{"id":9102,"date":"2026-05-26T10:28:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T07:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/?p=9102"},"modified":"2026-05-26T10:37:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T07:37:12","slug":"africas-twin-transition-makerere-conference-ends-with-a-call-for-inclusive-green-and-digital-futures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/africas-twin-transition-makerere-conference-ends-with-a-call-for-inclusive-green-and-digital-futures\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa\u2019s Twin Transition: Makerere Conference Ends with a Call for Inclusive Green and Digital Futures"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Makerere University has concluded a five-day international conference on Green and Digital Futures<\/em>, which brought together more than 40 researchers and practitioners from Africa, Europe, and North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, held from May 18\u201322, 2026, was organized under the Point Sud programme funded by the German Research Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Erfurt, Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discussions centered on how Africa can harness digital and green technologies to address pressing challenges such as poverty, unemployment and inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference underscored that Africa\u2019s twin transitions must be pursued jointly, with inclusion, infrastructure upgrades, skills training and collaboration at the center. Governments, universities and youth all have critical roles to ply in ensuring that digital and green futures contribute to sustainable development and resilience across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Green and Digital Futures?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conference convener Dr. Evans Awumi, from the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt and the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), explained the choice of theme. \u201cWe thought it was important to critically examine these two transformations in an African context. Digital and green transitions are often discussed separately, yet they intersect in areas such as infrastructure, jobs, and governance,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr Evans Awumi in an interview after the conference<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Awumi noted that Africa contributes little to global carbon emissions but still faces climate change consequences. He pointed out that technologies like AI demand significant energy, linking digital innovation directly to environmental concerns. \u201cBoth transitions raise questions of inclusion\u2014who benefits, who is left out, and whose voices matter,\u201d<\/em> he emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the conference outcomes, Dr. Awumi expressed satisfaction. \u201cTo a very large extent, our expectations were achieved. We wanted to kick-start the conversation, not end it. This workshop has opened the door for people to think about these two transformations jointly and not separately,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outputs and Next Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Awumi revealed that the conference will lead to tangible outputs. \u201cWe are hoping to publish a special issue on Africa\u2019s twin transitions and form a research network where scholars and policymakers can continue these discussions. Our main objective of starting the conversation has been achieved,\u201d<\/em> he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Awumi noted that inclusion and inequality was at the centerof every presentation and discussions. \u201cBoth technologies are changing our world, and some people are going to benefit while others are going to lose. The key question is: how do we make sure the transformation is inclusive?\u201d<\/em> Dr. Awumi asked. He stressed that disadvantaged groups risk being left behind without deliberate efforts to carry them along, whether in AI adoption or access to green jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governments Must Act<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Awumi urged governments to recognize that these transformations are permanent. \u201cDigital transformation is here whether we like it or not. Governments must upgrade infrastructure, provide skills training, and establish regulatory frameworks. Otherwise, exclusion could have political consequences,\u201d<\/em> he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some of the delegats at the conference<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the green side, he stressed the importance of human capital. \u201cAfrica has mineral resources, yes, but the real resource is human. Green jobs will replace carbon-intensive ones, and governments must invest in training to prepare the workforce,\u201d<\/em> he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universities as Drivers of Change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Universities were called upon to continue researching both transitions jointly. \u201cGovernments need to fund research strategically in both green and digital spaces. Most research is funded by international organizations, but African governments must invest to create enabling environments for scholars,\u201d<\/em> Dr. Awumi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He commended  Uganda\u2019s  flagship research fund, MakRIF, and  suggested it should be used to identify successful cases of digitalization and green initiatives. \u201cAcademia must research more on what works and what fails. This will inform future strategies on these transformations,\u201d<\/em> he advised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Youth Must Not Be Left Behind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Awumi emphasized that Africa\u2019s youth cannot be excluded. \u201cAfrica is a very young continent. I encourage young people to learn as much as they can from both transitions, especially digital technologies like AI. This will create opportunities to build our own solutions,\u201d<\/em> he said. He also raised concerns about data colonialism, urging investment in Africa\u2019s own digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Andame Kane R interacting with a nother delegate after the coference<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Voices from Participants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants echoed these themes in their reflections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wanjiru Catherine Njeri, University of Leipzig, Germany<\/strong>, praised the conference\u2019s organization and logistics, noting: \u201cThe future is digital, and that\u2019s where we must focus. There\u2019s no going back.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adama Kane, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Senegal<\/strong>, a climate change economics researcher, highlighted the importance of resilience. \u201cI learned a lot about how we can build a greener and more resilient Africa. I also discovered new AI tools for my research and met many colleagues,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edwin Ambani-Ameso, University of Copenhagen<\/strong>, emphasized the importance of African voices. \u201cThe conference reaffirmed the need to discuss digital technologies and green futures from an African perspective. Communication and collaboration\u2014both global and South-South\u2014are essential,\u201d<\/em> he said. He encouraged Makerere University to continue hosting such events and expand collaborations with local universities, while also involving grassroots actors to contextualize technologies for everyday people. \u201cThese conferences harmonize African knowledge creation and ensure our voices are heard,\u201d<\/em> he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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