23 MARCH 2023
Celebrating Women breaking barriers in the energy and power sector in the Southern African Power Pool
The month of March celebrates International Women’s Day; AWEaP created a platform to recognize women in the Southern African Power Pool who are advancing energy access in the region.
These women are breaking barriers in Africa’s energy and power sector. They gave testimonies on navigating access to markets, finance, technology, skills development and networks.
Our platinum sponsor Rockwell Automation gave a detailed presentation on the Southern African region’s technology and channel partnership programme.
We were also delighted to host Distil Inclusion which elaborated on findings conducted in a recent report on Female entrepreneurship in Renewable Energy. The presentation focused on building the business case for women’s inclusive financing in last-mile renewable energy markets.
The webinar was also fortunate enough to have the United Nations, South Africa, which highlighted opportunities focused on unlocking women’s economic empowerment in the region. As well as concentrating on opening economic opportunities and increasing women participation in various value chains.
However, the highlight was the testimonials from entrepreneurs from the region. Many of these women have made their mark in the energy and power sector particularly in countries like Angola, Tanzania, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique. These energy entrepreneurs shared their journey and what they did to pave the way to unlock opportunities for themselves. For many, the road was not easy, with many closed doors, but perseverance and restraint showed hard work indeed pays off. The energy entrepreneurs showcased businesses they started to eradicate gender equality and empower women through various opportunities. The entrepreneurs shared presentations that highlighted various initiatives like:
- Sustainable Energy Supply and Services
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation
- Sustainable Energy for All
- Equitable and Inclusive Energy Access
- Promotion of Private Sector Participation
- Good Governance in Energy Services
- Empower low income women with knowledge and skill in briquettes production
- Provide services in renewable energy technologies
At AWEaP, we collaborate with multiple stakeholders in the energy ecosystem to secure support for women-owned and women-led companies.
Our theme for 2023 is: Together, we can make inclusion in Africa’s energy and power sector a competitive edge.
The following stakeholders were invited to share insights on the construct of energy value chains and opportunities emerging as countries endeavour to achieve security of energy supply:
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs):
Our monthly webinars include OEMs like Rockwell Automation for the following reasons:
OEMs design and manufacture products, services, solutions and systems sought after by utilities and different large power users in the energy and power sector. We invite them to share trends in electricity system digitisation, decarbonisation and decentralisation. We invite them to showcase how they enable access to technology for SMMEs, especially women owned companies.
Multilateral and Regional Organisations:
Showcase supportive programmes designed and executed in the countries in line with Gender mainstreaming in the energy and power sector. These organisations are made up of three or more countries that collaborate on issues of mutual interest and global importance.
These organisations can use funds from multiple governments to fund a variety of projects.
Women Entrepreneurs’ Testimony:
Entrepreneurship is the capacity and willingness to develop and participate in a business venture with the intention of making a profit regardless of the financial risks involved. The role of entrepreneurship in any economy is critical, as it contributes to the socio-economic development of societies. We invite women led and owned companies to give testimony on how they are navigating the energy sector in their market.
Programme | Content Framework | Webinar 3 | Speakers |
Introduction | Introduction to AWEaP | AWEaP | MS. BERTHA DLAMINI |
OEM | Access to Technology | Rockwell Automation | MS. EMILIA GEORGIADES |
Finance | Access to Finance, Technology, Skills Development, Market | Distill Inclusion | MS. INKA SCHOMER |
Regional Organisation | Building value-added networks in the workplace and trading support | African Free Trade Continental Agreement | MR. JOHN ROCHA |
Entrepreneurs Testimony | Entrepreneurial Testimony on access to market, finance, networks and technology: Breaking barriers | Malawi | MS. KETTIE MKANDAWIRE |
Malawi | MRS. LINDA KANACHE LANJESI | ||
Tanzania | MS. MERCY CHILUMBA | ||
Mozambique | MS. EUGÉNIA LANGA | ||
Lesotho | MS. MATSEPISO MAJORO | ||
Angola | MS. CELINDA PENA | ||
Regional organisation | Gender Mainstreaming | UN Women | MS. AYANDA MVIMBI |
Close | Closing Remarks: | AWEaP | MS. BERTHA DLAMINI |
Watch our webinar and download presentations shared by speakers:
We encourage you to do the following:
- Visit our YouTube channel
- Watch previous webinars
- Take notes from the presentations given
- Note the tips shared on how you can gain entry into the energy and power sector as an entrepreneur
- Note programmes in place to address some of the barriers:
- Access to market
- Access to skills development
- Access to finance
- Access to technology
- Download presentations and listen to the recorded webinar again
- Follow through by: visiting websites and taking the initiative to build the network necessary to enable your participation.