Project
Entrepreneurship Development in Local Communities Facing the Energy Transition
Context
Coal remains central to South Africa’s energy system, with Mpumalanga Province accounting for approximately 80% of national coal production and 85% of coal-related employment. As the country advances its Just Energy Transition (JET) toward a low-carbon economy, an estimated 24,100 MW of coal-fired power capacity is expected to be decommissioned between 2030 and 2050. This transition poses significant economic risks for coal-dependent communities, where mining and power generation currently support more than 85,000 jobs.
At the same time, Mpumalanga faces persistently high unemployment, particularly among young people. In South Africa, youth aged 15–34 experience an unemployment rate of 46,1%, limiting access to stable livelihoods as traditional energy-sector jobs decline. Many young people turn to informal entrepreneurship as a survival strategy, but most lack access to business skills, mentorship, and finance. Without targeted support, these informal activities struggle to grow into sustainable enterprises capable of driving local economic diversification.
The Strategy
The Entrepreneurship Development in Local Communities Facing the Energy Transition project uses TechnoServe’s NOVA EdTech platform, a tool that is sector-agnostic, supporting businesses across retail, services and other local markets.
Training is delivered through a two-tier digital funnel:
Tier 1 – Digital Training:
Entrepreneurs access mobile-based courses covering business fundamentals, financial management, business modeling, and digital marketing. Designed for low data usage, the platform facilitates accessibility even in cases where connectivity is limited.
Tier 2 – Digital Acceleration:
Participants who complete Tier 1 advance to more specialized content focused on profitable pricing, e-commerce strategies, customer acquisition, and preparing businesses for growth and scale.
To strengthen learning outcomes and practice adoption, the digital curriculum is complemented by “human touch” support, including Virtual Tutors who provide motivation and guidance, as well as optional online group sessions that enable peer learning and collaboration.
Target Results
By the end, the project aims to:
- Activate 1,000 entrepreneurs in Mpuma NOVA’s digital training with at least 50% women participants
- 70% of trained entrepreneurs adopting at least one improved business management practice
- 260 jobs created or strengthened
- 50% of entrepreneurs who complete the program report revenue growth
By combining digital innovation with tailored support, the project aims to demonstrate how entrepreneurship can play a central role in building inclusive, resilient local economies in regions facing the social and economic impacts of the energy transition.