Riding the Wave - Nepoworx at Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025 recap

Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025 was nothing short of powerful. As the renewable energy sector continues to gather momentum, this year’s edition served as a vibrant meeting ground for innovators, policymakers, educators and entrepreneurs all rallying behind one shared goal: building a greener, more inclusive energy future. For Nepoworx, the event marked not just a chance to showcase our impact—but to actively shape the conversation around skills development, youth empowerment, and the future workforce needed to fuel the green transition.

Our CEO, Nonjabulo Sokhela, was among the industry leaders who took to the stage. Her keynote, titled “Ride the Wave”, was a powerful introduction to who we are at Nepoworx—a capacity-building organisation that has trained over 6,800 young people across the country in the renewable energy sector. Of those, more than 1,900 are now employed or have started their own businesses.

In her address, Nonjabulo explored the current state of the renewable energy market and zoomed in on five macrotrends currently reshaping the labour landscape:

1. Technology

2. Green Transition

3. Geoeconomic Fragmentation

4. Economic Uncertainty

5. Demographic Shifts

Each of these trends underscores the urgent need for strategic upskilling, especially among youth, and defines where Nepoworx fits into the picture.

Our mission is clear: we bridge the gap between South Africa’s talent and the opportunities being unlocked through the energy transition. Whether it’s through Enterprise Development Programmes, Solar PV GreenCard training, or our Work Readiness and Work Placement Partnerships, our work ensures that young people from townships and under-resourced communities are not just watching the wave of change—but riding it.

Nonjabulo also highlighted several upcoming opportunities in the renewable energy value chain—both locally and globally:

• IPP Programmes: Projected to create between 55,600 to 93,400 gross jobs

• Embedded Generation: Expected to generate 800 to 1,600 gross jobs

• Transmission Projects: Will open up 7,300 to 13,400 gross jobs

• Localisation & Industrialisation: An opportunity for up to 365,000 new direct jobs

• Green Hydrogen & New Energy Vehicles: A fast-growing segment, forecasted to contribute 7,800 to 13,800 gross jobs

We see these figures not just as statistics—but as real opportunities for real people.

In line with our belief in learning through exposure, we brought along a group of our interns to Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025. It was their chance to walk among industry giants, attend panel discussions, interact with exhibitors, and see the scale and diversity of the sector up close. For many, it was their first industry event—and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

From networking with IPPs to learning about energy storage innovations, the event gave them a new perspective on what’s possible when skills meet opportunity. We’re incredibly proud to have created that platform for them.

As the renewable energy space evolves, it will take organisations like Nepoworx—deeply rooted in community and youth empowerment—to ensure that this transition is not just green, but inclusive. Our participation in Solar & Storage Live Africa 2025 was a reflection of that commitment, and a reminder that the future is here.

And we’re ready to ride the wave.

CATCH IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA