Milan, 9th December 2024 – RES4Africa Foundation successfully concluded the 11th edition of the RES4Africa Academy Executive School, a flagship capacity-building initiative dedicated to institutional leaders, senior managers, and professionals operating in the African renewable energy sector. This year’s training was supported by Enel Foundation, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the European Investment Bank, and conducted in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Management and SDA Bocconi School of Management.

The Executive School’s primary objective is to strengthen local ownership of sustainable projects, open new renewable energy-related job opportunities, and improve local expertise. This was achieved through two weeks of intensive in-person training, inaugurated on 25th November and held daily in Milan—one week at Politecnico di Milano and the second week at SDA Bocconi.

This year’s program hosted 40 participants, including high-level managers from public institutions, energy companies, implementing agencies, research organisations, and civil society from 16 African countries. All participants were awarded full scholarships to support their professional development.

The Executive School curriculum provided comprehensive lectures on key topics related to Africa’s energy transition, covering areas such as energy management, efficiency measures, electrification, project finance, decarbonization enablers, circular economy, grid infrastructure, and more. Sessions were led by experienced professionals, academics, and high-skilled technicians from RES4Africa’s network. Additionally, participants benefitted from multiple site visits: they visited CESI SpA headquarters for practical insights on power quality, energy storage, and VRE grid integration; Nidec facilities to explore energy storage, power infrastructure, and system integration; Prysmian to learn about cable solutions for power grid development and enhancement; and ABB’s Dalmine factory for a deep dive into innovative and more sustainable equipment for distribution grids. Participants also enjoyed a cultural tour of the Duomo di Milano, connecting them to the rich heritage of Milan.

The Executive School was also the occasion for Roberto Vigotti, RES4Africa's Secretary General, to present the new Policy Paper issued by RES4Africa on Scaling up sustainable electrification in Africa and with Africa.

The closing session included valuable insights from Min. Francesca Santoro (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation),  Giulia Genuardi (Managing Director, ENEL Foundation), Carmelo Cocuzza (Head of Advisory, Infrastructure & Climate, EIB), Giorgio Massotti (Head of Business Partnership, International Development Cooperation, CDP), Salvatore Bernabei (President of RES4Africa Foundation and CEO at Enel Green Power), Roberto Vigotti (Secretary General, RES4Africa Foundation), Matteo Di Castelnuovo (Professor of Practice in Energy Economics and Director of the Master in Sustainability Management (MSM) at SDA Bocconi)

"Africa’s energy transition hinges on empowering a skilled, forward-thinking managerial class," stated Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation. "Through the Executive School, we are building a foundation for sustainable growth, resilience, and energy independence across the continent. This program is crucial to creating a more equitable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable future for Africa."

"We are very proud to have taken of this through our production plant in Cinisello. On behalf of the whole team involved in the event, I extend my sincere gratitude for the opportunity given by RES4Africa Foundation to exchange the experiences in the power sector and more specifically in the Energy Storage and Transmission Grid Infrastructures. The RES4Africa Foundation is a project we believed in so much, and to be part of the cutting-edge technology energy solutions program is a matter of great satisfaction for Nidec, as we work through our business areas to promote worldwide our innovative decarbonization solutions. Occasions like these play a crucial role in shaping the future of renewable energy in Africa and are important opportunities to build fruitful synergies. I look forward to continuing this collaboration and progressing in the renewable energy landscape for the continent." Stated Dominique Llonch, CEO of NIDEC.

“We are pleased to have hosted the RES4Africa Foundation Executive School, facilitating the exchange of challenges and solutions regarding renewable grid integration. During this event, we showcased CESI’s state-of-the-art testing facilities and highlighted our consultancy expertise in the African power sector. CESI has been supporting this event for several years and we look forward to continuing this valuable collaboration in the future,” stated Simone Pasquini, Area Manager Africa, Consulting Division of CESI S.p.A.

“We are thrilled of having been part of the 11th edition of the RES4Africa Academy Executive School. Being part of the RES4 Foundation for Prysmian is not only fully in line with our social ambition. It is also part of a concrete effort to transfer knowledge in our areas of expertise, like our innovative solutions for the development and enhancement of power grids, a highly compelling necessity to grant sustainable supplies of energy all over the world, said Cinzia Farisè, EVP Power Grid at Prysmian.

"We are very proud to have participated in this event dedicated to sustainable energy development in African countries by hosting the delegation at our Lighthouse plant in Dalmine. As a member of the Foundation RES4Africa, we recognize the critical importance of investing in renewable energy solutions to ensure a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. Our company is committed to supporting projects that not only improve access to energy, but also contribute to the economic and social development of local communities. In addition, this event provides a unique opportunity for sharing experiences and networking among industry professionals. We believe that sharing knowledge and best practices is critical to accelerating progress towards common goals.” Stated Marco Marini, Global Account Manager Enel at ABB.

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