RES4Africa Foundation and the East Africa Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase their cooperation and mutual support in the promotion of renewable energy. The agreement aims especially to deepen their collaboration in the strengthening and expansion of the Micro-Grid Academy (MGA), a vocational capacity building programme led by RES4Africa Foundation and based in Nairobi, set to create skilled and conscious workforce to deploy decentralised renewable energy solutions within and beyond the East Africa region.
RES4Africa and EACREEE share a common vision on the crucial role that human resources play in Africa’s development. Thanks to the MGA and other capacity buildings activities, they cooperate in the training of professionals who will contribute to the development of the African energy sector, enhancing access to energy in rural communities, strengthening local enterprises and creating new jobs. Strengthening and professionalising the energy sector also means contributing to bring a positive impact on health, education, female empowerment, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, as well as access to safe water and food production.
“Capacity building and knowledge management are key ingredients for sustainability of renewable energy and energy efficiency development in the region. We are very happy to be associated with the Micro-Grid Academy, which is making a significant contribution in this area. EACREEE is very pleased to work with RES4Africa Foundation and other partners to implement capacity building and knowledge management programmes” says Prof. Mackay Okure, Interim Executive Director EACREEE.
“We are very proud to collaborate with EACREEE in the promotion of the Micro-Grid Academy, a programme that means a lot to us” concludes Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation, “RES4Africa works with Africa for Africa. Investing in the education of African young professionals means investing in Africa’s future and, with EACREEE on our side, we can see this future brighter”.
Launched in January 2018, the Micro-Grid Academy has trained over 300 students so far from the East African Community (EAC) Partner States as well as from Zambia, Ethiopia and Europe. The MGA goal is to train up to 500 people per year ranging from community technicians to project managers, developers, engineers and students.
