Sedikelo Wins 2026 Eni Award for Battery Research
The University of South Africa PhD researcher was honored for work recovering critical materials from spent lithium-ion batteries.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Chemistry
Live Poll
Should South Africa invest more government funding in scientific research?
Gosego Sedikelo, a PhD researcher at the University of South Africa, won the 2026 Eni Award in the Young Talents from Africa category. Italian President Sergio Mattarella presented the award at the Quirinal Palace in Rome.
Why it matters
Growing demand for cleaner energy technologies has made the disposal and recycling of used batteries an increasingly important concern. Sedikelo's work addresses how valuable materials can be recovered from that waste stream.
The Eni Award, now in its 18th edition, selects only two researchers from across Africa for the Young Talents category each year, and 2026 recipients received financial support for their doctoral studies. The extraction does not report the scale or cost of the recovery process.
The players
Gosego Sedikelo
A PhD researcher at the University of South Africa whose work on battery material recovery earned the 2026 Eni Award.
Sergio Mattarella
The Italian President who presented the award at the Quirinal Palace in Rome.
The details
Sedikelo's research at the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions at Unisa focuses on extracting critical materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries so they can be reused. The award recognizes scientific research and innovation in energy and environmental sustainability.
Timeline
Ceremony held 29 October 2026 at the Quirinal Palace in Rome.
Big Picture
The Eni Award, now in its 18th edition, has consistently recognized research in energy and environmental sustainability. Sedikelo's battery recycling work extends that focus to the circular economy for critical materials.
Improved battery recycling could reduce the volume of used batteries that end up as waste as demand for electronics and clean energy grows. Readers who own lithium-ion devices may see more recycling options over time as these methods develop.
The takeaway
Recycling spent batteries can recover materials that would otherwise be lost to waste. Consumers can help by using designated battery drop-off points rather than discarding batteries with household trash.
Further reading
For more on the chemistry behind this work, explore our Chemistry coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news..
Live Poll
Should South Africa invest more government funding in scientific research?
