The Egyptian Ministry of Electricity has announced the finalization of a one-month training program for engineers from around the African continent, All Africa reports.

The ministry announced that 31 engineers had received a training on operating and maintaining electricity distribution grids, while 23 had been trained in operating and maintaining water stations.

Chairman of the Egyptian Electric Holding Company Gaber El-Desouky stressed the importance of increased cooperation between Nile Basin countries.

He stated that Egypt was hoping to offer technical support on electricity issues to other Nile states.

The program comes at a time when Nile electricity is a controversial international issue. Ethiopia’s plans to build the Renaissance Dam has been divisive in Egypt’s foreign and domestic politics over fears of water-shortage.

After delays earlier in the month, negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over technical aspects of the dam failed to find an agreement in mid-December, reports Daily News Egypt.  Another round of negotiations will begin December 27th.