CFAs: WOCEWA Scholarship and Green Jobs Program for Women in STEM

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) has received funding of CAD 1.5 million from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, to implement a project entitled Women and Clean Energy in West Africa (WOCEWA). WOCEWA has been designed to contribute to the objectives of the ECOWAS Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access, which aims to address barriers to the equal participation of women and men in the expansion of energy access in West Africa. The project is specifically aimed at achieving the policy objective of gender mainstreaming in the private sector and increasing women’s participation as consumers and suppliers of clean energy.

Women have always played a vital role in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and continue to make significant contributions to the energy sector. However, they are still underrepresented in these fields with only 22% of women reportedly employed in traditional energy industries like oil and gas and fewer women reaching senior management roles in the energy sector than in the broader economy (IRENA). There are many reasons why more women are not involved in STEM and energy.

The initiative will sponsor a total of six (6) young women from West Africa to complete their master’s programs. These young women will also be funded to work in the ECOWAS energy sector as interns for a period of six (6) months – increasing their ability to find employment in the energy sector.

The WOCEWA project will provide scholarships to young West African women planning to go for a master’s program in an energy related field. Scholarship will be provided to young women having excellent academic record. Furthermore, these young women will have the option of being placed for internships at ECREEE, the West African Power Pool (WAPP), ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), ECOWAS Gender, Development Centre (EGDC), the other specialized agencies of ECOWAS Commission and ECREEE partners.

Funding Information

• WOCEWA Scholarship will be follow as:
  • The scholarship has a maximum value of US$3200 per year for a maximum of two (2) years per person. The funds may cover:
    • Tuition fee and health insurance: Tuition fees and health insurance are capped at US$2500. Fees will be paid directly by ECREEE to the training institution. If the tuition fees and health insurance exceed this amount, the applicant is responsible for the remaining balance. Conversely, if the tuition is below the maximum, any excess funds will be transferred to the applicant.
    • A computer with a maximum value of US$700
  • The Internship program at ECREEE or one of ECOWAS institutions in the energy sector will last for six (6) months covering travel, insurance and subsistence. The intern will receive a monthly stipend of $800 to cover expenses.
• Scholars must maintain a high-grade following their first-year master’s degree exams to be provided scholarship in their second year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants for WOCEWA Scholarship must meet the following general criteria:
  • Be a citizen of one of the ECOWAS Member States.
  • Applicants must have obtained a registration in the first year of master’s degree in one university on institution in West Africa.
  • Be female with background in STEM having an energy focus.
  • The maximum age to apply for this scholarship is 32 years old at the end of year 2024.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5/5, i.e., Upper Second-Class (equivalent of an average of 14/20 for the francophone system)
  • Does not have an existing scholarship from another organization.

For more information, visit ECREEE.