South Africa’s efforts to build a renewable, secure, reliable and affordable energy system are creating new opportunities to mobilise finance and investment, especially in renewable energy. This requires unlocking finance, particularly in coal-dependent regions such as Mpumalanga, where the need for economic diversification and job creation is greatest.
Improving access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in support of renewable energy can support economic competitiveness, job creation and access to secure, reliable and affordable energy. However, many small enterprises continue to face barriers to accessing financing, especially in renewable energy. South Africa is home to an estimated 2.6 million small-scale enterprises, around two-thirds of which operate informally, underscoring the need for broader access to emerging economic opportunities.
This report identifies actions to unlock access to financing for small‑scale enterprises in renewable energy and related value chains. It also explores financing approaches for community-centric renewable energy microgrids.
Drawing on extensive consultations with government, financial institutions, business support organisations, small-scale enterprises and local communities, the report provides practical recommendations to unlock finance and support local development, economic opportunity and investment in a renewable, secure, reliable and affordable energy system.
