Akon Launches Academy To Help Provide Electricity To 600 Million People In Africa

By Joseph D'Urso

LONDON, May 21 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - S enegalese-American singer Akon, whose Akon Lighting Africa initiative aims to bring electricity to some of the 600 million Africans who lack it, announced on Thursday the launch of a new "Solar Academy" for the continent.

The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Bamako, Mali's capital, will try to give African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power. European experts will help supply training equipment and programs.

The academy will aim to teach people how to install and maintain solar-powered electricity systems as well as micro grids, "which are really taking off in rural Africa," Akon Lighting Africa said.

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