Enel Foundation 2025 Open Africa Power Program for Young African Leaders

Deadline: May 16, 2025

Enel Foundation 2025 Open Africa Power Program for Young African Leaders: Enel Foundation 2025 Open Africa Power Program for Young African Leaders, As Africa navigates the complex terrain of development, one of the most pressing challenges it faces is access to sustainable and reliable energy. While the continent is rich in renewable energy sources—sunlight, wind, hydro, and geothermal—over 600 million people still live without electricity. This significant energy gap stifles socio-economic growth, limits educational opportunities, and impedes access to healthcare. Recognizing the potential of Africa’s youth to drive the continent’s energy transformation, the Enel Foundation, in collaboration with prestigious academic and development partners, launched the Open Africa Power Program (OAP).

Now in its 2025 edition, the Enel Foundation Open Africa Power Program continues its mission to train a new generation of African leaders committed to solving energy challenges across the continent. The program blends technical expertise, policy understanding, and leadership skills to equip participants with the tools necessary to lead Africa’s energy transition.

Application Is Available Now

This article explores the Enel Foundation, the objectives and structure of the Open Africa Power Program 2025, the application process, benefits for participants, long-term impact, and why it remains one of the most influential educational and leadership platforms for young African professionals in the energy sector.

About the Enel Foundation

Mission and Vision

The Enel Foundation is the research and education arm of Enel Group, a multinational energy company headquartered in Italy. Since its establishment, the Foundation has focused on the role of clean energy in promoting sustainable development, with a special emphasis on the social, economic, and technological implications of the global energy transition.

Its vision is rooted in the belief that access to sustainable and clean energy is a fundamental human right and a pillar of equitable growth. Through high-level research, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement, the Foundation works toward accelerating the adoption of renewable energy across the globe.

Focus on Africa

Africa holds a central place in Enel Foundation’s strategy. With one of the youngest populations in the world, the continent presents an opportunity to implement innovative and scalable energy solutions. The Enel Foundation recognizes that investing in human capital is crucial to unlocking Africa’s energy potential. Hence, its focus on education programs such as the Open Africa Power initiative.

Open Africa Power Program: Overview

What is Open Africa Power?

The Open Africa Power Program is an annual educational initiative aimed at empowering emerging African leaders in the energy sector. Launched in 2018, the program is designed to provide selected participants with comprehensive knowledge of the electricity sector, covering both renewable and non-renewable sources, power generation, transmission, distribution, and regulation.

The program’s unique value lies in its interdisciplinary approach, merging scientific, economic, legal, and policy insights to give participants a well-rounded understanding of the energy landscape.

Objectives

The primary goals of the Open Africa Power Program are:

Empower African talent to lead the continent’s energy transition.
Bridge the knowledge gap in energy systems between Africa and other regions.
Foster cross-border collaborations in energy education and policy.
Promote gender equality by ensuring the participation of female professionals.
Build a network of energy leaders who can influence policy and practice across Africa.

Open Africa Power 2025: What’s New?

As the program evolves, each year brings new features, partnerships, and expanded content. The 2025 edition promises several innovative updates that reflect the rapidly changing energy environment:

Increased Cohort Size: The number of selected participants will be expanded to accommodate more young leaders across the continent.
Green Hydrogen Module: A dedicated segment on green hydrogen—emerging as a promising clean energy solution—will be included.
Climate Resilience: Courses will delve deeper into the intersection of energy and climate adaptation strategies.
Women in Energy: The 2025 edition will spotlight women’s roles in energy with targeted mentorship and visibility initiatives.
Alumni Accelerator Lab: For the first time, previous alumni will engage with new participants to share experiences and launch collaborative projects.

Program Structure

The Open Africa Power 2025 is structured into several key phases designed to deliver both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

1. Online Learning Phase (January – March 2025)

Participants begin with a series of virtual lectures and assignments hosted on an interactive platform. This stage includes:

Fundamentals of Power Systems
Renewable Energy Technologies
Sustainable Grid Management
Energy Economics and Finance
International Energy Policies and Regulations

The online format is flexible, allowing participants to balance their learning with their professional responsibilities.

