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World Bank confirms $350m funding for South Africa’s credit guarantee vehicle

The World Bank Group has approved $350-million, or about R5.6-billion, to capitalise South Africa’s new credit guarantee vehicle (CGV), which is being established to mobilise private finance for public infrastructure without requiring additional government guarantees. The World Bank board of executive directors’ approval of the ‘South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program’ opens the way for establishing the CGV, which the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development will help capitalise through the $350-million in approved funding.
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Lyra Energy begins construction of R4bn Thakadu solar PV plant

Construction has started on Lyra Energy’s inaugural 255 MW Thakadu solar PV plant, located on the border of South Africa’s Free State and North West provinces, after the R4-billion project reached financial close. In February, Lyra Energy announce that it had entered into power purchase agreements with three private anchor offtakers for a large portion of the electricity to be produced by the Thakadu facility, which is Lyra’s flagship project.
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Minerals Council suggests tariff methodology, costs as next focus for Eskom

While the Minerals Council South Africa lauds Eskom for having maintained an average energy availability factor of 68.5% through February, which is above the 68% target set out in the Integrated Resources Plan 2025, the industry body is concerned about the utility’s tariff methodology and other cost factors that affect the sustainability of the Eskom system. South Africa’s global competitiveness is directly impacted by electricity pricing dynamics, says Minerals Council economist André Lourens.
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Clean energy transition provides opportunities for Africa but needs cooperation, money

Southern Africa remains one of the world’s most climate vulnerable regions, pointed out Zimbabwean Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Yeukai Simbanegavi at the recent Africa Energy Indaba 2026, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. She was participating in a panel discussion. The importance of implementing the energy goals of last year’s COP 30 climate summit, and of the G20 Summit held in South Africa, could not be overemphasised, she said. Zimbabwe had its Vision 2030 initiative, which acknowledged energy as a key enabler of economic transformation. She also cited the national objective of increasing access to clean cooking technologies to 70% by 2030, from the current 38%.
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Anthem moves ahead with giant Free State PV project following offtake deals with two traders

Leading South African independent power producer Anthem has announced that its giant 475 MWac (620 MWdc) Notsi solar PV project in the Free State has advanced to financial close after concluding private offtake agreements with electricity traders Discovery Green and NOA Group. The R9-billion transaction has been supported by a consortium of lenders, including Standard Bank, Nedbank, ABSA and Vantage GreenX Note.
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Eskom prepares to act against 14 municipalities as arrear debt breaches R110bn

With arrear debt owing to Eskom by municipalities having breached R110-billion, the State-owned company has announced that credit control processes could be initiated against 14 municipalities that may result in electricity supply being disrupted to customers in those areas. In a statement, Eskom announced that it had begun the process of issuing notices in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) to provide an opportunity for affected parties to make representations before further action was taken. 
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World Bank says $50bn committed to African electrification

More than $50-billion has been committed to an ambitious plan to halve the number of people without access to electricity in Africa, according to the World Bank, its biggest backer. The programme, named Mission 300 because of its goal to bring electricity to 300-million people by 2030, has delivered power to 44-million people since it was officially announced at a conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in January last year.
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Opinion: Trading as a pillar of electricity market reform

South Africa’s electricity market is evolving rapidly, shaped by a convergence of policy shifts, technological advances and growing global trade requirements. Yet, a persistent challenge is understanding the role of electricity traders within the energy market – what they do, why they exist and how they underpin both investment and competitiveness in the electricity sector, electricity trader Apollo Africa CEO Nico de Bruyn writes.
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Africa’s energy future needs to be built cooperatively – AU

Africa had an energy deficit, highlighted African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure Lerato Mataboge, on Wednesday. She was addressing the 2026 Africa Energy Indaba, being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. “Energy is the foundation upon which modern economies are built,” she pointed out. Without reliable energy, industrialisation was elusive, and the future of young Africans was bleak.
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Africa’s energy transition must support industrialisation, Ramaphosa tells Energy Indaba delegates

South Africa is seeking to expand its electricity transmission grid, which wis a R450-billion challenge, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his keynote address at the 2026 Africa Energy Indaba, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, on March 4.  “The main focus in our country has really been the energy landscape and the reform thereof,” he told the assembled delegates. “Electricity is an absolute necessity in the lives of all South Africans. Today, 93% of South African households have electricity.”
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