Kwasi from Ghana, Adama from Gambia and Babatope from Nigeria (from the left)

Three African management trainees who work in the renewable energies sector have taken part in a 7-week training at Gehrlicher Solar AG, which started on September 13 and ended on October 29. The goal of this program called „Renewable Energies for West Africa“, which is organized by Inwent, is to allow energy experts from different African countries to get in-depth insight of Bavarian companies from the renewable energies sector.

Inwent promotes human resource development, advanced training and dialogue on behalf of the Federal Government.  A total of 13 experts from Africa took part in the program, which was financed by the Bavarian Ministry of Economics and which took place in seven Bavarian companies.

At Gehrlicher, the off-grid systems team supervised three management trainees. During the seven weeks of training, the experts shared their experiences with network-independent isolated systems, talked about the way they function and about their economic feasibility – especially in Africa. At the same time, the trainees learned more about grid-connected PV systems, the concept of feed-in tariffs and the way German companies work.

Dr. Michael Alger, Head of Off-Grid Systems, says: „It was a very intensive transfer of knowledge for both sides. We also got a lot of interesting information which we will be able to use in the expansion of our off-grid segment.”

After completing the training program, the three trainees talked about how they had experienced their stay.

Kwasi, Marketing Manager, Ghana: „Gehrlicher has a pioneering role in the industry. I am very excited about the diversity of the employees and the harmonious work climate. I not only learned technical know-how but also a lot about Germany – I really had a culture shock when it came to the food and the climate. My goal now is to keep in contact with Gehrlicher and initiate new joint projects.“

Adama, Energy Officer, Gambia: „I learned a lot about the political framework conditions for renewable energies in Germany and Europe. In general, I was impressed about how aware people are in Germany of environmental themes. I believe that there is great potential for solar energy in Gambia – we have a lot of sun and there are many people that don’t have access to the electricity grid. I will now try to establish contacts between Gehrlicher and solar companies in Gambia.“

Babatope, Project Engineer, Nigeria: „After having worked a lot with off-grid systems in Nigeria, I learned here how on-grid systems work and have become familiar with the economic aspects. The technical possibilities that are available here are great. My company hopes to be able to establish a good cooperation with Gehrlicher in the mid-term. We believe that photovoltaics will quickly become a model of success in Nigeria and entire Africa.”

About Inwent

Inwent – Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung GmbH (Capacity Building International) is an organization with worldwide operations dedicated to human resource development, advanced training, and dialogue. The Capacity Building Programs are directed at experts and executives from politics, administration, the business community, and civil society. Inwent is commissioned by the German Federal Government with the execution of the development goals of the United Nations and advises German businesses in public private partnership projects. Participants of Inwent training programs in Germany profit from a modern and practice-oriented educational system as well as from intercultural exchanges with colleagues from all over the globe.

Background Information

Gehrlicher Off-Grid-Solutions

Inwent website