A lack of access to sufficient and sustainable energy supply affects much of the population in many Southern African countries. A majority of the population still depends on firewood and charcoal for cooking and hot water supply, which poses serious threats to economy, environment and health. The sector of renewable energies (RE) is regarded as one of the most promising sectors in the Southern African region and plays a key role when talking about sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation. Therefore, the increased use of renewable energies and the implementation of renewable energy technologies (RET) are seen as central vehicles to meet the increasing energy demands of a growing population and to provide sustainable energy access to rural areas. However, despite the enabling climatic factors in the target region, it is evident that RET are still facing many barriers that include lack of technical capacity and experienced professional workforce.

Therefore, access to scientifically based and applied knowledge is a central factor, and higher education institutions are key actors to combine the needs of the labor market with formal education. As a consequence, universities have to be strengthened in order to foster the creation of job opportunities and income generation in their respective countries.

This is the starting point for the Academic Initiative for Renewables (AIR) project that will focus on higher education in the field of RET with seven universities from Southern African countries and one German university.