
In the face of increasing global warming, ambitious climate targets have been set to limit the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The chemical and energy industries particularly require urgent transformation and replacement with more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative technologies and processes due to their heavy reliance on fossil fuels with a massive carbon footprint. The direct conversion of recycled CO2 into fuels and chemicals using renewable energies is a promising way to decrease net CO2 emissions. Africa is well placed to be a market leader in implementing solar to chemicals conversion technologies due to the seasonal abundance of sunshine and existing needs to scale-up energy supply and strengthen local sustainable chemical manufacturing capabilities.
On 4th November 2022, Kyambogo University in Uganda hosted the FlowPhotoChem 'Workshop on Innovations for a New Age of the Chemical Industry'.
The objectives of the workshop were to:
- explore the market readiness of the African public, businesses and enterprises to take up and commercialise FlowPhotoChem innovations, and
- serve as a networking platform for the European partners and African researchers and businesses to seek future collaborative projects that advance the conversion of sunlight and CO2 into chemicals and fuels.
In addition to presentations from researchers and industry, participants were joined by the Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Office of the President as Chief Guest and Hon. Eng. Dr. Irene Nafuna-Muloni who gave the Keynote about 'Incentivising the Uptake of New Innovations to Accelerate Uganda’s Green Energy Transition'.
The hybrid workshop was well attended with around 80 participants joining in person or online. Below, you can find a selection of videos and slides from the event.
Incentivizing the Uptake of New Innovations to Accelerate Uganda’s Green Energy Transition
Hon. Eng. Dr. Irene Nafuna-Muloni, Woman M.P. for the Bulambuli District

EU-Africa Cooperation and Mission Innovation
Dr. Philippe Schild, DG Research & Innovation, Clean Energy Transition

Concentrated solar light for the production of sustainable chemicals –Solar test facilities at the German Aerospace Center
Dr. Michael Wullenkord, German Aerospace Center