Women in Energy Archives - Smarter Mobility Africa

Women in Energy

As a trendsetter, ESI Africa is the first power and energy journal to dedicate a special feature to women in energy and power who are excelling in the technical and non-technical fields that make up this energised market. Since 2014, this focus creates a dedicated space for female professionals, whether they are electricians, electrical engineers, boilermakers, mechanical technicians, chemical engineers or machine operations. These ladies share their personal experience and industry knowledge and put forward a message of inspiration for other young women who wish to enter this industry. Through these conversations, we endeavour to break the glass ceiling that still exists in the energy and power market across the world. The interviews include women in renewable energy, thermal energy, energy efficiency and those behind regulation, policy, funding and investment. These are the leading ladies tackling energy poverty at all levels of the industry.

14 April 2023

Ndia Magadagela: How the electric vehicle sector will be impactful

ESI Africa Business and markets, Features/Analysis, Research and Development, Smart Mobility, Women in Energy decarbonisation, Electric Vehicles, Enlit Africa, Just Energy Transition, mobility, women in energy

#sustainablemobility

#womeninmobility

#e-mobility

#southafrica

"We had been EVangelists for electric mobility in South African fleets."

Ndia Magadagela C-Founder, Everlectric

Read this exclusive interview with Ndia Magadagela, Co-Founder of Everlectric, South Africa.

For International Women’s Month, ESI Africa embraced equity and women’s empowerment to elevate society through a series of Women in Energy interviews.

Interview with Ndia Magadagela

ESI: WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT AS A WOMAN WORKING IN MOBILITY?

I have had many memorable moments in recent years relating to our ambitions to decarbonise South African fleets but the one that stands out by far is the moment the penny dropped for fleet managers. We had been EVangelists for electric mobility in South African fleets.

The other was when the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team was established by President Ramaphosa in February 2022. The task team was tasked with a view to advising on the composition, affordability, and alignment with South Africa’s ambitions and priorities in relation to its climate change risks. This was proof that Government is committed to working out South Africa’s pathway to low emissions.

Africa suffers the brunt of climate change impacts despite contributing very little to global carbon emissions: from tropical cyclones in Malawi, Mozambique & Madagascar, floods in Nigeria, Uganda & South Africa to devastating drought in the Horn of Africa https://t.co/VvzOCpVgZv pic.twitter.com/xtYG4oiHIB
— Inter Press Service (@ipsnews) April 16, 2023

#RaiseTheGame for #ClimateAction!

Tackling #ClimateChange requires transformational changes across sectors of the SA🇿🇦 economy - with innovations in urban & infrastructure planning, a shift to #CleanEnergy & changes to how we use our land, water & food.#ForPlanetForPeople pic.twitter.com/OWjcWIp5Qi
— United Nations in South Africa (@UNinSouthAfrica) April 12, 2023

ESI: WHAT RECENT INNOVATIONS IN THE INDUSTRY CAN YOU SEE PROVIDING UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN THE ENERGY SECTOR?

Like many old-line industries, the energy business is overwhelmingly male. According to World Bank, Women hold just 22% of jobs in energy production and distribution, even though they make up 48% of the global workforce. The number is even lower among senior managers: just 14%. There are opportunities to get women into the energy industry and lift them through the ranks so they can light up the world.

There are so many opportunities in this sector that are available for women. From research, services, manufacturing, etc. The most important thing is to move from plans and theories to implementation.

ESI: WHICH STRATEGIES DO YOU EXPECT TO BE THE MOST IMPACTFUL FOR?THE JUST ENERGY TRANSITION?

The new electric vehicle (EV) sector will be very impactful. The focus of the Just Energy Transition is on transitioning the automotive sector value chains to EVs. There is a global shift to electric and with this strategy, EV production will gain momentum, the EV supply chain will be localised and will help set the base for NEV manufacturing and component manufacturing in-country. South Africa has the responsibility to protect sector employment and promote new growth in sustainable manufacturing.

For this, we need to have initiatives to incentivise investments in charging infrastructure and we also need to convert public transport and private vehicles to EVs. All of this will accelerate decarbonisation.

ESI: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN IN THE ENERGY SECTOR??

I would advise them to be patient and keep innovating. With any new project, there is the initial spade work that must be put in and this can take time and for some can be discouraging. Be patient in doing the spade work and just keep on moving forward.

Electricity, or a lack thereof, is a hot topic within South Africa, so with the impending shift to electric mobility, what are some of the myths surrounding electric vehicles (EVs)?https://t.co/wOsqPSZNVp #EV #ElectricVehicle #ElectricCar
— AutoTrader (@AutoTraderSA) April 7, 2023

11 April 2023

Bertha Mvati: Advancing technologies are creating opportunities for women

ESI Africa Business and markets, Climate Change, East Africa, Features/Analysis, Finance and Policy, Renewable energy, Research and Development, Smart Mobility, Smart Technologies, Women in Energy Electric Vehicles, Enlit Africa, Kenya, mobility, smart technologies, women in energy

#justtransition

#innovation

#elecricvehicles

#womeninenergy

There is a lot of emphasis in the generation of clean and renewable energy around the world. This, by itself, presents immense opportunities in the sector. All these are opportunities for women to pursue.

Bertha Mvati Head of Vehicle Asset Finance at BasiGo, Kenya

Read this exclusive interview with Bertha Mvati, Head of Vehicle Asset Finance at BasiGo, Kenya.

For International Women’s Month, ESI Africa embraces equity and women’s empowerment to elevate society through a series of Women in Energy interviews.

Interview with Bertha Mvati

ESI: What is your most memorable moment as a woman working in this sector?

My most memorable moment is looking back and seeing the steps we are taking to combat climate change using our nation’s renewable energy. It has also been memorable seeing the difference we make every single day and the impact we make for current and future generations.

ESI: What recent innovations in the mobility industry can you see providing unique opportunities for women in the mobility and energy sector?

There are also a lot of advancements in technologies around energy in the world that are causing many industries to implement changes and focusing on creating more sustainable environments, from solar power, energy storage and electric vehicles creating a lot of unique opportunities for women.

Have you read?
New research warns of the dangers of hydrogen fuel use

Yet to take a ride on our #BasiGo electric buses? Here is what you get to enjoy when you commute with our buses. You can always track our buses live on https://t.co/WWE6FKXlPg. #BasiGoMovement pic.twitter.com/vzPIzUBsah
— BasiGo (@BasiGoKenya) April 3, 2023

Exciting news for sustainable transportation in Nairobi! @BasiGoKenya and OMA Services are partnering to expand electric bus routes. 🚌🔌 https://t.co/4KFGepHWjU #greentransportation #electricbuses #sustainablecities
— Count Us In (@CountUsInSOCIAL) April 6, 2023

ESI: Which strategies do you expect to be the most impactful in the Just Energy Transition?

Creating local demand through the provision of EV Tariffs and incentives to spur the uptake of EV’s in Africa will not only help reach the target ambitions for access to power but will at the same time contribute to ensuring accessibility and affordability especially to marginalized and poor communities, thus achieving both climate and poverty reduction ambitions. Creating Policies within Africa that can also aid in the accessibility of the poor by a large percentage of the population.

ESI: What advice would you give to young women in the energy sector

Show up as your best authentic self, explore opportunities that match your strengths and experience and have fun while at it. ESI

The future is electric! We are delighted that the Government of Kenya @TransportKE and @EU_Commission 🇪🇺 have committed to building East Africa’s first dedicated electric bus rapid lane 🚌⚡️. https://t.co/yzRvX0LAm7
— BasiGo (@BasiGoKenya) April 5, 2023