Exploring Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the energy and power sector Part 2 Event Report

In August 2020, His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, released a statement that the South African Government has made a number of commitments under Gender Equality that will be given effect to through the National Strategic Plan. One of those commitments is to drive women’s economic inclusion through public procurement. He stated that a target of at least 40% of goods and services procured by public entities are to be sourced from women-owned businesses.

In response to the President’s call; African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) has been hosting Information sharing Webinar titled: AWEaP – Exploring Opportunities in the Energy and Power Sector.

These Webinars aim to empower women in the Energy sector by exposing them to entrepreneurial opportunities that will allow them to achieve the following;

  1. Opt to participate in the sector;
  2. Choose an area of focus;
  3. Align themselves with the relevant actors in the ecosystem;
  4. Access credible market information; and
  5. Organise themselves to participate effectively and sustainably.

 

An energy revolution is happening in South Africa. New and cheaper technologies in the renewable energy sector, coupled with affordable energy storage, are driving this revolution. In addition to this, deregulations of the Power/ Energy Sector coupled with unbundling and privatisation of traditional value chains presents opportunities for non-traditional players to enter and participate meaningfully in the sector.

Speakers at the webinar were:

Introduction to AWEaP

Ms Bertha Dlamini
President AWEaP

Opportunities in the Renewable Energy Sector

Ms Lerato Mashilo
IPP Office, Economics Department

Access to Technology

Ms Tryphina Nkomo
ABB South Africa

Financing Energy Projects

Ms Mphokolo Makara
Transactor – Infrastructure Finance
Rand Merchant Bank

We encourage you to do the following:

  1. Visit our YouTube channel
  2. Watch previous webinars
  3. Take notes from the presentations given
  4. Note the tips shared on how you can gain entry into the energy and power sector as an entrepreneur
  5. Note programmes in place to address some of the barriers:
    1. Access to market
    2. Access to skills development
    3. Access to finance
    4. Access to technology
  6. Download presentations and listen to the recorded webinar again
  7. Follow through by: visiting websites and taking the initiative to build the network necessary to enable your participation

Inspiration

“If you want to crack the energy and power sector as an entrepreneur, prepare yourself to take the initiative to learn, apply, unlearn, relearn and continue to apply. It is a journey of constant learning, resilience and fortitude”

Bertha Dlamini

Founder African Women in Energy and Power
“I knew what I wanted in life and I worked day and night to achieve it, and here I am.”

Tabitha Karanja

Founder & CEO of Keroche Breweries
“Taking an idea that’s on paper or in your head and moving it forward into real, tangible action is the true spirit of entrepreneurship.”

Njeri Rionge

One of very few women pioneers in the ICT sector on the African continent and co-founder of internet service provider Wananchi Online
"Action without thought is empty. Thought without action is blind"

Kwame Nkrumah