Sixty entrepreneurs from across the Limpopo Province will be equipped to pursue emerging commercial opportunities in renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear, natural gas and other fast-growing areas of South Africa’s energy economy when the African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) Just Energy Transition (JET) Skills Development Programme comes to the province this month.

The African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP), in strategic partnership with the University of Limpopo, will host the AWEaP Just Energy Transition Skills Development Programme: Entrepreneur Master Class from 18 to 20 August 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs for an intensive three-day programme focused on turning South Africa’s energy transition into viable business opportunities.

Limpopo becomes the third province to host the programme following successful cohorts in Gauteng and Mpumalanga. Once the programme is completed in Limpopo, AWEaP will have developed the capacity of more than 160 entrepreneurs to identify, develop and participate in opportunities arising from South Africa's Just Energy Transition.

Developed as a practical entrepreneur development initiative, the Master Class combines policy, technical knowledge, commercial insights and market access. Participants will explore renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear energy, natural gas, artificial intelligence, project finance and personal branding before presenting business opportunities to an industry Expert Panel. 

Bertha Dlamini, AWEaP Founding President said ensuring that entrepreneurs participate meaningfully in these emerging markets will be critical if the energy transition is to deliver broader economic benefits.

“The Just Energy Transition is creating entirely new markets across renewable energy, hydrogen, nuclear, energy efficiency, artificial intelligence and clean technologies. Our responsibility is to ensure that entrepreneurs are not observers of this transition, but active participants, innovators and business owners,” Dlamini said.

She highlighted that, “Through the Entrepreneur Master Class, we are building entrepreneurs who understand where the opportunities are, how to access them and how to develop businesses that contribute to South Africa’s economic growth and energy future.”

The programme features an exceptional line-up of experts from government, academia and industry.

Dr Silas Mulaudzi, Sustainable Energy Specialist, will lead flagship sessions on South Africa's Just Energy Transition policy environment, the Electricity Regulation Act, renewable energy value chains and emerging market opportunities for entrepreneurs. 

Solly Kgopong, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Fetakgomo Tubatse Special Economic Zone (FTSEZ), will deliver a special lecture highlighting Limpopo's Green Hydrogen Facility, localisation opportunities, supplier development and the strategic role of platinum group metals in South Africa's hydrogen economy. 

Energy Project Finance specialist Ruse Moleshe will guide participants through financing structures, investment readiness and funding opportunities available to emerging energy enterprises. 

The programme will also explore opportunities beyond renewable power generation.

Recognised nuclear energy advocate Princy Mthombeni, Founder of Africa4Nuclear, will unpack entrepreneurial opportunities within South Africa's nuclear energy value chain. Hillary Campbell, General Manager: Renewables and Energy Storage at NEC XON, will explore how Artificial Intelligence is transforming clean energy businesses and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs. 

Entrepreneurs participating in the programme will benefit from an interactive session by internationally recognised personal branding expert and author Timothy Maurice Webster, who will lead an interactive session on  how entrepreneurs can build trusted brands that attract investors, partners and customers in South Africa's competitive energy market. 

The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) continues its support as the Patron of the AWEaP JET Skills Development Programme, reinforcing the importance of building entrepreneurial capacity across South Africa's clean energy value chains. SANEDI's contribution includes specialised lectures on natural gas and hydrogen energy, highlighting commercial opportunities emerging from the country's Hydrogen Society Roadmap and green hydrogen commercialisation. 

A distinguishing feature of the Master Class is the Entrepreneur Expert Panel, where participants present business opportunities developed during the programme. Representatives from government, academia and enterprise development institutions will provide practical feedback on commercial viability, market entry and investment readiness before entrepreneurs graduate during the Certification Ceremony. 

The University of Limpopo noted that its partnership with AWEaP reflects the growing role universities can play in connecting entrepreneurship, research and economic development.

Victor Kgomoeswana, Marketing and Communication Executive Director at the University of Limpopo said,  "The University of Limpopo is proud to partner with AWEaP on this important initiative. Universities have a responsibility to serve as catalysts for innovation, entrepreneurship and regional development. By bringing together academia, industry and government, this Master Class will help unlock opportunities for Limpopo entrepreneurs and strengthen the province’s contribution to South Africa's Just Energy Transition."

The AWEaP JET Skills Development Programme continues to expand nationally, with future Entrepreneur Master Class cohorts planned for KwaZulu-Natal, the North West and the Northern Cape,  to further strengthen South Africa's pipeline of energy entrepreneurs.