A series of events held between November 12-15 in South Africa marked several strides forward in advancing gender equality in the Just Energy Transition.

Organised by the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency, the Project Implementation Unit, with support from the Climate Investment Funds and the African Development Bank, the week-long programme's centre-piece was a one-day workshop on gender.

The event also included the official launch of South Africa's Just Energy Transition Jobs First Project, the visit of Patricia Pena, Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada, and training of the Project Implementation Unit and provincial governmental officials on the Bank's procurement, financial management, and disbursement rules and regulations.

The events gathered stakeholders from national and provincial government officials, civil society organisations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, academia, and the private sector to drive inclusive and sustainable change.

The Just Energy Transition Jobs First Project, supported by the African Development Bank, Climate Investment Funds, Irish Aid, Agence Française de Développement, and ABSA Bank, focuses on strengthening institutions and empowering local communities in Mpumalanga by creating sustainable employment opportunities through gender equality, social inclusion, and skills development.

Dr Babatunde Omilola, Human Development division manager at the African Development Bank, highlighted the project as a key milestone in advancing a just energy transition for South Africa, prioritising sustainable energy, job creation, gender equity, and social inclusion. UVU Africa, a strategic partner, discussed the project activities with UVU Africa on a female farmers project in Bushbackridge. Beneficiaries will receive training on sustainable and smart agriculture and a digital kit to support their work.

Other initiatives discussed include the creation of a Gender Desk within the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency to facilitate dialogue among women actors, mapping of women entrepreneurs, and increased collaboration among women networks in the province.

AFD's mandate in South Africa supports the Just Energy Transition by addressing poverty, inequality, and the social dimensions of energy transition through a policy-based loan focused on governance, energy access, and economic diversification.