Finding Data Analyst roles in Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Sector

This article was written by Kenneth Dagogo

It is no longer news that stable power supply in any economy can go a long way to fast-track the growth of that economy. Global trends show that many countries in Europe, America and Asia are switching to renewable energy for power generation. It was only a matter of time before this switch began to require IT expertise as advocates of a decentralised power sector began to formulate business models around it.

Africa, a continent known for the enormous amount of sunshine it receives, is gradually catching up on this switch. Renewable energy companies are beginning to require IT expertise at different levels to expand the scope of their businesses. Some of these skills border around Data Analytics, Web Development, UI/UX Design, Product Design and Software Engineering.

The renewable energy (energy access) sector is one that is relatively new in Africa, as a result, not many people have a wealth of experience in this space. Many renewable energy startups will readily recruit entry-level IT professionals with very little experience for internship positions. The purpose of this is to give these young professionals a platform to grow and come up with innovative solutions that will positively drive the growth of the industry in the future.

With the immense IT talent in Nigeria, the renewable energy sector employs a “Catch Them Young” approach in sourcing for and recruiting expertise that will spearhead the affairs of the sector in the coming years.

The requirements for internship roles in the renewable energy industry are quite similar to what is obtainable in the Tech and FinTech spaces, except the level of experience required is considerably lower, from “no experience at all” to as many years as possible. This is because the sector aims to recruit fresh talent and equip them with the right knowledge and expertise they need to ensure that the renewable energy space becomes the success it is projected to be in the future.

Based on experience, here’s what you should know and possess when seeking data analyst roles in Africa’s renewable energy sector:

FORMAL EDUCATION

Usually, a degree in any of Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or related courses is required. Emphasis is usually not placed on grade divisions; however, a good grade is very important. Talent that can be established from previously accomplished projects, irrespective of the scale, is also significant especially when your first degree differs from the aforementioned.

KNOWLEDGE OF STATISTICS

Knowledge of statistics and statistical processes is important, as these form the basis of data analysis. Mathematical and statistical theories, computational techniques and the use of computer technology to evaluate, automate and synthesize business data in order to provide useful insights to drive data-driven solutions to business challenges.

KNOWLEDGE OF DATABASES

Knowledge of databases and reporting tools is necessary. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) comes in handy for on-premise databases. For larger organisations, knowledge of Cloud Platforms such as Azure, AWS and GCP is a big advantage. Working knowledge of databases and either Microsoft Power Business Intelligence (Power BI) or Salesforce Tableau (or just Tableau) is a big advantage for Business Intelligence (BI) reporting, this is because many renewable energy startups, like in other sectors such as FinTech, require high-level BI reporting and report automation for quick insights into data.

HAVE A PROJECT PORTFOLIO

You should have a portfolio of projects, this can range from a minimum of two very sound projects to as many as possible. The projects need to confirm the skills listed in your  CV and that you are capable of using them to solve the challenges the company has. For Data Analyst roles, projects that were done with either or all of Excel, Python, R and SQL should reflect in the portfolio, as during the interview stages, an applicant may be given a timed project to execute with any of these tools.

COMMUNICATION AND PRESENTATION SKILLS

In addition to the above, you should be able to interpret data and communicate insights in a way that is easy to understand and comprehend. The ability to be flexible, adapt to different situations and deliver accurate reports in a timely fashion is a must-have.