Within the framework of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies of  ECOWAS and the related National Action Plans of member countries, ECREEE with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), developed a regional certification system for Sustainable Energy skills. Other technical and financial partners, such as the EU, World Bank, and AfDB joined to support the regional certification system. 

The regional certification system aims to promote the professional skills of Designers, Installers, Inspectors, and other stakeholders of Sustainable Energy in the ECOWAS region. It is based on ISO/IEC 17024:2012 (Conformity assessment – General requirements for certification bodies certifying persons) and other international Standards. 

Certification of sustainable energy professional plays a critical role in ECOWAS’ objective to ensure clean and sustainable energy for all. In this sense the strategic plan 2023-2027 of ECREEE highlights the Regional Certification System, aiming at positioning ECREEE as a Certification Body for Sustainable Energy Skills by 2027, aligned with regional and international standards. 

The regional certification program was founded with the aim of filling shortfalls that have been hampering the sustainable energy market in the region, due to the shortage of skilled professionals, resulting in low quality installations of RE and the inadequate quality of equipment and materials used. 

The ECOWAS Certification in Sustainable Energy Skills (ECSES) aims to promote the professional skills of Designers, Installers, Inspectors, and other stakeholders of Sustainable Energy in West Africa and find adequate solutions to avoid inadequate quality of equipment and installations. 

Completed

• Carry out 8 Regional Certification Exams level 1 for PV solar in 5 countries.
• Development of the Business Plan.
• Establishment of the Tripartite Consultative Framework of the ECSES.
• Revision of bylwas, guidelines and the internal regulations of the regional certification body.
• Renewal of the members of the Regional Certification Technical Committee.
• Selection of training centers and exam centers for PV mini-grid.

Ongoing

• Continuation and extension of PV solar level 1 Certification.
• Operationalization of Mini-Grid Certification scheme.
• Development of the Regional Energy Efficiency certification scheme.
• Development of the Regional Solar thermal certification scheme.
• Reinforcement of the Gender Component of the certification system.
• Implementation of the online platform for exams and e-learning.

Under Preparation

• Capacity Building of the ECREEE certification Staff.
• Regional Accreditation of ECREEE as Certification Body.
• Extension of the Certification System to other renewable energy sources in addition to solar photovoltaics
• Extension of the Regional Certification Program to level 3 related to solar power plants connected to grid.
• Development of Communication Plan on the certification system across national and regional networks.

Considering ECBSES sustainability objectives for the 2027 horizon, some results are expected to be achieved, such as:

• Finalization of the pilot phase of the Regional Certification System.
• Consolidation of the Program within the framework of the ECREEE Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
• Become a Sustainable Energy Certification Body aligned with regional and international standards.

As such, we intend to achieve the following results:

• Certified off-grid PV system professionals in accordance with regional and international standards.
• Credible offsustaineble energy professionals recognized in all member states.
• RE systems with guaranteed operation and equipment quality.
• Decrease in unskilled labor and poor-quality systems in the region.
• Credible Mini-grid professionals certified and recognized in all member states.
• Design, installation, and monitoring of a quality Mini grid system carried out by competent and certified professionals.
• Accredit ECREEE as Energy Certification Body aligned with regional and international standards.
• Competent and certified professionals in Energy Management.
• Competent and certified professionals in Energy Audit.
• Trainers from training and exams centers prepared in SE.
• ECBSES will have a strategic plan according to international best practices.
• Have a secure and robust e-learning platform to provide all the information about the regional certification system andenablesonline training and exams.