Mali to improve solar energy sector

Endow Africa skills to develop the solar energy sector. This is the ambition of Solektra International Academy, an idea born from the Akon Lighting Africa project.

The founder, Akon, is a famous American artist of Senegalese origin and whose goal is to provide electricity for 10 million homes in Africa.

“In this initiative, there are close to 15 African countries where we had solar installations. And we realized that there is a lack of qualified labor in order to carry out the work to meet international standards. So after these 15 countries which is only for training, the training of a critical mass of people,on all the aspects of solar projects”, said Patrice Ndangang,director of the academy.

The institution has been in function since January and provides free training for women for this first year. For example, learners receive basic principles on how to install a Panel, battery and accessories in order to produce electricity.

“There are a lot of things I did not know that I learned here. We can only mention a few. Because we only know of EDM, we never knew the sun could give so much. I will inform all those who were not lucky enough to be here. I’ll tell them everything that’s happened here”, disclosed a student of the institution, Keita Sadio Diawara.

In 10 months of existence Solektra International Academy has hosted hundreds of learners all originating from West Africa. Akon Lighting Africa now intends to create another Academy of the same type in Central Africa.