Power shift: Reimagining South Africa’s energy sector through inclusive leadership, by Kirsten Francis, coach at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT and co-founder of Jade-Sky Holdings

South Africa is transitioning from fossil fuels toward renewable energy, as the government aims to add at least 19 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 and as much as 190 GW by 2050. These targets are critical for climate resilience and energy security. Yet, the social design of this transition is dangerously overlooked.

More than 40% of South Africans still live in energy poverty, and women make up just 14% of the renewable energy workforce, with ownership and procurement remaining concentrated and locked in by structural inequality. To meet South Africa’s energy future with resilience and innovation, this transition must actively include diverse voices — especially women — if we want to design and drive solutions that serve all communities.

From wild idea to 1,414 MW portfolio

My sister and I entered this sector with no background in engineering or finance. We had no roadmap, only a wild idea: to own a wind turbine. That idea was so wild, I only shared it with her. But we believed it was easier to ground a wild idea in reality than turn a boring one into something exciting.

This belief stems from the Design Thinking mindset I teach: “Yes, and?” Instead of overanalysing or discounting bold ideas, we kept saying yes and looking for opportunities that would get us closer to that one turbine. Using our roles managing Windaba, Africa's largest wind conference, we incrementally built networks and sector knowledge. We researched, learned and positioned ourselves strategically. When policy shifted in 2020 to require women-led business participation in procurement, we were ready — not by accident, but because we had been designing our way into the industry for years.

Our journey from that single wild idea now encompasses equity in 1,414 MW of solar PV and onshore wind projects. This scale demonstrates that non-traditional pathways can achieve transformational impact when strategic positioning meets opportunity for policy shifts.

The strategic value of inclusion

As a women-led family business, we understand that energy sits at the nexus of everything. Access to energy drives economic growth, which is why our 20-year operational view focuses on early childhood development, healthcare, and sport in host communities. This isn't corporate social responsibility, it's an investment in the ecosystems where our projects operate.

The necessity for women to participate actively in the sector allows us to be strategic about investments and partnerships, always revisiting our core values. Inclusion isn't just ethical; it's a business imperative creating competitive advantages through diverse perspectives and community-rooted approaches.

Breaking down the barriers

The sector's greatest barriers aren't technical — they're cultural and institutional. We've been consistently underestimated with our communication science, political science, gender advocacy, and project management qualifications often dismissed in favour of traditional hard skills.

The industry uses jargon as gatekeeping, creating artificial barriers that shut out capable contributors. We've had to overcome imposter syndrome by embracing authenticity. It's okay to admit you don't know something — people want to help if you ask genuinely. This authenticity has opened doors that credentials alone might not have.

For women and entrepreneurs from non-traditional backgrounds, success requires surrounding yourself with willing mentors, building values-aligned networks, and committing doggedly to learning. The sector offers multiple entry points but requires confidence in understanding all the moving parts.

Design Thinking as a navigation tool

Design Thinking is more than a methodology for us — it's how we navigate uncertainty in a world demanding certainty. While traditional business operates with rigid mindsets, Design Thinking provides frameworks for embracing ambiguity and turning it into a competitive advantage.

This approach allowed us to identify real needs in the energy sector and remain agile through the complex Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment investment landscape. We constantly iterate on who we are as a business, diversifying our role from project managers to equity holders while maintaining our values-based foundation.

Change requires new mindsets to support new policies

South Africa’s energy future will not be shaped by individual success stories alone. It depends on how we rethink the systems that determine access, ownership, and participation. While steps like the 2021 procurement requirements for women-led businesses have opened doors, broader transformation is still needed.

Progress comes from equipping more people across sectors and backgrounds with the mindsets to challenge the status quo, design inclusive solutions, and build systems that reflect the needs of all South Africans.

Lighting the way forward

Entrepreneurship is often a lonely, long road. But understanding your responsibility to craft pathways for others helps you push through challenges. Leadership requires constant revisiting of first principles; interrogating your why, iterating through complexity, and designing solutions that work for everyone.

As the country accelerates its energy transition, we must move beyond asking how much power we can generate to asking who we generate it for, and with. The success of our transition depends not just on technical capacity, but on whether we design it to serve all South Africans.

