Enel Foundation Open Africa Power Program 2021 for African Students

Application Deadline: April 6th 2021

Enel Foundation announced the call for applications for the Open Africa Power 2021 program, which this year will begin in May.

Open Africa Power is an education venture initiated by Enel Foundation in 2018, in partnership with top Academic institutions such as Strathmore University and University of Nairobi in Kenya, University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, University of Cape Town in South Africa, and Italian institutions such as Politecnico di Torino, Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi University, Florence School of Regulation, and Venice International University.

The call for applications will officially remain open from March 4 to April 6,to high-profile African students undergoing or having completed Master’s, MBA or PhD studies in African universities. After receiving more than 750 applications last year, Open Africa Power is welcoming candidates who want to acquire a holistic know-how of the electricity sector, enhancing their technical, regulatory and business skills required to work in the private and public sector towards the electrification of Africa. African Nationals currently living abroad, but wanting to relocate back to Africa, will also be admitted, as one of the program’s aims is to contribute to talent retention in the continent.

The 2021 edition will engage up to 60 African students and alumni in a series of professional development and leadership activities, comprising online and (if possible) residential modules.

 After visiting Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa in previous editions, Open Africa Power 2021 will stage its program online, for a smooth and safe experience for all its participants, despite the current global health emergency.

The ambition of the program is to empower and retain African talent in a crucial sector like energy, of paramount importance to unlock Africa’s sustainable future. The program offers knowledge on all aspects of sustainable electricity production and distribution to the best and most motivated PhD, Master’s, and MBA students and alumni. The program also aims to create a networking platform for participants in order to maximize impact.

. Eligibility
The Open Africa Power selection process is an open, merit-based, competition. The application
period opens on 4
th March, 2021, and closes on 6
th April, 2021.
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Be between the ages of 24 and 35 by May 3rd, 2021;
• Be a citizen of an African country;
• Currently resident in an African country or planning to relocate in Africa within the end of 2021;
• Be eligible to travel to Italy. All candidates are invited to check well in advance the procedure applicable to their specific case;
• Having graduated from or being a student (having an admission letter is also acceptable) of a PhD, MSc, LLM, MPP or MBA degree. Undergraduate students or people who are not at least enrolled in a master’s degree are not eligible for this program. One of the two degrees (Bachelor or Masters) must be from an African University;
• Have competences and a demonstrated interest to pursue a career – in private or public sector – in the electricity space at large;
• Be fully proficient in English

. Program Structure
• Online Module and Exams
The online module Regulation for Universal Access to Energy will start on May 3rd and will end on July 10th, 2021 (September 20th ,2021 for the 15 top performers). This course will enable the learners to gain a comprehensive vision on how to design appropriate policy and regulatory framework needed to ensure sustainable energy for all. Successful completion of this course is required to be selected for the Italian Module.
• Digital African Module: State of the Art
This module will occur between May 3rd and July 10th, 2021. It will take place in digital form only, due to the impact of the current global pandemic. The module will explore the fundamentals of the global electricity sector through the lenses of sustainable development goals.
It will cover the following areas:
o Networks technology, regulation, economics;
o Renewables technology, regulation, economics;
o ICT digitalization of the electricity industry

Italian Module: New Frontiers
Lasting two weeks in October 2021, this module will take place in Italy (decision subject to the evolution of the current pandemic situation). Participants will explore the new frontiers
of the electricity sector, sharing knowledge and experience first-hand innovation. They will be called to actively interact with prestigious academic partners and research representatives, meet with government, business, and non-profit leaders; engage in a dialogue around issues of Africa’s clean energy future; and visit sites where innovative
technologies are a reality in the electricity space.
• Give Back Module
Upon completion of the Italian module, alumni will be involved in teaching activities related to Enel Foundation education initiatives in Africa

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Enel Foundation Open Africa Power Program 2021