Solar power initiative Akon Lighting Africa will launch its solar academy next month in Bamako, Mali, to help develop skills and expertise in the solar energy sector in Africa.

The academy will be the first on the continent and specifically targets African entrepreneurs, engineers and technicians to create sustainable jobs and promote inclusive growth by globally reinforcing solar expertise in Africa.

Mali-based Solektra International, a partner of Akon Lighting Africa, will introduce the academy.

Solektra International CEO and Akon Lighting Africa cofounder Samba Bathily tells Engineering News that Solektra works with various technical and financial partners from Africa, Europe, China and the US to create synergies that will reinforce the momentum already under way in Africa.

The academy will focus on expertise in installing and maintaining solar-powered electric systems and microgrids, which are becoming popular in rural African areas.

“We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We need to consolidate African expertise and that is our objective. We are doing more than just investing in clean energy. We are investing in human capital,” says Bathily.

He adds that the African transformation process can be accelerated on condition that a new generation of highly qualified African engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs are trained.

The academy will host between 110 to 120 students, at least two from each African country.

Qualified and renowned experts in the sector, including systems technicians and electrical power engineers, will teach students. The courses will cover a range of basic theoretical material and will later focus on project-orientated and didactic training.

Students will have access to high-quality training systems and educational equipment, as well as the latest photovoltaic technology, adds Bathily.

Akon Lighting Africa cofounder Thione Niang says Africa has the youngest population, with 70% of the population aged under 35. One of the continent’s significant challenges is training and creating sustainable employment.

“We expect the Africans who graduate from this centre to devise new, innovative and technical solutions. With this academy, we can capitalise on Akon Lighting Africa and go further,” says Niang.