2. African Residential Module (April – June 2025)

This in-person module takes place in selected African cities, such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, or Cape Town. The focus is on:

Local Energy Challenges and Solutions
Site Visits to Power Plants and Innovation Hubs
Group Case Studies and Policy Simulations
Networking with African Energy Leaders and Policymakers

Participants are encouraged to apply classroom learning to real-world energy issues prevalent in their countries.

3. Italian Residential Module (August – September 2025)

A select number of top-performing participants from the first two phases are invited to Italy for advanced training. Hosted in partnership with top institutions like the University of Pisa and Politecnico di Torino, this phase includes:

Deep Dives into EU-Africa Energy Relations
Innovation in Renewable Technologies
Leadership Training Workshops
Interaction with European Institutions and Energy Startups

4. Alumni Engagement and Lifelong Learning

Upon graduation, participants join the Open Africa Power Alumni Network, which offers:

Continued access to webinars and learning content
Opportunities for internships and consultancies
Seed funding for energy-focused startups
Invitation to the annual OAP Alumni Summit

Eligibility and Application Process

Who Can Apply?

The Open Africa Power 2025 is open to African nationals who meet the following criteria:

Aged between 24 and 35
Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, energy, law, economics, or a related field
Demonstrated interest or experience in the energy sector
Strong academic record and leadership potential
Fluency in English

Women and individuals from underrepresented regions are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

The application process typically opens in November 2024 and includes:

Online Application Form
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Personal Statement
Academic Transcripts
Recommendation Letters
Proof of Nationality (ID or Passport)

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for a virtual interview.

Benefits of Participating

The Enel Foundation Open Africa Power Program offers a plethora of advantages to successful applicants:

Educational Advancement

Participants receive a world-class education that equips them with the necessary skills to lead Africa’s energy future. The curriculum combines academic rigor with practical exposure to real-world challenges and innovations.

Global Exposure

Through the Italian Residential Module and online seminars with international experts, participants gain access to global best practices in energy policy, infrastructure, and innovation.

Networking and Mentorship

Being part of a high-impact network of African energy professionals and international mentors opens doors to collaborations, job opportunities, and long-term partnerships.

Career Development

The program enhances participants’ career prospects through exposure to top employers, think tanks, and multilateral development institutions.

Alumni Ecosystem

Graduates become part of a growing community of over 400 alumni spread across Africa and the world, many of whom occupy strategic roles in government, private sector, and NGOs.

Impact of the Open Africa Power Program

Transforming Lives and Communities

Alumni from previous editions have gone on to:

Found energy startups and social enterprises
Join ministries and influence national energy policies
Work with international organizations such as the UN, IRENA, and the World Bank
Win global awards for innovation in energy access and climate resilience

Success Stories

Naomi from Kenya used the skills gained from the program to start a mini-grid project in rural Turkana, now serving over 5,000 people.
Kwame from Ghana, a 2019 alum, was appointed to the national energy commission and led reforms in solar energy licensing.
Fatima from Nigeria co-founded an all-women solar company after the program and now employs 45 technicians across three states.

These are just a few of the many examples of how the program has ignited real, tangible change across the continent.

Strategic Partners

The success of Open Africa Power relies on its collaboration with globally renowned institutions such as:

University of Cape Town
Strathmore University Energy Research Centre
Politecnico di Milano
Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)
RES4Africa Foundation
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

These partnerships ensure that the program delivers cutting-edge content and access to influential stakeholders.

The Way Forward: Powering Africa’s Future

The energy challenges facing Africa require solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. Programs like the Open Africa Power 2025 are not merely educational initiatives—they are engines of transformation. By investing in young professionals, the Enel Foundation is creating a ripple effect that strengthens institutions, influences policy, and drives grassroots energy innovation.

As we move toward a greener, more inclusive energy future, the voices and actions of young African leaders will become increasingly vital. The Enel Foundation, through the Open Africa Power Program, is ensuring that these leaders are not only heard but are also equipped to lead.

Conclusion

Enel Foundation 2025 Open Africa Power Program for Young African Leaders, the Enel Foundation 2025 Open Africa Power Program is more than a training opportunity—it is a launchpad for visionary African leaders determined to shape the continent’s energy destiny. By bridging knowledge, fostering innovation, and building pan-African networks, the program empowers its fellows to become architects of a brighter, more sustainable Africa.

For young African professionals aspiring to lead the continent’s clean energy transition, this is a call to action: apply, learn, lead, and power Africa forward.

ByNweke Ezekiel I