Pretoria, 28 July 2025 – RES4Africa Foundation successfully concluded the pilot edition of the Southern Africa Executive School, a significant milestone in the Foundation’s mission to localise and expand its capacity-building efforts across the continent. The initiative, sustained by Enel Foundation and promoted by RES4Africa, in collaboration with the University of Pretoria, EWSETA, and Africa GreenCo was held from 21 to 25 July 2025 at the Future Africa Campus of the University of Pretoria.

Gathering over 35 participants from across the region, including representatives from key countries of the Mattei Plan, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa, the pilot programme was designed to strengthen technical and regulatory capacities in support of a just and sustainable energy transition. Attendees represented a diverse range of institutions such as utilities, regulatory bodies, ministries, private sector entities, and academic organisations, selected to ensure balanced geographical and sectoral representation.

The Southern Africa Executive School builds upon the success of the Pan-African Training Center on Renewable Energy and the Energy Transition, an initiative sustained by Enel Foundation within the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa. It also draws on the legacy of RES4Africa’s well-established Executive School in Milan and marks the first of a series of planned regional editions tailored to local contexts.

In this pilot edition, participants were divided into two specialised tracks: one focused on electricity sector regulation and finance, and the other on renewable energy integration and grid management. Both tracks were conducted in parallel, while also offering shared sessions and site visits to foster peer-to-peer exchange and regional networking.

Over the course of an intensive five-day programme, participants explored critical themes such as the deployment of solar and wind technologies, the integration of variable renewable energy into power systems, electricity market structures, battery energy storage systems, regulatory frameworks, financial modelling, power purchase agreements, and mechanisms for enabling private sector participation in grid development. In parallel, cross-cutting discussions addressed the socio-economic dimensions of energy transitions in Southern Africa, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity, skills development, and long-term economic growth.

The gathering combined academic insights and theory with concrete case studies and industry-led sessions. Lectures were delivered by experts from the University of Pretoria, African School of Regulation, CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) and other leading academic institutions, alongside high-level professionals from RES4Africa’s network including: University of the Witwatersrand, EWSETA, SACREEE (SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency), Africa GreenCo, Enel Green Power, Gridspertise, CESI, ABB, GME, Nordex, NIDEC, Nedbank CIB, EIB (European Investment Bank), IFC (International Finance Corporation), IPP Office, City of Cape Town, Synergy Consulting, Fasken, SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Industry Association), SAWEA (South Africa Wind Energy Association), Siemens Gamesa, ED Platform, NTCSA (National Transmission Company of South Africa) and RIIS. Participants also benefitted from field visits to Eskom’s control centre and CSIR’s energy infrastructure facilities, gaining first-hand exposure to South Africa’s evolving energy ecosystem.

The programme concluded with a closing address by Giulia Genuardi, Managing Director at Enel Foundation, followed by a certificate ceremony celebrating the achievements of all participants. The pilot edition was warmly received, further validating the need for high-quality, localised training to empower Africa’s energy workforce. RES4Africa warmly thanks all its partners, institutions, and companies who contributed their expertise and support to the programme, making this first regional edition a true collective achievement.

“The Southern Africa Executive School is a pivotal step in expanding RES4Africa’s footprint, ensuring that high-quality training reaches professionals across the continent,” said Roberto Vigotti, Secretary General of RES4Africa Foundation. “Through this regional model, we are fostering a resilient and well-connected community of energy leaders who are ready to shape the future of African power systems.”

“At Enel Foundation, we believe that building a robust and inclusive educational framework is essential to accelerating the energy transition in Africa. The Southern Africa Executive School represents a new regional hub within this framework—one that brings knowledge closer to institutions and local professionals. We are proud to sustain this initiative and reaffirm our long-term commitment to empowering energy leaders across the continent, in line with the objectives of the Mattei Plan for Africa.” Stated Giulia Genuardi, Managing Director at Enel Foundation.

“The University of Pretoria, in partnership with RES4Africa Foundation, is proud to host the inaugural Regional Executive School for Southern Africa, a high-impact training programme designed to strengthen executive capacity in electricity regulation, finance, and renewable energy integration. This week-long initiative brings together leading experts from academia, industry, and international institutions to equip energy professionals with cutting-edge insights into power markets, regulatory frameworks, financing models, and the just energy transition. The training features keynote contributions from institutions such as the Enel Foundation, CSIR, Nedbank, and the African School of Regulation, the programme underscores South Africa’s commitment to a sustainable energy future and regional collaboration across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The training, hosted at the Future Africa campus at the University of Pretoria campus, includes site visits to key facilities like the Eskom Control Room and the CSIR energy research hub, providing participants with a unique blend of theoretical depth and practical exposure." said Prof. Raj Naidoo, Head of the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, at the University of Pretoria.

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