About Us

Advancing cutting-edge solar research by empowering the next generation of innovators, scientists, and clean energy leaders.

The Problem We Solve

Africa hosts roughly 60% of the world’s strongest solar resources yet continues to rely heavily on imported PV modules.

Many solar products entering African markets are not designed for local climate conditions or durability.

Africa’s solar policies increasingly support local manufacturing, but the research capacity required to sustain it remains limited.

Without strong photovoltaic research ecosystems, local solar manufacturing struggles to scale.

Our Solution

Design for African conditions

We support applied research that produces solar products tuned for local climates and durability.

Build local R&D capacity

We train early career researchers and engineers in manufacturable research methods, lab protocols and scale-aware design so local teams can develop and sustain advanced PV know-how.

Translate research into production

Through technical mentorship, partner testing and the research-to-demonstration pathway, SIRF moves validated ideas into prototype assembly and factory trials so manufacturers can adopt them quickly.

Scale competitive domestic manufacturing

We connect research outputs with manufacturers, policy makers and funders to reduce import dependence and grow resilient local solar supply chains.

Our team brings decades of experience in energy research and transformation

The fellowship brings together senior academics, industry engineers and research leaders with proven track records in photovoltaic science and manufacturing. Modules are taught by visiting professors and experienced practitioners from partner universities and companies, together with RETTI’s in-house R&D team led by PhD researchers and postdoctoral staff.

Glory Oguegbu

Program Lead

Founder and CEO of RETTI, leading clean energy workforce development and solar manufacturing initiatives in Africa

Engr. Fatima Elfatouaki (Ph.D)

Program Coordinator, SIRF

Director, Solar Perovskite Cells Applications at RETTI R&D, coordinating program delivery and research supervision.

Engr. Emmanuel Aremu (Ph.D)

Academic Lead, SIRF

Head of RETTI Research and Development, overseeing academic quality, research design, and final technical review.

Engr. Ngagoum Ndalloka Zita (PhD candidate)

Program Faculty & Academic Reviewer

Doctoral researcher in Energy Engineering, contributing to reliability, circularity, and technical review.

Our Partners

The Solar Innovators Research Fellowship is an education and research programme run by the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute with support from the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and in partnership with academic institutions and private sector companies.