Mali and Niger are next on the list of ECOWAS countries for CERMI. The organization intends to effectively strengthen its regional positioning in West Africa through the establishment of partnerships with public and private institutions and with the goal of promoting energy transition and efficiency.

A delegation represented by CERMI's Executive Director, Luís de Pina, and the "Regional Anchor Strengthening Project" Coordinator, Jansénio Delgado, paid a visit to these two West African countries, and the results were “frankly positive”.

"Considering the areas we discussed, our common interests and shared objectives that Cabo Verde, Mali and Niger have identified for the sector, I am able to say that this mission was very productive from our standpoint", said Luís de Pina, revealing that the institutions that they have contacted have shown "a lot of interest" in establishing partnerships with CERMI.

Although each country has its own characteristics, the needs are identical, he said. He identified the “shortage of skilled manpower” in the Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance field as a common reality which needs to be addressed, and where “CERMI can contribute through its training capacity and expertise”.

"There are great opportunities and everything will depend on our dynamism and economic diplomacy, as well as the capacity to create products and services aimed at these countries, so that we can establish productive partnerships for all parties involved", said CERMI's Executive Director.

Luís de Pina explained that there are many institutions that already work in the same areas of activity as CERMI in the ECOWAS region, however it is necessary to “raise the level of qualifications and training of manpower”, an area where there are “huge challenges” that the Center can help overcome.

Overall, he said, there are three or four ECOWAS countries with clear strategies regarding Renewable Energy, while the rest are at the beginning stage, looking to take the first steps, which is precisely where CERMI can help with its experience in Cabo Verde, in coordination with governments, ECOWAS and competent agencies in the community.

“In general, we have received a warm welcome in all ECOWAS countries and local institutions have shown themselves to be open to possible cooperation with CERMI”, said Luís de Pina, adding that everyone greatly appreciates the technological level, human competence，education and training conditions that the Center provides, as well as the ability to create and implement projects”.

Regarding CERMI's competitiveness to compete with similar institutions in the ECOWAS market, the Executive Director has no doubts that the Center “has the conditions to do this”, but considers it essential that other Cabo Verdean entities also play their part, for example the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing strong economic diplomacy, as experienced in the case of the Operational Center for the Information Society (NOSI).

The mission to Mali and Niger, took place within the framework of CERMI's Regional Anchor Strengthening Project in ECOWAS (CVE/881), with funding and technical assistance from the European Union and Luxembourg.

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