Deadline: 10-Apr-23

Enel Foundation and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) are excited to launch the call for applications for the 2023 edition of the Open Africa Power, the programme aimed at empowering women and youth to lead the clean energy transition of Africa.

Open Africa Power 2023 comprises of online and residential modules from academic institutions such the University of Cape Town, Politecnico di Torino, Politecnico di Milano, SDA Bocconi, Florence School of Regulation, and Venice International University. The Programme, as in past editions, receives significant support from their institutional parter, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Program General Structure

• Digital African Module: State of the Art and Capstone Project (May – June)
  • This 24-hour module will occur between early May and end of June, 2023. It will take place in digital form only. The module, delivered in collaboration with the UCT Graduate School of Business, will explore the fundamentals of the global electricity sector through the lenses of sustainable development goals with specific sessions dedicated to the nexus between energy and gender balance. It will cover the following areas:
    • Networks technology, regulation, economics;
    • Renewables technology, regulation, economics;
    • ICT digitalization of the electricity industry
• FSR Online Course on SDG7 and Exams
  • The Online Course on Regulation for Universal Access to Energy, delivered by the Florence School of Regulation, will start on mid May and will end on mid October, 2023. 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.
• Italian Module: New Frontiers
  • The Italian Module comprises two separate learning moments:
    •  A 27-hour online course from early January to early March 2024 where Italian academic partners (SDA Bocconi, Politecnico di Torino, Politecnico di Milano, Venice International University) will deliver lectures on the new frontiers of crucial topics such as Additive Manufacturing, ICT applied to Networks’ Management, Economic and Environmental Impact Accounting, Renewables potential and climate change, Decision-making under uncertainty and the key drivers of the energy transition;
    • A full residential week that will take part in Italy in March 2024. Participants will have direct experience of the new frontiers of the electricity sector, through a number of site visits to innovative power plants, experimental and training labs as well as control rooms. Theywill be also called to actively interact with prestigious academic partners and research representatives, meet with government, business, and non-profit leaders, engaging in dialogues around the clean energy future of the African Continent.
• Give Back Module
  • Upon completion of the Italian module, The entire cohort of alumni will be involved in teaching activities related to Enel Foundation education initiatives in Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Open Africa Power selection process is an open, merit-based, competition.
• To be eligible, candidates must meet the following criteria:
  • Be between the ages of 24 and 35 by May 1st, 2023;
  • Be a citizen of an African country;
  • Currently resident in an African country or planning to relocate in Africa within the end of 2024;
  • Be eligible to travel to Italy. All candidates are invited to check well in advance the   procedure applicable to their specific case;
  • Having graduated by May 1st, 2023 from a PhD, MSc, LLM, MPP or MBA degree. Undergraduate students, people with only a BSc degree or people who are currently enrolled in a master’s degree (i.e. Graduate students) are not eligible for this program. At least one degree (PhD, MSc, BSc, LLM, MPP or MBA) 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 (CEFR C1 level), and be able to demonstrate this via an official language certificate or completion of at least one degree completely taught in English;
  • Willingness to promote gender equality and women´s empowerment within and beyond the programme.
  • Recognizing that women play a critical role in the energy sector, but they are often left out of decision-making and have restricted access to energy education, employment opportunities and finance, their participation in the OAP is highly encouraged. Enel Foundation and SEforALL will ensure that 50% of the participants are women.

For more information, visit Open Africa Power 2023.