Akon’s Lighting Africa initiative is constantly looking ahead into future and strategizing the next steps to bringing electricity to nearly 600 million Africans. Earlier this week at the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum, Akon made an announcement that his company would be creating a solar academy for developing skills and training in Bamako, Mali.
“This professional training center of excellence is a first on the continent and targets future African entrepreneurs, engineers and technicians,” says the press release on Akon’s Lighting Africa website. “It aims to reinforce expertise in every aspect of installing and maintaining solar-powered electric systems and micro-grids in particular, which are really taking off in rural Africa.”
Lighting Africa, which is founded by Thione Niang, Samba Bathily and Akon, will be partnering up with Solektra to execute the expansion plan. Lighting Africa has already installed street lights and small household solar systems in 14 countries.
With 320 days of sunshine a year, Africa is perfect for the development of solar power. Many Africans still do not have access to electricity, and Akon aims to fulfill his promise. For more information on his charity initiative, revisit our interview with him from last year below.
