Student theses
Are you studying at HNU and interested in writing a thesis on an Africa-related topic?
Feel free to contact us at africainstitute[at]hnu[dot]de! We supervise a wide variety of topics, gladly related to our ongoing projects, and sometimes the opportunity for on-site data collection arises.
Possible topics are listed here, but we are very open to your ideas.
Topics for student theses at the Africa Institute
- Prevalence and acceptance of product-service-systems business models in Rwanda
- Bioeconomy in the agricultural sector of Rwanda
- Consumer awareness and acceptance of circular economy business models
- Identifying case studies of extant circular business models in Rwanda
- Assessing lifecycle impact of circular business models in Rwanda
- Intersections between the agricultural sector and other industries in Rwanda
- Modelling for closed-loop supply chains for selected products in Rwanda
- Prevalence of circularity in sustainability regulations / governmental documents in Rwanda
- Prevalence of circularity in comparison of Rwanda to other selected African countries / European countries
- How to make a product / process of an established company more circular – case study / feasibility study
- Solidarity economy in Rwanda - potentials, concepts
- Mapping inputs and outputs of a typical farm in Rwanda
- Literature review on the differences between “new economic concepts” (bioeconomy, circular economoy, circular bioeconomy, green economy,…)
- Trends, objectives, research gaps in the scientific community on the subject of the circular economy
- Circular economy in the degrowth debate
- How to promote and support business incubation in developing rural areas in Namibia [Experiences, difficulties, & opportunities]
- Concepts to generate social and economic wealth in remote rural areas of Namibia – A critical analysis [Examination of experiences and deduction of forward-oriented opportunities]
- Site analysis for local production and supply chain management in Kenya
- 'Smart simplicity' as criteria for innovative product development - The adaption of products to the specific needs of the huge and rapidly growing markets in Africa and Asia
- Improvement of supply chains in the food/agricultural sector through cold chains
- E-mobility in Kenya - market potential and market analysis
- Manufacturing value-chains in Kenya for E-mobility technology
- Shared & circular economy business models in rural Kenya
- Innovative and sustainable social business models in Kenya
- Marketing for incubators – a comparison of German and Kenyan providers
- What makes German and Kenyan incubators successful?
- How to brand German and Kenyan start-ups from the renewable energy sector?
- Business models for German and Kenyan start-ups from the renewable energy sector
- A comparison of German and Kenyan consumers – using archetypes
- A comparison of German and Kenyan companies in terms of image – using archetypes
- A comparison of Germany and Kenya as brands – using archetypes
- What data do German companies need to launch a product or service in Kenya successfully?
Completed Bachelor theses 2022
- Calculation of the Levelized Cost of Electricity for a Mini-Grid in Namibia
- Assessing the profitability and identifying financing options for an investment in Senegal
- Development of a concept for a sustainable lodge in the Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal
- Mini-Grids in Sub-Saharan Africa, case study Tsumkwe Namibia Development of a cost calculation scheme for generation, storage and transmission
Completed Master theses 2022
- Top 10 Business Models for Productive Use in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Design of a University-Based German African Accelerator Using the Example of an HNU-Based German Kenyan Accelerator
Completed Bachelor theses 2021
- Calculation of the Levelised Cost of Electricity for a Mini-Grid in Namibia
- Economic viability of "productive use business models" in the field of rural electrification in Africa
- Entrepreneurship in Africa
Completed Bachelor theses 2020
- Presentation of the framework conditions for promoting e-mobility in West Africa
- Presentation of the framework conditions for the promotion of renewable energies in African countries
- Opportunities and risks of German companies for investments in sub-Saharan Africa
- International project management and intercultural competence: The importance of culture and its influence on project success
Completed Bachelor theses 2019
- Sub-Saharan Africa as an investment opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises
- Opportunities and barriers for European companies to invest in Sub-Saharan Africa
Completed Master theses 2019
- Crowdfunding comparison Kenya - Germany
