The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in partnership with Ecobank Nigeria and the World Bank, have trained over 100 entrepreneurs in Nigeria via a specialised program focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the off-grid photovoltaic solar energy sector.
The empowerment programme is part of the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), which strives to aid the development of a regional market for standalone solar energy systems.
ROGEAP is sponsored by the World Bank, with additional support from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Directorate General of International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Government of the Netherlands.
Speaking during a three-day Entrepreneurship Business Training held in Lagos, organised in collaboration with Ecobank, Senior Adviser at the ECOWAS Commission’s ROGEAP, El Hadji Sylla, revealed that Nigerian SMEs have already benefited from grants totalling $800,000 under the project, and this has led to their increased participation in the off-grid solar energy value chain.
According to him, the capacity-building workshops, conducted in both Abuja and Lagos State, will go a long way towards improving the technical and financial capabilities of SMEs concentrating on solar energy. He noted that the clear objective remains to guarantee development and long-term sustainability for these businesses in the renewable energy sector.
Confirming further collaboration between ECOWAS and Ecobank Group, he announced that both organisations are working on establishing mechanisms that would help the financial institution to provide both technical and financial support to SMEs in the solar energy ecosystem, while extending direct credit lines to eligible businesses.
“This year, we have worked closely with Ecobank Nigeria to align solar-focused SME portfolios with the bank’s financing requirements. Our goal is to ensure that the submitted projects are not only technically feasible but also bankable,” Sylla said.
Team Lead at ROGEAP’s Entrepreneurship Support Facilities, Salamatu Baba Tunwzang, also said that the program is not restricted to technical training alone, and participating SMEs will also be prepared to access ROGEAP grants and other funding opportunities.
“When businesses join our network, they gain access to both technical assistance and financial resources We also build the capacity of technical installers, who can equally benefit from these opportunities. It’s a comprehensive support system—they receive funding, technical training, market intelligence, and valuable networking opportunities for collaboration,” she said
Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, then reaffirmed the crucial role SMEs play in driving economic sustainability and inclusion all over the country. He described SMEs as the lifeblood of any economy, stating that they contribute more than 80 per cent of employment across West Africa.