It takes audacity to dream big, but tenacity to remain at the table. The future of South Africa's energy sector — and the communities it serves — depends on both.

Read more:

JA Solar, Juwi sign SA solar modules deal

Smarter lifting in South Africa's C&I solar industry

Green Genset Facility secures additional solar funding

South Africa’s solar energy market is surging, particularly in the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors

As businesses seek cost-effective, sustainable solutions to manage rising electricity costs, solar power has become an increasingly attractive investment.

While load shedding has eased in recent months, energy costs remain high, prompting companies, especially those operating in agriculture, engineering and manufacturing to turn to rooftop solar to manage long-term operational expenses.

But while the benefits of solar are clear, the road to installation is not always smooth.

Installation challenges

“Transporting and installing solar panels presents a unique set of logistical challenges,” said Alistair Bennett, managing director at SkyJacks.

“These panels are not only bulky and fragile but getting them safely onto rooftops using traditional lifting methods can be time-consuming, risky, and expensive.”

Large-scale solar panels, often used in commercial and industrial projects, are delicate by nature and susceptible to damage from mishandling.

Rooftops can be difficult to access, and using the wrong equipment can lead to costly breakages and long project delays, issues that weigh heavily on contractors who operate on tight budgets and timelines.

Breakages don’t just increase hardware costs; they ripple through the entire project lifecycle.

“When panels are damaged during lifting or installation, it’s not just about replacing the equipment,” said Bennett.

“There are lead times for new panels, and in some cases, entire teams are idled while waiting. It impacts the bottom line and the contractor’s reputation.”

A smarter, safer way to install solar

The GEDA Solarlift is a lifting solution designed specifically for the solar industry.

With its modular, compact design and a lifting height of up to 19 metres, it provides an efficient, safe and cost-effective way to transport photovoltaic panels onto rooftop: whether in urban centres or remote agricultural settings.

“The GEDA Solarlift was developed with the realities of solar projects in mind,” said Bennett.

“It’s lightweight and easy to set up, even on uneven ground or in tight construction sites. The adjustable platform holds solar panels securely during the lift, reducing manual handling and lowering the risk of both damage and injury.”

This has made the system particularly valuable for rooftop installations in industrial parks, warehouses and commercial farms, where rooftop access and project scale can vary significantly.

For installers working in remote regions, such as those popular for utility-scale solar in the Northern Cape, the solution’s portability and quick setup offer added advantages.

Flexible rental model

SkyJacks, the local supplier of the GEDA Solarlift in South Africa, has introduced a ‘pay-as-you-use’ rental model that reduces barrier to entry for contractors and renewable energy developers.

“Our rental model is designed to be as flexible and supportive as possible,” said Bennett.

“There’s no need for a big upfront investment, which helps ease cash flow constraints. And all equipment is fully serviced and tested before each use, so contractors know they’re getting equipment that’s safe, reliable, and ready to go.”

He said the model allows small and mid-sized contractors to compete on larger projects without committing capital to own specialised equipment.

It also helps solar providers scale their operations more easily; renting additional lifts as needed without incurring permanent overheads.

Hands-on support

SkyJacks’ offering extends beyond equipment. The company provides end-to-end support, including site assessments, technical advice, and on-site setup assistance.

“We work closely with our clients to make sure the Solarlift is properly integrated into their workflow,” added Bennett. “Our technical teams are available to assist with setup, troubleshooting, and compliance, which takes pressure off the contractors.”

This package of support ensures that even less experienced contractors can safely and efficiently operate the Solarlift, helping them meet deadlines and reduce costly mistakes.

“Innovation isn’t just about panels or batteries, it’s about the tools that help make clean energy accessible and viable at scale,” he added. “The GEDA Solarlift is a practical solution to a very real problem in the industry, and we believe it’s going to play a big role in how South Africa builds its solar future.”

Read more:

SkyJacks to supply ALR lifting equipment to southern Africa

SkyJacks looks ahead to Electra Mining Africa

A year after Pilbara Minerals commissioned the world’s largest lithium ore sorting plant in Australia, TOMRA Mining’s sensor-based sorting technology is delivering measurable value — with clear significance for the Africa market

The technology is now delivering measurable value at the Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia, contributing to the strongest quarterly production of FY25, significantly reduced costs and enhanced resource utilisation.

