On December 14, 2024, CSEA hosted a special delegation from the State of California, led by Dr. Toks Omishakin, Secretary of Transportation for the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), alongside Dr. Aditya Ramji, University of California Davis Institute of Transportation Technology, and Giles F. Giovinazzi,Senior Advisor, California State Transportation Agency.

The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations in areas such as infrastructure development, economic growth, and the transfer of knowledge and skills, with an emphasis on renewable energy, energy transition, climate change, economic development, and the creative economy.

During the visit, Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, Executive Director of CSEA, and the CSEA team provided valuable insights into the organization's work on climate financing, energy, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA highlighting areas where there may be opportunities for collaboration.

The discussions also focused on fostering partnerships, building capacity, and initiating development projects to further strengthen these areas in Nigeria.

Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena participated in the 2024 Africa Policy Circle Conference, held at Ufulu Gardens in Lilongwe, Malawi, on December 10-11, 2024. The conference, supported by, konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung-Political Dialogue for Sub-Saharan Africa (KAS PolDiSSA), brought together experts and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the opportunities and challenges under the theme ‘South Africa G20 Presidency: Steering Digital Rights, Inclusion, and Anti-Corruption Efforts’.

As South Africa takes on the G20 Presidency, the conference recognized the significance of this moment for Africa. With the African Union now included in the G20, there is a unique opportunity to amplify African voices and advocate for the continent's collective interests.

The event featured several sessions of meaningful discussions and knowledge-sharing aimed at promoting digital rights inclusion, combating corruption, and fostering a more equitable and sustainable development trajectory for Africa.

Development Gateway (DG) hosted a four-day workshop from December 3rd to 6th, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together representatives of DG and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA). The aim was to analyze first-year operations, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and set goals for the second year, 2025. Roles and responsibilities for the first year of TCDI 2.0 were covered, as well as technical improvements, the tobacco control landscape, and AfCFTA compliance. The program emphasized teamwork and provided technical clarifications to assist with requirement writing and other activities.

Each day of the event had a distinct focus. Day 2 covered comments on the first year, with the CSEA team discussing challenges and growth while the DG team showcased their communication approach. Day 3 focused on stakeholder engagement, emphasizing tailored communication strategies and informing participants about the seventh country selection process and study methodology. The final day was dedicated to survey methods, research guides, and activity planning for 2025. Participants gained a greater understanding of their duties, communication skills, teamwork, and constructive criticism, as well as identifying challenges such as delayed responses, effective use of tools like Paperpile, translation concerns, and discovering reputable references.

CSEA hosted the launch of the book "Empowering Nigeria's Energy Revolution" on December 3, 2024. The event focused on exploring the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria's energy sector.

The author, Winifred Owunna, shared her experiences and motivation for writing the book. She highlighted the importance of data, innovation, and policy reforms in addressing energy challenges. 

The fireside chat, moderated by Chinenye Uwanmaka, featured discussions on the book's content, the challenges in the sector, and potential solutions. Panelists from AEDC, NERC, CSEA, and renewable energy companies shared their insights, emphasizing the need for accurate data, targeted investments, and consumer education. 

The discussion also touched on the importance of renewable energy, addressing energy theft, and the role of subsidies. The event provided a platform for engaging discussions and actionable insights to address Nigeria's energy challenges.

In 2024, the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA), collaborated with On Think Tanks on the State of the Sector 2024 Report, which offers an in-depth analysis of the global think tank landscape. Drawing from the perspectives of nearly 300 organizations across 95 countries, the report provides valuable insights into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping think tanks worldwide.

The report examines five key dimensions influencing the sector:  i) The diverse think tank landscape across regions ; ii) Varied political contexts influencing operations ; iii) Major divides in funding models  iv) Research priorities focused on policy and governance  and v) Emerging challenges in capacity, tech adoption, and AI .

CSEA contributed to this year’s report, offering regional insights that add depth to the global analysis.  

Explore the full report: http://onthinktanks.org/SOS2024