Power Africa, USAID empower 30 women with solar installation certification to champion clean energy revolution in Nigeria
Blessing Rita
Power Africa, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has successfully concluded a transformative 3-week Women’s Solar Installation Certification Course, equipping 30 women with the essential technical expertise to spearhead the adoption of clean energy in Nigeria.
This was revealed in a statement released by Power Africa and obtained by EnergyDay at the end of the training programme tagged “Elevate: Women’s Solar Installation Certification Course”, in Lagos.
According to Power Africa, women are expected to be represented as policymakers within national and regional governments, as executives of private sector companies, as managers within power sector utilities, as employees of generation plants and transmission and distribution systems, and as entrepreneurs within nascent energy enterprises.
The company in the statement commended the women for the dedication and successful completion of the three weeks of intensive hands-on training, with resource persons from Ashdam Academy.
EnergyDay gathered that the training covered Solar PV installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and a training-of-trainers component.
Power Africa emphasised that the programme ensured that participants possessed the skills to share their knowledge within their communities.
It further added that the participants took the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria COREN: Nigerian Competency Standards for Clean Energy Exam to qualify as Solar PV installation technicians.
The firm further emphasised that these 30 remarkable women have not only attended but excelled in the program.
The energy firm expressed excitement about the dedication of the participants to acquiring knowledge and their enthusiasm to narrow the gender gap in Nigeria’s energy sector is truly commendable.
Ogo Maduewesi, founder of Outer Shell, one of the beneficiaries in her comment said, “I was initially hesitant about committing to a 3-week program to learn about solar, but the class turned out to be so gratifying that I couldn’t afford to miss any session.
“I now have the confidence to discuss solar, proficiently install it, and effectively market solar energy to anyone,” she said.
EnergyDay’s check showed that PowerPower Africa, a U.S. government-led partnership, is actively involved in Nigeria to enhance access to electricity.
Power Africa is supporting the Nigerian government in various ways, including expanding transmission and distribution networks, establishing cost-reflective tariffs, and reducing inefficiencies to ensure affordable end-user tariffs.
The partnership has also facilitated agreements on several solar projects to help diversify Nigeria’s energy mix and assisted in the financial close of the Azura Edo Project, the country’s first private Independent Power Producer (IPP), with a significant investment from The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
EnergDay gathered that potential participants can register for the programme through forms.gle/kjsYagFirF9hJN