As investors get to grips with Africa’s strategic importance in critical minerals, including lithium, the search is on for effective, powerful solutions and innovations that can streamline and boost productivity.

Powered by TOMRA Mining’s advanced sensor-based sorting technology, the Pilgangoora Operation has achieved impressive results, boosting production, reducing costs and unlocking value from previously uneconomical ore.

In its June Quarter FY25 results, Pilbara Minerals reported a 77% increase in production volume and a 10% reduction in unit operating costs (FOB) compared to the previous quarter.

These gains stem from the ramp-up of the P1000 expansion and the integration of TOMRA Mining’s cutting-edge sorting technology.

“The June Quarter marked the strongest performance of the year, clearly demonstrating the impact that TOMRA’s technology can deliver at scale,” said Gavin Rech, area sales and technical manager Australia at TOMRA Mining.

“By unlocking value from lower-grade contact ore previously considered uneconomical, the operation now accesses more lithia units from the pit, enhancing resource utilisation and mine flexibility.”

Commissioned in August 2024 as part of the P680 Expansion Project, the crushing and sorting plant is the largest lithium ore sorting facility in the world, with a capacity of more than 1,000 tonnes per hour.

TOMRA Mining’s sensor-based technology enables early waste rejection, significantly improving lithium recovery and final product quality while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

The sorting plant successfully addresses a key challenge in lithium mining: managing spodumene ore within barren host rock.

It includes 10 high-precision TOMRA sorters – four TOMRA COM Tertiary XRT for fines, three TOMRA COM XRT 2.0 for mid-sized particles, and three TOMRA PRO Primary Color for coarse-sized particles.

By removing barren material upstream, the plant enhances the efficiency of downstream processes, reduces energy use by 8–15 GWh annually, and ensures consistent product quality.

This success is the result of several years of collaboration between TOMRA Mining, Pilbara Minerals and engineering partner DRA Global.

The project was delivered on time and on budget, following extensive testwork at TOMRA’s Sydney Test Centre that demonstrated the technology’s capability to deliver high lithium recovery and effective waste separation across varied ore domains.

This strategic choice also supports Pilbara Minerals’ long-term goals of cost optimisation and sustainable growth.

The ore sorting facility boosts Pilgangoora’s production capacity and lays the foundation for future expansions under the P2000 project.

As the lithium market evolves, the company is well-positioned to lead through innovation and resilience.

With the P1000 expansion now complete and the P2000 feasibility study underway, TOMRA Mining’s proven technology and industry-leading expertise continue to support Pilbara Minerals’ long-term strategy for scalable, cost-efficient and responsible lithium production.

Read more: 

Record-breaking diamonds recovered with TOMRA technology

A giant leap forward in sensor-based sorting

TOMRA RXT technology exceeds expectations at magnesite deposit

Ethiopian Airlines and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a mandate letter for financing what will be Africa’s largest aviation infrastructure project

The bank will contribute US$500mn towards the financing of the new Bishoftu airport, which is expected to be Africa's largest when completed in 2029.

The four-runway airport, to be sited near the town of Bishoftu, about 45 km southeast of Addis Ababa, will position Ethiopia as a leading air transport hub for the continent.

The total project cost is estimated at around US$10bn, with the airline expecting to provide around 20% of the funding and the rest to come from creditors.

The signing of the mandate letter — naming AfDB as Initial Mandated Lead Arranger for the financing of the mega airport — is a big step in attracting full funding for the remainder of the project.

“We are pleased to partner with the African Development Bank in arranging the required financing for the development of this iconic aviation infrastructure,” said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.

“The signing of this mandate letter marks a decisive step toward realising a world-class pan-African gateway that will boost intra-African trade, regional integration, tourism, and global connectivity.”

The new greenfield airport will have an initial capacity of 60 million passengers annually, with future expansion to 110 million, making it the largest airport in Africa, and one of the top global hubs.

The mega airport will serve as a future international hub for passenger and cargo traffic at Addis Ababa, complementing the existing Bole International Airport, which will retain its domestic operations.

The airport will also anchor a so-called ‘aerotropolis’ designed to stimulate regional development, enhance logistics capacity and generate tens of thousands of jobs.

