Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has solidified its role as a premier continental think tank by entering into a strategic partnership with the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD).
This collaboration, announced at the conclusion of the 2026 Mining Indaba, is designed to provide critical institutional support for the rollout of the African Minerals Development Center (AMDC) Afro-Hackathon initiative.
“We entered into a strategic partnership with the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD to support the rollout of The African Minerals Development Center -AMDC’s Afro-Hackathon initiative. This initiative is aligned with the African Mining Vision, which seeks to leverage Africa’s mineral resources to drive broad-based, inclusive, and sustainable development across the continent.”
ACEP
By aligning with the African Mining Vision, the partnership focuses on transforming the continent’s vast mineral endowments from raw exports into drivers of inclusive, sustainable, and broad-based economic growth.
Building on the momentum of the Continental Extractive Industries Programme (CEIPS), the partnership will deploy ACEP’s Innovation Challenge alongside a network of regional innovation hubs, including the UNDP-supported Timbuktu MineTech Hub and various University Innovation Pods (UNiPods).
These entities are tasked with pioneering projects specifically centered on lithium-ion battery technologies, aiming to position Africa at the forefront of the global green energy transition.
By strengthening the technical and innovative capabilities of local enterprises, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between resource extraction and high-value manufacturing.
Scaling Local Innovation and Value Addition
The core of this partnership lies in its ability to “showcase and strengthen the capabilities of local enterprises” through a competitive, innovation-led framework.
By targeting lithium-ion battery technology, ACEP and AUDA-NEPAD are addressing the critical need for mineral beneficiation the process of improving the economic value of ore right on African soil.
This shift is essential for reducing the continent’s reliance on volatile global commodity markets and ensuring that the “propulsive local and regional economic linkages” envisioned by the AMV become a reality for local communities and domestic industries.
Strengthening the Extractive Ecosystem Through CEIPS
This strategic alliance is a cornerstone for the Continental Extractive Industries Programme (CEIPS), providing a structured pathway for academic institutions and tech hubs to influence policy.
By integrating the Afro-Hackathon into the broader CEIPS framework, the partners are creating a “knowledge-driven African mining sector” that fosters regional integration.
The use of regional innovation hubs ensures that technological advancements are not siloed but are shared across borders, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by developing a pipeline of investment-ready projects that meet high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Securing Africa’s Position in the Global Energy Transition
Through the lens of “anticipatory governance,” this partnership enhances Africa’s mineral benefits by proactively preparing the workforce and private sector for the demands of the future.
As the global demand for “green minerals” surges, the collaborative effort between Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) and NEPAD ensures that Africa does not remain a mere spectator or supplier.
Instead, by leveraging lithium and other transition minerals through the Afro-Hackathon, the continent is building the intellectual and industrial infrastructure necessary to lead in the assembly and maintenance of renewable energy technologies, thereby securing long-term economic sovereignty.
