In a major boost for renewable energy development in West Africa, ECOWAS and Ecobank Nigeria, in partnership with the World Bank, have trained over 100 entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s off-grid solar energy sector.
The training, conducted under the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), took place in Abuja and Lagos and focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the tools to thrive in the standalone solar energy market.
El Hadji Sylla, Senior Adviser and Project Coordinator at the ECOWAS Commission’s ROGEAP, highlighted the significance of the initiative. “This year, we have worked closely with Ecobank Nigeria to align solar-focused SME portfolios with the bank’s financing requirements,” Sylla said.
“Our goal is to ensure that the submitted projects are not only technically feasible but also bankable.”So far, Nigerian SMEs have received $800,000 in grants under the project to deepen their participation in the solar value chain.
Sylla also revealed that discussions are ongoing with the Ecobank Group to establish frameworks for extending direct credit lines and technical support to qualified businesses in the sector.
Salamatu Baba Tunwzang, Team Lead of ROGEAP’s Entrepreneurship Support Facilities, emphasized the program’s broader scope.“We also build the capacity of technical installers who can benefit from these opportunities,” she said.“It’s a comprehensive support system—they receive funding, technical training, market intelligence, and valuable networking opportunities.”
Ecobank Nigeria’s Managing Director, Bolaji Lawal, represented by Regional Manager Otega Aghogho Odjegna, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to empowering SMEs. “SMEs are the lifeblood of any economy,” he noted.
“They contribute over 80 percent of employment across West Africa.”The initiative ties into Ecobank’s ELLEVATE program and Single Market Trade Hub, designed to equip SMEs with financial solutions, digital tools, and market insights.
The Lagos event drew key stakeholders, including ECOWAS officials, project partners, and business leaders, all championing a shared vision of sustainable energy and inclusive economic growth across the region.
