Monrovia, Liberia: The Government of Liberia through the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) in collaboration with the National Authorizing Office of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning announces the onboarding of 24 engineering students and recent graduates under the Light Up Southeast Internship Program, a key component of the European Union-funded rural electrification initiative targeting Southeast Liberia. The formal onboarding and orientation event is scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at the RREA Office on Newport Street, Monrovia.
The selection of interns followed a transparent, merit-based recruitment process that was guided by score rankings, university representation, and gender inclusion. The internship program aims to empower Liberia’s emerging energy professionals by providing them with opportunities to app\ly their academic knowledge in practical settings, while also contributing to the acceleration of rural access to modern, sustainable power.
May 9 also marks Europe Day, commemorating peace and unity across Europe and, in 2025, the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the foundational moment for the European Union. Hosting the onboarding on this symbolic day underscores the profound and positive impact of EU development cooperation beyond its borders. The Light Up Southeast project exemplifies how the EU’s investment in clean energy is transforming lives and livelihoods in Liberia’s most underserved regions.
The event will be graced by Her Excellency Nona Deprez, Head of the EU Delegation to Liberia and attended by key representatives from the Government of Liberia, development partners, energy sector actors, and civil society. It will also serve as a platform to celebrate the partnership between the European Union and the Government of Liberia, showcasing their joint commitment to sustainable development, youth empowerment, and energy access.
“This internship initiative is more than just a learning opportunity. It’s a bridge between global cooperation and local transformation,” said Ambassador Deprez. “Through the EU’s support, the Government of Liberia is not only electrifying towns and villages, but we are also investing in Liberia’s future engineers and innovators.”
The interns will be placed with licensed contractors implementing rural mini-grid projects, where they will gain hands-on field experience in design, installation, maintenance, and community engagement.
Partners in Liberia
RREA collaborates with a broad network of international development partners, including the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), USAID/Power Africa, UNDP, GIZ, and Norad. These partners provide financial, technical, and policy support for rural electrification.
Domestically, RREA works closely with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other key stakeholders in the energy sector. The agency also partners with private sector actors such as Jungle Energy Power, Deenam Biomass Company, and solar companies like EcoPower Liberia and Liberia Energy Network, alongside civil society and NGOs involved in energy access, climate resilience, and community engagement.
