11th May 2026
By Peace Ahovi
WASCAL continues to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its alumni globally. This is once again evident, as the Doctoral Programme on Climate Change and Biodiversity hosted at Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny records another remarkable success story in the history of WASCAL.
Dr Ghafi Kondi Akara, a distinguished WASCAL alumna, has been selected among five global recipients of the highly prestigious OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards.
This internationally recognised award honours early-career women scientists from the Global South whose research contributes significantly to addressing critical sustainable development challenges. The award is jointly presented by the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World and the Elsevier Foundation.
Dr Ghafi Kondi Akara was recognised for her impactful scientific contributions in the field of sustainable energy, particularly in electricity demand modelling, renewable energy integration into energy systems, and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems within the energy sector. Her research actively supports the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which promotes universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.
By bridging scientific research, policy development, and community impact, Dr Akara’s work contributes meaningfully to Africa’s energy transition and climate resilience efforts. Her recognition reflects not only academic excellence but also a strong commitment to strengthening scientific capacity and supporting sustainable development across the continent.
This remarkable achievement represents a proud milestone for the WASCAL Côte d’Ivoire Graduate School and further highlights the growing global impact of African scientists in driving innovative solutions for climate and energy challenges.