At the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum on May 21, the R&B star Akon announced the creation of a "solar academy" in Mali, adding job training to his company's work bringing solar power to rural communities around the continent.

More on the company: http://akonlightingafrica.com
The U.N. SE4ALL Forum: http://se4allforum.org

The technology partner Solektra: http://solektra-international.com

More on the underlying issues at The New York Times blog Dot Earth: http://j.mp/dotenergyall

Background from Akon Lighting Africa:
As the second United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum (SE4A) paid tribute in its closing session to the progress generated by the Akon Lighting Africa initiative, its founders Akon, Thione Niang and Samba Bathily were already looking to the future and next steps. They have just announced the creation of a “Solar Academy” to develop skills and expertise in this field in Africa. This professional training center of excellence is a first on the continent and targets future African entrepreneurs, engineers and technicians. It will open its doors this summer in Bamako, Mali and welcome any Africans wanting to help develop the use of solar power.

This project is being introduced under the patronage of Solektra international, a partner of Akon Lighting Africa, in collaboration some European experts who will supply training equipment and programs. It aims to reinforce expertise in every aspect of installing and maintaining solar-powered electric systems and micro-grids in particular, which are really taking off in rural Africa. With its 320 days sunshine a year, the continent is perfectly suited to the development of solar power, particularly since 622 million Africans still do not have access to electricity. Read the rest: http://akonlightingafrica.com/next-st...