Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation

Energy transition

This research stream approaches the issue of energy transition in Africa from a perspective in which energy and industry are fully integrated and looks for feasible opportunities to realise green industrialisation in Africa. Key focuses of this research stream are the opportunities offered by Green Hydrogen and the analysis of the growth potential for energy business in Africa.

Critical minerals

This research stream focuses on how African economies should manage the relationships with international mining companies in a way that promotes socio-economic development. In particular, it investigates how industrial policy can be used in order to develop new sectors that are related to mining, such as mineral processing, mining equipment, batteries, and energy storage. 

Restructuring of supply chains

This research stream focuses on the emerging new geography of production and the extent to which this re-organisation will open or close opportunities for sustainable structural transformation in Africa. A key focus of the research is on how supply networks should – and can – be re-organised and developed for development of mobility- and energy-related industries in Africa. 

Infrastructure development

This research stream focuses on both the demand opportunities, which a new built environment offer for sustainable industrialisation, and on the forms of sustainable spatial planning that are fit for African countries. A key focus of this research stream is the analysis of how government and private sector can cooperate with each other in building the infrastructure for sustainable energy system and mobility system.

Industrial policy

This research stream focuses on how governments can reshape industries and create markets, coordinate activities between relevant economic actors, build productive coalitions, and, through all these, direct the economy towards sustainable prosperity. A key focus of this research is the analysis of how Reciprocal Control and Commitment Mechanisms (RCCMs) – with their conditionalities, performance standards and discipling mechanisms – should be used in order to increase the effectiveness and the transformative impact of industrial policy.

Business models

This research streams focuses on understanding why and how new business models are emerging and the extent to which innovation in business models, including in the area of venture capital investments, can promote sustainable structural transformation in Africa. The research will look at both the indigenous innovation in business models, represented by diversified business groups and other emerging businesses, as well as the ways in which large international corporations are approaching investments in the continent. 

• Working Paper 003, Minerals, Energy-Intensive Industries and Development: Green Transition and Employment in Southern Africa 
• Working Paper 002, Energising Africa: Current Landscape and Path to Renewable Energy
• Working Paper 001, Powering Ahead or Falling Behind: Can developing Countries Build a Just and Sustainable Energy Future on Warming Planet?

CSST has secured 5-year funding from Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), to support its core team. The Centre has also secured funding from HMG to conduct contract research in its core research streams. CSST will also collaborate with the HMG Business Intelligence Institute in strategic research areas of common interest, including exchanging and hosting visiting researchers.

CSST has secured a 2-year donation from TLCOM Capital to support research on the drivers of value generation in the African Venture Capital Industry.

CSST will also collaborate with TLCOM Capital, a leading venture capital firm with a significant portfolio in Africa. Through this collaboration, CSST will be able to access data and case studies on specific markets and verticals and leverage industry expertise.

CSST works with Gatsby Africa in capacity building and the development of a sectoral identification methodology for productive investments, with a focus on Tanzania and the broader Eastern Africa Community (specifically, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda).