In a groundbreaking move to boost renewable energy expertise in West Africa, Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has signed a $10 million partnership agreement with Deep Solar Ghana to train 9,000 Nigerian youths in microgrid solar installation. The initiative, which is the largest of its kind in the region, will provide hands-on training in solar energy deployment, maintenance, and entrepreneurship, empowering the next generation of green energy professionals.

Speaking at the official signing ceremony in Accra, Deep Solar Ghana’s CEO, Joe Oteng, described the project as a historic milestone in African energy training. “This partnership between Deep Solar and Nigeria’s FRSC is unprecedented in both scale and ambition. Training 9,000 young Nigerians in microgrid solar installation is a bold step towards a sustainable future, not only for Nigeria but for the entire West African region. By equipping young professionals with technical expertise, we are accelerating the transition to cleaner energy and creating thousands of new jobs in the process.”

Deputy Corps Marshal Adeyemi Oluwatoba Bamidele, who led the initiative on behalf of FRSC, emphasised the transformative impact of the program. “This is not just a training program—it is an investment in the future of Nigeria and West Africa. The world is moving towards renewable energy, and we must equip our youth with the right skills to lead this transition. By leveraging Ghana’s expertise in solar microgrids, we are ensuring that Nigeria remains at the forefront of clean energy technology in Africa. This initiative will not only create jobs but also support Nigeria’s broader road infrastructure safety and energy security goals.”

Renewable energy experts in Ghana have lauded the initiative as a model for regional cooperation. Kwame Asare-Mensah, a leading energy analyst, praised the FRSC’s approach, calling it a game-changer for West African energy policy. “Nigeria’s leadership in this space is commendable. If more West African nations take similar steps, we could accelerate the region’s transition to sustainable energy, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and unreliable grid power. Weaning low voltage usage like street lighting from their national Grid to solar is a creative initiative and the first in scale in the West African region”.

Similarly, Dr. Nana Afriyie, a professor of renewable energy at the University of Ghana, highlighted the scalability and replicability of the program. “This partnership proves that public-sector agencies can work with private companies to drive real, large-scale change. Nigeria’s FRSC has set a precedent that Ghana, Senegal, and other regional players should follow to enhance skills development in renewable energy.”

With the first batch of trainees set to begin their coursework in the coming months, this collaboration between FRSC and Deep Solar Ghana marks the beginning of a new era in West African clean energy development. Observers predict that the success of this program could pave the way for similar large-scale solar energy training initiatives across the continent, fostering regional expertise and energy independence.