The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) congratulates AAS Fellow Professor Desta Mebratu (FAAS) on his election as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (HonFREng), one of the highest distinctions in the engineering profession.

Professor Mebratu is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and a Visiting Professor at the Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology, Ethiopia. A chemical engineer by training, he holds a PhD in Engineering in Industrial Environmental Economics from Lund University, Sweden.

His work has focused on resource-efficient and cleaner production, sustainable energy systems, sustainable industrial development, green economy policies and sustainability science. Through his research, policy engagement and international leadership, Professor Mebratu has helped shape thinking and practice around sustainability transitions both in Africa and globally.

A prolific scholar, he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and co-edited key reference works, including the Handbook on Sustainable Development Policy and Administration and Transformative Infrastructure for Development of a Wellbeing Economy in Africa. He was elected a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences in 2016 and has held fellowships at several internationally recognised institutions.

The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Fellowship represents some of the world’s most accomplished engineers, innovators and industry leaders. Each year, a limited number of Honorary Fellows are elected in recognition of outstanding and sustained contributions to engineering and society. Honorary Fellows are distinguished by the postnominals HonFREng and join a prestigious community committed to harnessing the power of engineering to build sustainable and inclusive economies.

Professor Mebratu’s election is a fitting recognition of his lifelong commitment to advancing sustainability, innovation and development, and an honour that reflects the growing global impact of African scholarship and leadership in engineering and sustainable development.