Kartel Energy Limited has trained over 1,000 solar technicians, dealers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria this year, betting that closing the country's skills shortage will unlock faster growth in the renewable energy sector.
The company ran its 2026 Technical Masterclass from mid-May to late June, moving through Benin City, Kaduna, Kano, Abuja, Ibadan and Asaba. The free program combined classroom lessons with hands-on equipment demonstrations for installers and solar enthusiasts.
Nigeria's solar market has grown rapidly as homes and businesses turn away from an unreliable national grid. Yet industry leaders say the supply of skilled technicians hasn't kept up with demand for increasingly sophisticated installations.
This year's training focused on high-voltage solar systems, covering their setup, applications and the business opportunities they unlock for contractors chasing larger contracts. Ola Ogunsemowo, Kartel Energy's chief executive, said the move reflects changing customer expectations.
"At Kartel Energy, we believe that empowering people with knowledge is just as important as providing quality products," he said. "Through the Masterclass, we are investing in the people who will drive the future of clean energy in Nigeria."
Ogunsemowo told reporters that as adoption spreads, customers want systems beyond basic backup power, pushing installers to master advanced inverter technology and higher-voltage setups. Poor installations carry safety risks and dent confidence in solar power as a genuine grid alternative, he warned.
"The Masterclass provides participants with practical knowledge that keeps them ahead of industry trends while improving the quality and safety of solar installations across the country," Ogunsemowo noted. "Ultimately, a better-trained workforce translates into greater customer confidence and a stronger renewable energy ecosystem."
Kartel charged no fees to prevent cost from blocking access to technical training, a barrier the company argues has historically slowed Nigeria's power sector workforce development. Attendees also studied products from sister brands GenixGreen, Luxwatt, Ensky and Chisage ESS, spanning residential, commercial and industrial equipment.
The chief executive expects the training initiative to bear fruit within five years, creating technicians capable of meeting international installation standards and launching their own businesses. He positioned the effort as part of a broader push to tackle Nigeria's energy crisis through distributed renewable capacity.
Ogunsemowo urged graduates to apply modern techniques and maintain professional standards on every job, saying operators committed to continuous learning will thrive as the market matures. Kartel Energy, founded in 2019, supplies inverters, lithium battery systems and solar panels engineered for Nigerian conditions, including grid instability and voltage fluctuations.
