African Women in Energy and Power NPC (AWEaP) is a non-profit company that catalyses collaboration across Africa’s energy ecosystem to advance inclusive participation—particularly for women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Through our Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Development Programme, we address critical information gaps, facilitate access to energy value chains, and mobilise ecosystem expertise and resources to support viable, market-ready entrepreneurship.
Gauteng is South Africa’ economic engineand the heart of its industrial, commercial, and services economy. While the province is not coal-producing, it is energy-intensive, grid-dependent, and highly exposed to the risks and opportunities created by the energy transition.
The province’s JET priorities centre on:
- Energy security and resilience for industry, SMEs, and municipalities
- Decentralised generation (solar PV, storage, wheeling, trading) to support economic growth
- Green industrialisation, localisation, and supplier development
- Skills development and entrepreneurship as drivers of inclusive growth and job creation
The AWEaP Entrepreneur Master Class in Gauteng to responded to these priorities—equipping entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in the province’s evolving energy economy.
The Entrepreneur Master Class is a rigorous, three-day programme designed to equip emerging and existing entrepreneurs with a practical understanding of:
- South Africa’s energy policy and regulatory environment
- Disrupted and emerging energy value chains driven by the Just Energy Transition
- Financing instruments and funding pathways for energy entrepreneurs
- Low-barrier entry points into renewable, clean, and enabling energy services.
The programme directly supports Gauteng’s Just Energy Transition objectives by:
- Building a pipeline of future-ready energy entrepreneurs
- Strengthening local supplier participation in decentralised energy markets
- Supporting municipal, commercial, and industrial energy solutions
- Advancing inclusive economic participation in green growth sectors
The inaugural Gauteng Entrepreneur Master Class was launched in 2025 with the support of leading ecosystem partners:
- Energy Drive
- Sasol
- ABSA
- Wits Business School
- Solar Game Changer
- SANEDI as AWEaP JET Skills Development Programme Patron
Their support reflects a shared commitment to entrepreneurship, skills development, and an inclusive Just Energy Transition in Gauteng.
- Energy and infrastructure entrepreneurs
- SMEs exploring entry into renewable and clean energy value chains
- Women- and youth-led enterprises seeking to scale
- Innovators responding to municipal, commercial, and industrial energy demand.
Gauteng’s energy transition needs entrepreneurs who are informed, connected, and market-ready.
The AWEaP Entrepreneur Master Class is where policy meets opportunity—and where inclusive energy businesses begin.
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
ENDORSING PARTNERS
