The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has trained more than 100 Nigerian entrepreneurs on off-grid solar energy systems.
The training, which focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, is part of the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project, ROGEAP, a World Bank-funded initiative designed to foster a regional market for standalone photovoltaic solar energy solutions.
ROGEAP also receives support from the Clean Technology Fund and the Directorate General of International Cooperation of the Netherlands.
Speaking at a three-day Entrepreneurship Business Training held in Lagos, El Hadji Sylla, Senior Adviser at the ECOWAS Commission’s ROGEAP, stated that Nigerian SMEs have already benefited from $800,000 in grants under the project.
The training workshops, held in both Lagos and Abuja, were aimed at strengthening the technical and financial capacity of solar-focused SMEs, enabling them to thrive in the evolving renewable energy landscape.
Sylla noted that ECOWAS is working closely with Ecobank Group to develop support mechanisms for solar entrepreneurs, including technical assistance and direct credit lines for eligible businesses.
“Our goal is to ensure that submitted projects are not only technically feasible but also bankable,” he said.
He explained that the first component of ROGEAP, led by the ECOWAS Commission, focuses on creating a viable regional market for off-grid solar solutions.
This includes equipping SMEs with the skills to design technically sound, financially sustainable projects that meet commercial lending standards.
Also speaking at the event, Salamatu Baba Tunwzang, Team Lead at ROGEAP’s Entrepreneurship Support Facilities, emphasized the programme’s comprehensive approach. “We offer more than technical training.
SMEs in our network access funding opportunities, technical expertise, market intelligence, and platforms for strategic collaborations,” she said.
She also pointed out that technical installers, a key part of the solar value chain, are trained under the programme and are equally eligible to access financial support.
Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, represented by Regional Head, Otega Odjegna, commended the initiative, describing SMEs as the backbone of the West African economy.
“They represent over 80 percent of employment in the region. Supporting them aligns with our ELLEVATE programme and Single Market Trade Hub, which provide digital tools, financial services, and strategic guidance for scaling,” he said.
Lawal reiterated Ecobank’s commitment to sustainable development and inclusive finance, stating that empowering SMEs in the renewable energy sector will boost innovation, create jobs, and promote energy access across communities.
The ROGEAP project, which cuts across 19 West African countries, continues to drive regional integration by promoting clean energy access, economic development, and climate resilience through a private sector-led approach.
NAN
