The 2025/6 thesis lab will focus on the following core themes: (i) Waste management in cities, (ii) Carbon dioxide removal technologies and (iii) Clean energy transitions.
Theme 1: Waste Management in Cities
Across the Global South, and particularly in many African cities, rapid urbanization, population growth and changing consumption patterns have intensified the strain on waste management systems. Inadequate infrastructure, limited institutional capacity and growing informal settlements have made it difficult to keep pace with rising volumes of urban waste, resulting in environmental pollution, public health concerns and increased vulnerability among low-income communities. Nairobi generates approximately 2,400 tons of waste daily, yet only 38% is collected and less than 10% recycled. The rest is either informally reused, dumped illegally, or ends up in rivers, roadsides, and open spaces—particularly within informal settlements. These areas often lack access to formal waste management services, leaving residents to rely on under-resourced informal systems, revealing systemic governance failures, livelihood vulnerabilities of informal waste work, creation of pollution hotspots and other challenges.
Theme 2: Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Technologies
Our planet’s urgent need to limit global warming has driven unprecedented efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some argue that an aggressive decarbonization trajectory will not be enough to stabilize the climate; we must also actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a suite of biological and technical Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) approaches. Sub-Saharan Africa—endowed with abundant land, solar and geothermal resources, and rich biomass—is perceived as having immense potential for CDR deployment. At the same time, nascent regulatory frameworks, financing gaps, technological uncertainties, and questions around social and environmental justice create a complex landscape for scaling CDR in the region.
Theme 3: Clean Energy Transitions
Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy remains a significant challenge in many low-income urban areas. Households in informal settlements of Nairobi largely depend on traditional fuels such as charcoal, firewood and kerosene- that are not only inefficient and costly but also detrimental to human health, air quality and the environment. Charcoal production and consumption have far-reaching impacts on deforestation, carbon emissions and public health.
More details on the topics/challenges and possible research questions will be provided in the promotional booklet, which will be published here when application opens on September 15th!
Main Challenge
How can Nairobi and Kenya accelerate just and sustainable urban and energy transitions – through inclusive waste management, scalable carbon removal strategies, and equitable clean energy solutions – while engaging local communities, policymakers, and practitioners?
Caseholders
Nuvoni Centre for Innovation Research is an independent academic research firm based in Nairobi, Kenya. Their mission is to undertake research on science, technology and innovation and its role in fostering inclusive development in Africa. Their current focus areas are energy, technology and innovation management and urban development.
The African Studies Centre Leiden is an interfaculty institute of Leiden University that undertakes research and is involved in teaching about Africa and aims to promote a better understanding of and insight into historical, current and future developments in Africa. It has an excellent library (open to the general public).
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