Around 100 young energy professionals from 24 African countries participated in the 29th training edition of the RES4Africa Academy Technical and Vocational School (former MGA), supported by the knowledge partner Enel Foundation and carried out online and on-field between the 26th and the 28th of April, and the between the 3rd and the 5th of May 2023. The lessons provided trainees with first-hand capacity building on procurement and construction, construction programs, payment schedules, project management, micro-grid business models, economics, and project financing.

As a crucial part of the learning path, on the 5th of May, 11 students had the opportunity to be involved in a field visit to Nairobi, Kenya. During the practical experiences conducted at Strathmore University's Energy Research Centre (SERC), the participants were able to benefit from hands-on practical demonstrations and exercises on system installation, commissioning & decommissioning. The aim was to bridge the gap between theory and practice, as well as to deal with technical topics in line with this edition's content for Module 4: Economics and regulatory frameworks. 

The activities were organised in collaboration with the RES4Africa Academy's Technical and Vocational School Network: St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute, AVSI Foundation, EACREEE, EWiEn, KPLC, and Enel Foundation, while the lectures were delivered by experts from Strathmore University, SERC, Open Africa Power, PwC, RINA, Sapienza University, RCREEE, Engreen, among others.

Full list of speakers and trainers:

Erick Otieno Akumu, Ignatius Maranga, Dr (Eng.) Fenwicks Musonye, Eng. Nickson Bukachi (Professors at Strathmore University), Patrick Mwanzia (Ag. Co-Director, Strathmore Energy Research Center), Giuseppe Valerio (Director at St. Kizito VTI), Canon Goddy Muhanguzi Muhumuza (Interim Executive Director, EACREEE), Adey Getachew (Co-Founder & Executive Member, now President of Ethiopian Women in Energy), Denis Ariho (Lead Technical Expert for the EAC Region, EELA Project, EACREEE), Mohamed Sadeq (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Specialist at Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), and Open Africa Power Alumnus), Ilya Gulakov (Principal Social Consultant at RINA), Christian Zulberti (Deputy Director at Enel Foundation), Izael Da Silva (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Research and Innovation at Strathmore University), Romana Koech (Country Representative at AVSI Foundation).