The West African Power Pool (WAPP) has secured a grant of EUR 88,700 to train young women in solar energy and related skills across Ghana and Nigeria.
The funding comes from the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) Fund for Innovation and Education, which selected the project during the opening ceremony of the CIGRE 2026 Session in Paris on 23 August 2026.
The project, titled u201cEmpowering Young Women through Skills Development in Solar Energy, Mini-Grids and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Community Development,u201d will be carried out in collaboration with VRA Academy in Ghana and the NAPTIN Regional Training Centre in Kainji, Nigeria.
VRA Academy was recently designated as a WAPP Regional Centre of Excellence.
According to the announcement from WAPP, the initiative will train 40 to 50 young women in solar photovoltaic energy, mini-grids, energy management and safety.
It will also strengthen the capacities of approximately 15 trainers from the partner centres and develop reusable training modules for use across the WAPP Regional Training Centres Network.
Beyond the technical instruction, participants will receive support in designing energy solutions and entrepreneurial initiatives through mentoring and incubation.
The project aims to create new professional and entrepreneurial opportunities for beneficiaries while promoting decentralised energy solutions in areas with low electrification rates.
The selection recognises the cooperation between the CIGRE West Africa National Committee, led by WAPP, and the WAPP Regional Training Centres Network.
WAPP expressed gratitude to the Board of the CIGRE Fund for Innovation and Education and congratulated the involved institutions for their commitment to the initiative.
Implementation arrangements, the activity schedule and the beneficiary selection process will be communicated after the grant agreement is finalised.