge exchange”.

Also speaking were Prof. Harlene Hayne, Vice Chancellor of Curtin University, and Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University, who reiterated their institutions’ commitment to driving sustainable energy education, research, and innovation.

Prof. Hayne underscored the critical importance of addressing climate change through global collaboration and the central role of higher education institutions in solving the world’s most pressing challenges.

“The climate crisis is a present and urgent priority for both Australia and Kenya. At Curtin University, we are proud to partner with Strathmore University on this vital mission,” she remarked.

She emphasized that meaningful and lasting solutions to climate change will come from knowledge-driven institutions.

“The only future is a sustainable future. Universities must lead the charge by accelerating research, mobilizing innovation, and sharing expertise across borders.”

Dr. Ogutu reflected on the significance of the growing partnership between Strathmore University, Curtin University, and the broader Australian community. He described the collaboration as a deeply enriching and mutually beneficial relationship grounded in shared academic values and a commitment to sustainability.

He reiterated Strathmore University’s focus on being an entrepreneurial institution, one that aids in the commercialisation of innovations and research.

“Strathmore was the first institution in Kenya to generate and feed solar energy into the national grid, demonstrating our leadership in sustainable energy,” said Dr. Ogutu

Looking ahead, Dr. Ogutu highlighted Strathmore’s latest frontier in clean energy: green hydrogen.

“How can we ensure that every person in our society has access to sufficient and sustainable energy? That is the challenge we are taking on, and we believe we can solve it through research, innovation, and partnerships.”

An expert panel featuring Wangari Muchiri (Global Wind Energy Council), Matthew Tilleard (Cross Boundary Group), Prof. Izael Da Silva (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, Strathmore University), Catherine Irura (SOWITEC Kenya), and moderator Georgie Ndirangu unpacked strategies to strengthen clean energy ecosystems through the Triple Helix Model, a collaboration framework between academia, industry, and government.

Panelists agreed that Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals and growing youth population present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead in clean energy innovation. However, achieving this potential requires building local expertise, accelerating technology transfers, and investing in policy frameworks that support equitable and resilient energy systems.

As the event, organised by the Strathmore UNESCO Chair on Climate Change Resilience and Sustainability, concluded, one resounding truth echoed through the hall. The future of energy depends on what we know and how we come together to act.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu