Akon and his fellow co-founders of Solektra International, Samba Bathily and Thione Niang, officially inaugurated the Solektra Solar Academy in Bamako, Mali. When it opens in January it will be the first institute entirely dedicated to solar technologies.
Solektra is the company that launched the Akon Lighting Africa initiative.
Appointed as Director, Patrice Dangang announced an ambitious program to train annually 200 skilled workers, technicians and engineers from all over Africa. The courses will include both theoretical and practical classes meeting best standards and using the latest generation simulation equipment. With a duration of two weeks up to three months, the different modules will focus on issues specific to the continent, such as the development of decentralized rural electrification systems. Some courses on the general dynamics of the solar market will also be proposed.
Trainees will acquire genuine technical expertise in a fast-growing sector. As explained by Akon, “solar technologies are now cost-effective and can be deployed massively to support Africa’s economic development. Our continent will thus be in the position to drive global growth in the near future.” The Solektra Solar Academy has already concluded partnerships with world-class institutions, such as the German electrical technology and training solution specialist, Lucas Nuelle.
"We need a sufficiently large and qualified workforce to address the energy crisis that has impacted Africa for years,” said Samba Bathily in his speech. With this project, Solektra International continues to act as a responsible company, eager to have a positive impact on the environment. "We are creating a powerful ecosystem around solar technologies in order to create jobs and opportunities. This is our responsibility vis-à-vis the African youth ", added Thione Niang.
Solektra International will need new resources: the success of the Akon Lighting Africa initiative, now operating in 15 African countries, allows the three co-founders to consider an ambitious business plan for 2016. Opportunities have been identified in Latin America and Asia, while 10 new countries are targeted in Africa. A major partnership is also being discussed with the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) of ECOWAS to install in each member country solar mini-grids, now regarded by industry experts as the most innovative solution to electrify rural areas.