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Open Africa Power - welcoming clean energy leaders of tomorrow

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Nairobi, April 9th, 2018

The first edition of Open Africa Power program is starting: the opening module takes off in Kenya at Strathmore University.

The program, created by Enel Foundation in partnership with Academic partners in Italy and Africa, aims to forge a new generation of African leaders deeply engaged with their countries clean energy future. The opening module of this flagship training program is the beginning of a four-months learning path for 34 African Master and PhD students and alumni from nine different countries, who will improve their know-how of the electricity sector while engaging in professional development and leadership activities.

After a careful selection process, the selected group of exceptionally talented experts from African Universities is now starting the inaugural course hosted by Strathmore University and University of Nairobi. Coming from diverse backgrounds in Engineering, Computer Science, Law, and Business, students will have the opportunity to complement their knowledge on electricity with a holistic view of the challenges in the race for a clean energy future in Africa. The course will enhance students technical, regulatory and business skills needed to work in the private and public sector towards the electrification of Africa.

In addition to Enel Foundation and University of Strathmore, the course features cooperation from University of NairobiPolytechnic University of TurinPolytechnic University of Milan and Bocconi University.

Carlo Papa, Director of the Enel Foundation announced the academic cooperation venture saying “education is one of the most powerful and proven tools of sustainable development. Sharing knowledge on all aspects of sustainable electricity production and distribution, from technology to policy and regulation, we will win the race to a clean energy future for Africa”.

During the initial week, participants will explore the state of the art in the global electricity sector though the lenses of the Sustainable Development Goals thanks to the extensive experience of Enel experts. Several workshops will enrich the learning experience with the participation of government, business, and non-profit leaders, engaging students in a dialogue around issues of Africa’s clean energy future.

An interactive, international learning experience

Following the Nairobi-based module, students will return to their countries to engage in a distance-learning course by Florence School of Regulation that analyses the multi-dimensional approach to energy access, and work on research projects around key dimensions for the electricity sector in Africa. The concrete research proposals will focus on helping to win the race from poverty to prosperity for the continent. A selection of the best students will then move on to the next residential module taking place in Italy next summer.

The Italian module will investigate the new frontiers of the electricity sector and participants will experience innovation first hand in leading contexts such as the Polytechnic University of Turin, the Polytechnic of Milan and Bocconi Universities. Visits to Enel Group facilities where sustainable technologies are used to produce and distribute electricity will also be part of the module.

Open Africa Power program also aims to facilitate the cascading of knowledge from participants to younger students. In this context, alumni will be asked to share their expertise lecturing younger university students in the Region and serve as trainers for vocational training organized by Enel Foundation in Africa. This module, named “Give Back”, will close the Open Africa Power program and turn its graduates into true agents of change in the transformation of the electricity industry in Africa.

The time has come for the African clean energy transition, and Open Africa Power aims to become a long lasting training platform, open for more Enel Foundation partners to join the venture and enhance its impact by reaching a larger number of students every year.