ECOWAS and GIZ train Togolese technicians for the regional certification of competences in off-grid Solar PV

Lomé, 22 September 2025 – The official launching ceremony of the preparatory training for the certification of competences in off-grid solar photovoltaic installations (ECSES Certification) was held on Monday, 22 September 2025, at KYA ENERGY GROUP, Lomé, Togo.

The event brought together several officials, including Mr. Abdoul Kafarou AKONDO, Head of Energy Planning and Regulation, representing the Ministry of Mines and Energy Resources of Togo, and Ms. Eléonore Adjoavi SOTONGBE, Business Administrator at the ECOWAS National Office, representing the FRSD National Advisory Committee.

On behalf of the Executive Director of ECREEE, Mr. Guillaume Fulbert KOUHIE highlighted the importance of the ECSES certification as a regional quality standard for photovoltaic systems, commending the commitment of the Togolese authorities and GIZ. Ms. Eléonore Adjoavi SOTONGBE, from the ECOWAS National Office, emphasized the inclusive dimension of the FRSD, which supports the integration of youth and women in rural areas. Prof. Yao AZOUMAH, Director of KYA ENERGY GROUP, stressed that ECSES certification is a lever for professional integration and socio-economic stability in rural communities.

In his remarks, Mr. Abdoul Kafarou AKONDO recalled that this training represents a strategic opportunity to equip young professionals with the necessary skills for their full participation in the energy transition in Togo and across the ECOWAS region.

This initiative falls under the Regional Fund for Stabilization and Development in ECOWAS Member States (FRSD), led by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It aims to equip participants with key skills, both to succeed in the certification exam and to build a sustainable career as regionally certified installation technicians.