Read more:

Abusera international airport is a go

Ethiopian Airlines to explore electric air taxi service

Ethiopian Airlines bolsters fleet with A350-1000 

Paycorp, a global payments group with strong South African roots, has made a strategic investment in Currency Stream, a UK-based fintech that specialises in real-time foreign exchange and multi-currency payment solutions

This partnership is set to accelerate Currency Stream’s growth in Europe and open up new expansion opportunities across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Paycorp will contribute capital, international reach, and over 20 years of payments expertise to help drive Currency Stream’s global ambitions.

The investment builds on a successful working relationship that spans over seven years. Since 2017, Paycorp has implemented Currency Stream’s Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) technology across Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Africa.

“This partnership is a natural evolution of our long-standing relationship with Currency Stream,” said Steven Kark, CEO and co-founder of Paycorp, who will be joining the Currency Stream International board. “They’ve consistently delivered results with robust tech, transparency, and smart thinking. As they expand globally, it makes perfect sense for Paycorp to back that growth and take this offering deeper into markets like Africa, Asia and the US.”

Currency Stream’s proprietary technology supports real-time DCC and Multi-Currency Pricing (MCP) in over 160 currencies. Already trusted by top acquirers, gateways, and e-commerce platforms worldwide, the company’s solutions will now be brought to new sectors and high-growth regions. The focus will be on retail, travel, and online commerce — markets where FX transparency and multi-currency functionality are increasingly vital.

“This investment cements a powerful partnership built on innovation and trust,” said Noel Goddard, founder and CEO of Currency Stream. “Paycorp understands the complexities of cross-border payments and has the scale, experience and strategic focus to help us serve more partners faster, particularly across Africa and other emerging markets.”

This move aligns with Paycorp’s wider strategy of expanding its portfolio of value-added payment solutions. With operations in Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, and the UK, Paycorp is already recognised for its services in ATM and cash operations, transaction processing, embedded business funding, and alternative payments.

The introduction of SEW-EURODRIVE’s TrueDNA package responds directly to challenges faced by industry when mixing components from multiple suppliers in a drive solution

Performance inconsistencies, compatibility issues and support gaps have often compromised efficiency and reliability.

By offering a complete power pack solution from a single original equipment manufacturer (OEM) comprising the highest quality components, SEW-EURODRIVE ensures every component works in perfect harmony - guaranteeing optimum performance, streamlined support for extended warranties and peace of mind.

TrueDNA from SEW-EURODRIVE, a global leader in automation and drive technology, is a fully integrated turnkey drive solution designed for maximum flexibility, performance and efficiency. Engineered to cover a wide range of power, torque and speed characteristics, it can be easily adapted to drive various equipment across multiple heavy industries.

“A major advantage of the TrueDNA package is the significant reduction in lead times,” commented Jonathan McKey, national sales and marketing manager at SEW-EURODRIVE. “Because the majority of components are stocked items, customers can typically expect delivery within six to eight weeks from date of order - a notable improvement compared to traditional sourcing processes. This means quicker access to the latest technological advancements without lengthy delays, enabling customers to start production sooner, generate revenue faster and achieve savings on shorter timelines.

Each TrueDNA solution typically includes a base plate, gearbox, coupling and motor - all precisely matched to ensure seamless compatibility and optimum operational performance. Most customers opting for TrueDNA have selected the innovative X.e series gearbox, renowned for its enhanced efficiency, durability and energy-saving features.

The drive train is pre-filled with the customer’s lubrication of choice, although SEW-EURODRIVE recommends its latest advanced oil technology which offers extended lifetime, superior lubrication
properties and improved efficiency in power transfer. With proper maintenance, customers can further reduce costs through extended oil change intervals.

“Choosing the TrueDNA package not only means acquiring cutting-edge drive technology, but also gaining additional value through extended warranties and complimentary maintenance training for end-user personnel,” McKey noted. “We are committed to ensuring optimum long term performance
and supporting our customers’ operational excellence.

With TrueDNA, SEW-EURODRIVE redefines industrial drive solutions - simplifying procurement, optimising performance and delivering a future-ready package built to meet the toughest demands of modern industry.