Dr Jessica Thorn chairs the Africa Innovates Conference: New scientific and development frontiers

by Dr Jessica Thorn

University of Namibia and Imperial College London

On 15 July 2026, Imperial College London hosted Africa Innovates 2026, bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, industry representatives and civil society. Held at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, the conference provided a platform for collaboration across Africa-focused science, policy and education initiatives, while strengthening partnerships with organisations working across science, technology, engineering, medicine, health and business, environmental science and policy.

The conference was co-organised by Dr Jessica Thorn, Dr Onesmus Mwabonje, Dr Sunday Popo-Ola and Dr Tim Weiss, bringing together expertise from across Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Department of Management and Entrepreneurship. The programme featured four thematic sessions.

The first session was around “Building climate resilience”. Presentations ranged from climate smart water management to the urban heat island effect, forest carbon, nature-based solutions to the impact of conflict on environmental degradation, climate adaptation, sustainable food systems, environmental restoration, to the just transition and trade-offs of the carbon market. Research stemmed from places such as Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya.

The session on “Towards equitable partnerships” considered how institutions can move beyond conventional models of collaboration to develop more equitable and meaningful partnerships for Africa-focused research and innovation. We discussed opportunities for strategic collaboration, making meaningful international educational experiences, challenges encountered in university partnerships and professional development initiatives. Examples of transdisciplinary practice were provided from Imperial’s Global Ghana. Examples were given from work in Sierra Leone, Namibia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Nigeria.

The afternoon session on “Reimagining public health” featured discussion ranging from antimicrobial resistance, sickle cell genetic inheritance, infectious disease to the use of big data in Zimbabwe, experiences of families navigating sepsis treatment, governance of AI in Kenya and the implications of emerging digital technologies for policy and regulation.

The final thematic session, “Future proofing entrepreneurship and infrastructure”, highlighted the potential of entrepreneurship, e-mobility and decentralised energy systems to support inclusive socio-economic development. Presentations examined two- and three-wheeler e-mobility, mini-grids, community development and emerging business models across Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda.

The conference also provided space for early-career researchers and innovators through lightning talks, panel presentations and an entrepreneurship showcase. High school students hosted by the Black Inclusivity Catalyst also played a central role. The initiative was established by Imperial to drive greater participation in STEM and business within the Black community.

The day concluded with closing remarks followed by dinner and networking, providing an opportunity for participants to continue conversations initiated throughout the conference and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Looking ahead, by bringing together diverse perspectives across disciplines and sectors, Africa Innovates aims to contribute to a stronger ecosystem for research, innovation and knowledge exchange focused on Africa’s future. It emphasises research which equitable, locally grounded and oriented towards practical impact.

We would like to sincerely thank the Network of Excellence Fund, the Black Inclusivity Catalyst, Centre for Environmental Policy, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Department of Management and Entrepreneurship for supporting this initiative.