Vivo Energy Ghana Partners With ATI to Train Informal Sector Mechanics

Vivo Energy Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Applied Technology Institute (ATI) to provide technical training and skills development opportunities for young mechanics working in Ghana’s informal automotive sector. The agreement, signed on May 29, forms part of Vivo Energy’s Mechanic Advocacy Programme, an initiative aimed at improving technical skills, safety awareness and professional standards among mechanics who operate outside formal training structures.

The programme will combine classroom-based learning with practical, hands-on training to help participants strengthen their technical capabilities while keeping pace with developments in the automotive and lubricants industries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vivo Energy Ghana Managing Director Christian Li said the sector is undergoing rapid change, increasing the need for skilled professionals who can work with evolving vehicle technologies and maintenance requirements.

ATI Director Emmanuel Kotey Ashie welcomed the partnership, noting that students and staff would benefit from industry exposure, practical experience and training aligned with current market needs.

Supporting Employment and Entrepreneurship

Beyond technical training, the programme is also intended to support entrepreneurship by helping participants develop the skills needed to establish and manage their own workshops and automotive service businesses.

The initiative comes at a time when youth unemployment remains a significant challenge in Ghana. According to the African Development Bank’s 2025 country report, the national unemployment rate stands at 21.7%, with young people aged between 15 and 24 accounting for a large share of those without formal employment.

Many young Ghanaians turn to the informal economy due to limited access to structured vocational training and employment opportunities. Programmes such as this seek to bridge that gap by providing practical skills that can improve employability and create pathways into self-employment.

Aligning With Local Skills Development Goals

While Vivo Energy’s fuel and lubricants business does not fall directly under Ghana’s petroleum sector local content regulations, the programme aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen local skills development and build a more capable workforce. Ghana’s local content framework encourages the development of local expertise and increased participation of Ghanaian nationals in key industries, particularly within the energy sector.

Expanding Community Development Initiatives

The ATI partnership adds to a growing list of educational and skills development programmes supported by Vivo Energy Ghana. The company has previously partnered with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and also runs the She’ll Fix programme, which provides automotive maintenance training opportunities for women.

Vivo Energy Ghana markets and distributes Shell-branded fuels and lubricants under a licensing agreement with Shell. The wider Vivo Energy Group operates in 28 African countries and manages a network of approximately 4,000 service stations across the continent.

Through initiatives such as the Mechanic Advocacy Programme, the company is seeking to strengthen technical skills development while creating new opportunities for young people entering the automotive sector.