Minister Ramokgopa Leads South Africa's Energy Agenda At World Economic Forum

South Africa's Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa arrived in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting, where he will lead the country's energy agenda.

Ramokgopa is part of the South African team, headed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, attending the 55th WEF annual meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from Jan. 20 to 24.

The minister is accompanied by Eskom Group CEO Dan Marokane and NECSA Group CEO Loyiso Tyabashe, who will help share South Africa's energy story, SA News reported.

The department said on Tuesday that Ramokgopa will join Ramaphosa to highlight South Africa's progress in energy stability, regulatory changes, and future energy plans aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth.

This year, South Africa aims to highlight its progress in energy reform, its commitment to a sustainable energy future, and how it plans to use its G20 Presidency to support regional and global sustainability goals.

"As the nation embarks on an ambitious energy transition, the focus remains on achieving energy sovereignty, fostering sustainability, and promoting inclusive economic growth," the department mentioned.

It added, "The current positive sentiment South Africa enjoys based on stabilizing the energy situation, augers well for its plans to attract investments into the country."

The department highlighted key points of South Africa's energy agenda at the WEF meeting.

Since March 2024, South Africa has successfully ended load shedding, thanks to recent energy reforms. The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, signed in August 2024, modernized the electricity market, allowing more private-sector involvement.

The government plans to increase the country's generation capacity from 48 GW to 78 GW by 2035, with investments in renewable energy, natural gas, and nuclear power. Cooperation between the government, Eskom, and private investors is essential for this transition.

Since 2020, South Africa has secured over 13,422 MW of renewable energy, with investments exceeding $16 billion. This has helped the country become a competitive player in global renewable energy markets.

South Africa, preparing for its G20 Presidency in 2025, aims to lead global efforts in tackling energy challenges. The focus will be on ensuring energy security and affordability while promoting fair energy transitions across Africa.

The South African Energy delegation plans to engage with international partners to highlight the country's energy market reforms and explore investment opportunities to advance its energy agenda.

This participation at the World Economic Forum reflects South Africa's commitment to leading global discussions on sustainable energy transitions and climate action.