Milan, 11th December 2025 – RES4Africa Foundation successfully concluded the 12th edition of its flagship capacity-building program, the Executive School, designed to equip high-level professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead Africa’s green and just energy transition.

Hosted in Milan and conducted in partnership with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Enel Foundation and the European Investment Bank (EIB) and in collaboration with SDA Bocconi and POLIMI Graduate School of Management, this two-week intensive program provided participants with a multi-disciplinary understanding of Africa’s renewable energy (RE) value chain, combining academic insights with practical industry experience.

The Executive School aimed to strengthen local ownership of renewable energy projects, enhance managerial and technical skills, create new employment opportunities, and support a just and sustainable energy transition across African communities. From 24 November to 5 December, participants engaged in in-depth sessions and practical activities at Politecnico di Milano and SDA Bocconi, gaining both theoretical insights and applied expertise across the full renewable energy spectrum.

This year’s program welcomed 40 participants, including senior managers and network professionals, from 18 African countries, all attending with full scholarships to enhance their professional growth.

The Executive School curriculum covered critical topics for Africa’s energy transition, including global and African energy market trends, grid integration of variable renewable energy (VRE), energy efficiency, power storage and transmission infrastructure, project finance and investment evaluation. Sessions were delivered by experienced professionals, academics, and highly skilled technicians from RES4Africa’s network. Participants also engaged in practical site visits to: CESI SpA (VRE grid integration), Nidec (point of view of a system integrator, battery storage and flexibility solutions), Prysmian Group (new scenarios in power grids industry), and ABB’s Dalmine factory (innovative and sustainable distribution grid infrastructures). Additionally, a cultural tour of the Duomo di Milano offered insight into Milan’s rich heritage.

Aligned with the Foundation’s focus on inclusive development, this year’s program emphasized two strategic themes: electrification of final uses with a focus on e-mobility, exploring opportunities and challenges of electric transport in African countries; and the role of women in the energy transition, highlighting pathways for greater gender inclusion in professional and leadership roles, based on RES4Africa’s report, “A Just Transition or Just a Transition – Making the Case for Women in Energy.”

The closing session featured contributions from (in order of intervention): Matteo Di Castelnuovo, Professor of Practice in Energy Economics, SDA Bocconi; Cons. Lorenzo Ortona, Deputy Coordinator of the Task Force for the implementation of the Mattei Plan of the Italian Government; Maria de Concini, Segretaria di Legazione at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Giulia Genuardi, Managing Director of Enel Foundation; Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General RES4Africa Foundation; Salvatore Bernabei, President RES4Africa Foundation and CEO Enel Green Power.

“Africa’s clean energy future depends on nurturing skilled leaders who can confidently navigate its rapidly evolving landscape,” said Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation. “With the Executive School, we are strengthening Africa’s human capital, equipping decision-makers with the knowledge and practical skills to foster local ownership, create jobs, drive regional collaboration, and ensure a just and sustainable energy transition. This program is a meaningful step toward a more prosperous, empowered, and environmentally responsible Africa.”

"Initiatives like RES4Africa’s Executive School confirm how education and leadership development are essential to accelerate the global energy transition. At POLIMI Graduate School of Management we are deeply committed to creating positive impact through knowledge, empowering leaders who can drive sustainable and inclusive growth. This program reflects that commitment, fostering collaboration and innovation for a better future.” Said Vittorio Chiesa, Chairman of POLIMI Graduate School of Management.

"There is a large body of evidence clearly showing that clean technologies are crucial solutions not only to decarbonize the energy system across the globe but also to significantly improve the energy access in developing economies." Prof. Matteo Di Castelnuovo, Associate Professor of Practice at SDA Bocconi.

“As a long-standing partner of RES4Africa Foundation, I am pleased to join this important event dedicated to the next generation of energy leaders. Strengthening technical and policy capacity is a cornerstone of the European Investment Bank’s approach in Africa because effective project preparation and sound regulatory frameworks are essential to scale up renewable energy. Through Global Gateway, we are working closely with African partners to translate this expertise into transformative investments in generation, grids and regional electricity trade. Clean and affordable energy is one of the defining challenges of our time,” said Andrea Clerici, EIB Director responsible for Corporate Finance and Global Activities.

“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 facilities for testing HV equipment and manufacturing of solar cells for space applications, as well as 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.

"For Nidec Conversion, contributing to the training of Africa’s future energy leaders means directly investing in the continent’s future. The energy transition requires strong technical skills and strategic vision, and initiatives like the Executive School provide a crucial meeting point between industry, institutions, and emerging talent. We are proud to have offered participants a concrete perspective on storage solutions and system flexibility, which are essential to accelerating the integration of renewable energy.” Commented Dominique Llonch President of Nidec Energy.