NBF completes foundational stage of groundbreaking UK PACT-funded climate action project

Johannesburg - NEPAD Business Foundation (NBF), Siemens, Letsema and African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) in partnership with UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) have successfully embarked on a programme aimed at addressing South Africa’s urgent energy security and climate change challenges. The project supports six South African public universities by developing investable, implementable climate action plans tailored to their unique contexts.

This transformative project, “Partnering for Climate Action: UK PACT Support for Climate Action Strategies”, commenced in August 2024 and will be completed by December 2026. 

The first set of implementation activities aims to establish the technical and stakeholder groundwork required to progress towards detailed energy audits, modelling and roadmap development.

These activities will establish the technical and stakeholder groundwork required to progress towards detailed energy audits, modelling, and roadmap development in the programme. 

 The six universities participating in the project are:

1. Mpumalanga University
2. Fort Hare University
3. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
4. University of Venda
5. Tshwane University of Technology
6. Mangosuthu University of Technology

This programme has significant potential to transform Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) of higher learning in South Africa into hubs of research and innovation excellence. By equipping these HDIs with the tools, data and funding strategies needed to overcome long-standing infrastructure and resource constraints, the programme will enable them to reduce operational costs, lower carbon emissions and improve campus resilience. 

Zama Siqalaba, Head: Programmes at the NBF, said: “This project demonstrates the power of collaborative leadership in advancing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. By working closely with universities, government stakeholders, and international partners, we have laid the foundation for practical, data-driven energy solutions and evidence-based adaptation and resource allocation towards a climate resilient future, in which the nation not only survives but thrives. The project will help institutions lower their carbon footprints, improve operational resilience, and unlock funding opportunities for long-term sustainability.”

British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson, added: “I am delighted that a UK PACT-funded project is supporting six South African universities to develop their climate action plans.  This is an example of our support to South Africa through the Just Energy Transition Partnership.  The project combines technical innovation with inclusive stakeholder engagement and will enable these universities to become leaders in climate action.”

The next stage of the project will include the selection and technical analysis of effective, contextually appropriate technology solutions for the creation of climate smart university facilities. University-specific roadmaps will be developed to outline tailored climate action strategies. The final stage of the project will focus on developing socio-economic evaluations and business cases to secure implementation funding, ensuring that solutions are both sustainable and financially viable.