Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa, Kenya (inside the Tsavo West National Park)
The Kenyan-German Centre of Excellence for Mining, Environmental Engineering and Resource Management (CEMEREM) was launched in 2016, becoming the eighth centre of its kind in Africa, being the first one with an engineering orientation. CEMEREM is part of the growing network of Centres of African Excellence supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Taita Taveta University (TTU), Kenya’s university of mining and natural resource management, is the local host institution for CEMEREM. TTU collaborates with two German universities on the CEMEREM project: the University of Applied Sciences at Dresden (HTW-Dresden) and the Technical University Bergakademie, Freiberg (TU-BAF). CEMEREM focuses on advancing training and providing practice-oriented resources for engineers and managers in Eastern Africa, a region rich in natural resources with significant untapped potential in the mineral, oil, and gas sectors. Postgraduate training, industry collaboration, and international exposure are key components of this initiative. Since 2018, DAAD/CEMEREM in-region scholarships have supported Master and Doctoral studies at Taita Taveta University for East African students.
Additionally, biennial international conferences, co-organized by CEMEREM and hosted by Taita Taveta University, have been instrumental in achieving the initiative goals. The conference, attracting around 300 participants, has been held at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi (2017), Voi Wildlife Safari Lodge in Taita Taveta (2019), Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa in Taita Taveta (2021), and Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa (2023).
Taita Taveta University (TTU), known as the “Home of Ideas,” is ideally located just eight (8) kilometres from Voi town, off the Voi-Mwatate Road, providing a serene environment perfect for academic pursuits. The university is easily accessible via a well-maintained tarmac road leading directly to its main gate. Voi town, with its efficient multimodal transport system, connects TTU to the cities of Nairobi and Mombasa. The town’s modern train station, just ten minutes from the University, allows for a quick four (4)-hour journey from Nairobi and less than two (2) hours from Mombasa. Additionally, the Nairobi-Mombasa highway (A104) provides a convenient road connection, with the drive from Nairobi taking under six (6) hours. For those who prefer air travel, Voi Airstrip is only five (5) kilometres from the town centre. Situated in a mineral-rich county that borders Tanzania to the south, Voi is the most cosmopolitan, populous, and urbanized town in Taita Taveta County.
Taita Taveta University (TTU) is excited to host the 5th CEMEREM Biennial International Conference in 2025, bringing together a diverse community of researchers, academia, policymakers, postgraduate students and industry representatives. The 2025 conference marks the end of the ten-years generous support of the CEMEREM project by DAAD. It, therefore, will offer an opportunity to highlight the challenges and achievements of this long-term initiative of co-operation in education, research, technology development and community engagement. Participants will have multiple opportunities to inform themselves about CEMEREM objectives, project tasks, study programmes, PhD and research activities and installed laboratories. Not in the least will they meet many of the people who made CEMEREM happen.
At the end of this CEMEREM sponsored stage, the conference will provide an outlook into the future and highlight the role of CEMEREM and TTU in shaping sustainable natural resources management in Africa.
Set against the breathtaking scenery of Tsavo West National Park at the Taita Hills Safari Resort & Spa, the event will take place from September 30th to 1st October, 2025, with pre-conference training scheduled for September 28th to 29th September, 2025. The pre-conference will offer training for a limited number of participants. The conference will feature keynotes, exhibitions from industry and academia, well-researched presentations, and interactive discussions through plenary sessions, break-out sessions, and panel discussions. In addition, a Young Scientists Contest will spotlight innovative ideas for ground-breaking projects through three-minute Lightning Talks.
Short sessions (modules) not exceeding three hours will be dedicated to intensive training of participants on (i) energy modelling, (ii) environmental engineering and (iii) sustainability in mining. Depending on the interests of applicants, these subjects may be adapted and/or modified. Interested applicants should contact the Conference Secretariat via dicksonwachira@ttu.ac.ke with a copy to cemerem@ttu.ac.ke for further details.
Theme:
“CEMEREM AT 10”
Natural Resource Management in Africa’s Primary Natural Resource Sector: Technology and Innovations for a Sustainable Future
In the evolving landscape of global resource management, Africa stands at a critical juncture. The continent is endowed with vast mineral resources, including critical minerals that are essential for the advancement of modern technologies and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). However, the challenge remains in harnessing these resources sustainably to foster economic growth, social equity, and environmental stewardship.
The 2025 conference theme, “Natural Resource Management in Africa’s Primary Sector: Technology and Innovations for a Sustainable Future,” aims to explore the pivotal role that cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices play in shaping the future of Africa’s natural resources management. The focus is on how technology and innovation can drive sustainable development, improve resource efficiency, and address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and socio-economic disparities.
Key areas of discussion will include the integration of advanced technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain in mining operations; innovations in waste management and resource recovery; and the development of policies and strategies that promote the responsible use of natural resources. The conference will also highlight the importance of fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the sector to ensure that the benefits of natural resource management are shared equitably across all communities.
By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, this conference seeks to chart a path toward a future where Africa’s rich natural resources are managed in a way that is not only economically viable but also environmentally and socially sustainable. Therefore, authors are requested to send abstracts by January 31st, 2025, addressing the conference theme under any of the following sub-themes:
All abstracts should follow the guidelines attached. Submitted abstracts will be peer reviewed.
Applicants will be informed of the outcomes of the review process not later than May 1st 2025. Full Papers must be submitted by July 1st 2025.
Authors will be given a chance to make either oral or poster presentations at the conference. All accepted submissions will be published in the Conference Book of Abstracts. After the conference, authors of promising presentations will be invited to submit full revised papers to be considered for publication in The African Journal of Mining, Entrepreneurship and Natural Resource Management (AJMENRM), a signature journal of CEMEREM.
Send abstracts to: abstracts@ttu.ac.ke
| Applicant | Fee |
| Local Paper Presenter | KES 3,000 |
| Local Exhibitor | KES 6,000 |
| Foreign Paper Presenter | USD 80 |
| Foreign Exhibitor | USD 100 |
| Non Presenting Participant | USD 200 |
| Applicant | Fee |
| Local Paper Presenter | KES 5,000 |
| Local Exhibitor | KES 8,000 |
| Foreign Paper Presenter | USD 100 |
| Foreign Exhibitor | USD 120 |
| Non Presenting Participant | USD 200 |
The Contest addresses young scientist and student researchers to develop innovative ideas for projects dealing with topics on the sustainable management of natural resources and be prepared to explain them in a three-minute presentation. A Contest Jury will award prizes for the best ideas from the viewpoint of originality, technical or practical feasibility and sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Conference Secretariat via dicksonwachira@ttu.ac.ke with a copy to cemerem@ttu.ac.ke for further details.
Adopt the following guidelines for the abstract.
Download the abstract guide here
Download the complete call document here
