The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) and Ecobank Nigeria are set to host a three-day Entrepreneurship Business Training (EBT) Workshop for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the solar energy sector in Lagos.
The workshop, scheduled for April 28-30, 2025, aims to equip 50 SMEs with the technical, financial, and business management skills needed to thrive in the growing renewable energy sector.
The training builds on a similar program held in Abuja in March 2025, where 50 SMEs were equipped with vital skills. With this Lagos edition, ROGEAP and Ecobank will have trained 100 SMEs, boosting business capacity and accelerating the adoption of stand-alone solar solutions in off-grid communities.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the off-grid solar value chain, quality assurance standards, environmental and social risk management practices, and viable business models.
They will also be introduced to financial opportunities, including ROGEAP grants and access to credit lines.
Expert trainers from ROGEAP, Ecobank, and the industry will deliver high-impact sessions tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities within the solar sector.
Tunde Dawodu, Divisional Head, FCT/North at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized the bank’s commitment to supporting SMEs, noting that they are essential to national economic development.
“As a bank, we recognize the significant contribution of SMEs to the country’s economy, including their role in job creation and GDP growth,” he said.
A representative of the ECOWAS Commission highlighted the broader objectives of ROGEAP, explaining that the initiative provides considerable support for entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector.
The ROGEAP Project Fund Manager, Salamatu Baba, noted that the training is an investment in the future of clean energy across West Africa, driving energy access, creating jobs, and strengthening economic development.
The entrepreneurship training in Lagos is a pivotal step in building the capacity of local businesses to meet the growing demand for reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.
With the support of ROGEAP and Ecobank Nigeria, SMEs in the solar energy sector can access the skills and resources needed to thrive and contribute to the region’s economic development.
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