BGFA’s Training Programme in Uganda Advances Skills, Gender Inclusion, and Off-Grid Energy Access

Photo: Course participants with their certificates – Renac for the Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA)

(IN BRIEF) The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) has successfully completed its Job Creation and Skills Development sub-programme in Uganda, providing over 300 participants with training to enhance technical and business skills within the off-grid energy sector. This initiative, which ran throughout 2023-2024, aimed to support businesses in scaling their operations and increasing off-grid energy access in rural Uganda. The training, focused on solar home systems and mini-grids, also emphasized gender inclusion, with 32% of participants being women. The programme contributed to the creation of a more skilled and diverse workforce, fostering business growth, job creation, and a greener energy transition. Key stakeholders in the training included Nefco, RENAC, Inensus, Sendea UG, and USEA. BGFA is on track to help Uganda reach its off-grid electrification goals, potentially reaching 3 million people with over 580,000 energy connections.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 25-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) has successfully concluded its Job Creation and Skills Development sub-programme in Uganda, significantly advancing the skills and business acumen within the country’s off-grid energy sector. The initiative, which ran throughout 2023-2024, saw over 300 participants, including 32% women, engaging in specialized training aimed at bolstering both technical and business capabilities. This training is set to enhance the ability of companies to scale their operations, thus increasing off-grid energy access for rural communities in Uganda.

The training programme, which targeted BGFA-funded companies and other stakeholders within Uganda’s off-grid energy sector, aimed to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce. A series of 20 courses, covering technical aspects of solar home systems and mini-grids as well as business skills like project management, financial planning, and customer engagement, were conducted over the course of the year. By providing a holistic approach, the programme has helped businesses refine their strategies, improve operational efficiency, and expand their customer base.

Tina Möller, Programme Manager and coordinator of the sub-programme at Nefco, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes: “We are very positive to see that the implemented programme has succeeded in its goals and that, through the programme, we have been able to actively contribute to enhancing skills and improve gender inclusion in the sector.” The programme’s design was influenced by a 2021 study commissioned by Denmark, which highlighted the need for capacity-building within the off-grid energy sector. Following this, a team of experts, including Renewables Academy (RENAC), Inensus, Sendea UG, and USEA, was selected to organize and deliver the training.

A critical focus of the training was to enhance both technical and business skills among energy service providers, helping them manage risks and build stronger client relationships. Gender inclusion was also prioritized, with a strong emphasis on encouraging women to take on leadership roles and participate as trainers and content creators. This approach has made significant strides in ensuring a more diverse and inclusive renewable energy market in Uganda.

Course participants, such as Eric Adweko from BrightLife Uganda, shared their enthusiasm, noting that the hands-on workshops and practical sessions on solar technology applications were particularly impactful. “This experience has significantly enhanced my professional endeavours by arming me with practical skills, which I have already utilised in my work role, resulting in more efficient and successful project executions,” Adweko remarked.

The diversity of the training participants enriched the overall learning experience, fostering greater collaboration and a stronger network within Uganda’s off-grid energy sector. Rafael Juan Martí, Project Director and Trainer at RENAC, highlighted the programme’s success: “The participants’ great enthusiasm, good reception of the learning outputs and received certificates as well as the interest of the different stakeholders involved are a clear sign of the programme’s broad appeal and its success in supporting the creation of a strong and diverse workforce in Uganda’s solar industry.”

This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the BGFA programme in Uganda, which is set to reach nearly 3 million people in rural areas through more than 580,000 energy connections. The fund, supported by Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, is expected to foster business growth, creating up to 1,000 new jobs in the off-grid energy sector. With ongoing support for energy service providers, the programme ensures that the skills gained will have a long-lasting impact, contributing to Uganda’s off-grid electrification targets.

Key components of the training programme:

A flexible approach tailored to the diverse needs of companies and individuals.
Sector-specific training to explore new business opportunities with decentralized solar solutions.
A hands-on learning experience to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
A strong focus on inclusivity, promoting gender diversity and fostering knowledge exchange.

More information about the implemented Skills development programme:

For further information, please contact:

Tina Möller, Programme Manager at Nefco
Tina.moller@nefco.int, +358 10 6180 651

Rafael Juan Martí, Project Director and Trainer at Renewables Academy (RENAC) AG
juan@renac.de, +49 (0)30 58 70870 37

About RENAC

The Renewables Academy (RENAC) AG, based in Berlin, is a leading global provider of training and capacity building in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Since 2008, we have empowered nearly 36,000 participants from 178 countries with the expertise needed to drive the transition to clean energy. We believe that knowledge is key to a sustainable and secure energy future. Our programmes for solar energy, wind power, bioenergy, storage, e-mobility, energy efficiency and grids equip professionals from industry, finance, and policy-making with the skills to meet the growing demand for green energy expertise worldwide. Read more at www.renac.de

About BGFA

The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA) is a multi-donor facility established and managed by Nefco – the Nordic Green Bank. Nefco is an international financial institution based in Helsinki, Finland, focusing on environmental and climate investments and fund management. BGFA is implemented by Nefco, with the support of two project implementation partners. NIRAS is a development and engineering consultancy company headquartered in Denmark. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), an international multilateral partnership based in Vienna, Austria, works to accelerate market-based deployment of renewable energy and energy-efficiency solutions in developing countries.

The EUR 126 million BGFA programme was established in 2019 on Sweden’s initiative through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). It has since been developed by Nefco into a multi-donor programme funded by Denmark through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Germany through its development bank KfW, Norway through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation Norad and Sweden. Power Africa, an initiative administered by USAID, is providing an in-kind technical assistance contribution. Read more at www.beyondthegrid.africa

SOURCE: NEFCO

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