South Africa’s manufacturing sector is under severe strain. Although output increased by a marginal 0.5%, over 1.2 million direct jobs and millions more in linked sectors still hang in the balance.
The withdrawal of funding from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) is a setback for South Africa’s move to a low carbon economy. This initiative was designed to mobilise public and private investment to help developing nations transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources and accelerate the decarbonisation of key sectors.
In the wake of South Africa’s longest uninterrupted period without load shedding, the rooftop solar market has experienced a slowdown, with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) reporting a 60-80% decline in project volumes between 2023 and 2024. However, as 2025 progresses, interest in solar energy installations is expected to rebound.