Renewable Energy
Solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and integration of distributed generation for access and utility-scale systems.
African Centre of Excellence · ACE II
About Us
ACE-ESD strengthens postgraduate education and research in energy for sustainable development across Eastern and Southern Africa, hosted at the University of Rwanda.
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ACE II
World Bank partnership -
120+40
MSc & PhD training targets -
UR-CST
Host college, Kigali -
3
Core academic focus areas
Who we are
A regional centre for energy education and research
The African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD) is established under the World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE II) initiative, in partnership with governments across the region.
Based at the University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology, the centre delivers interdisciplinary postgraduate programmes and applied research in smart and micro-grid technologies, electrical power systems, energy economics, and energy policy—with practical relevance for rural electrification and regional energy markets.
Why it matters
Energy access and skills for Africa’s future
Reliable, affordable energy underpins economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. In sub-Saharan Africa, hundreds of millions of people still lack adequate energy services, while the energy sector faces a shortage of advanced engineering and policy expertise.
ACE-ESD addresses this gap by graduating specialists who can design, govern, and innovate within power systems and energy markets—and by connecting university research with public utilities, regulators, industry, and development partners.
Vision & mission
A world-class hub for energy leadership
To build a world-class energy centre that serves as a regional hub for training African engineers, policymakers, and utility leaders—and for research that supports sustainable development.
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Research & training
Postgraduate programmes aligned with regional grid, access, and market priorities. -
Technology transfer
Bridging academia, industry, and rural communities through applied solutions. -
Policy & enterprise
Strengthening regulation, trade, and entrepreneurship in the energy sector.
ACE II objectives
What we deliver under the project
- National and regional capacity-building (MSc and PhD) for sustainable energy systems using local resources and appropriate technologies.
- Policy and monitoring skills for students, policymakers, and utility managers to support interconnected regional energy systems.
- Research, consultancy, and advisory services for public and private organisations at national, regional, and international levels.
- Stronger industry–academia collaboration in clean energy innovation and deployment.
- Development and transfer of energy technologies for sustainable development across the continent.
Programmes
Academic focus areas
Electrical Power Systems
Generation, transmission, distribution, protection, smart grids, and operation of modern power networks.
Energy Economics
Markets, regulation, finance, and investment analysis for utilities and energy sector transformation.