Regional Workshop Kicks Off to Power Up Clean Energy Training in West Africa

Cotonou, Benin – October 20, 2025 — The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Renewables Academy (RENAC), has launched the Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop on the Design, Installation, and Inspection of Clean Energy Mini-Grids at the ESMER Academy in Benin. Running from October 20–31, 2025, the training is part of the AfDB-funded Desert-to-Power West Africa Regional Energy Program – Phase 1 (WAREP), which aims to accelerate solar and mini-grid deployment across the Sahel and ECOWAS region.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Juste Damada, representing ECREEE’s Acting Executive Director Mr. Gibson Obasi, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to capacity building as a foundation for sustainable energy development in West Africa and commended the Government of Benin for hosting the event. The ceremony also featured Mr. Félix C. Ebo, President of ESMER, and Renewable Energy Expert, Sale Kadi. Participants echoed the program’s impact, with Engr. Chinyere Blessing Igbokwe from Nigeria’s National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) noting that the curriculum effectively combines technical, financial, and community engagement components essential for building stronger national training programs.

The training follows a practical, hands-on approach—blending lectures, discussions, field visits, and software-based exercises—to equip 24 trainers from eight ECOWAS training centers with advanced technical and teaching skills. Upon completion, these master trainers will lead national programs and certifications, building a skilled workforce to accelerate clean energy mini-grid deployment across West Africa.