CICSA Phase II launch at Africa Energy Forum

13:10 – 13:15 – Welcome & Opening Remarks

Moderator: Rhoda Wachira, Programme Management Officer, Africa Office, UNEP 🌍

Overview of session objectives and expected outcomes.

13:15 – 13:30 – High‑Level Opening Address & Official Launch of CICSA II

Official launch of CICSA Phase II including the Call for Proposals (CfP) to support clean captive energy solutions across C&I sectors in Sub‑Saharan Africa, highlighting national leadership, enabling policies, and strategic partnerships for scale and investment.

Speakers:

• Noma Qase, Programme Director, Sarem, Department of Electricity & Energy, South Africa 🇿🇦
• Tanja Wehrheit, Consul General of Germany in South Africa 🇩🇪

13:30 – 13:50 – CICSA: From Phase I to Phase II – Results, Scale and Opportunity

Phase I results (pilots, investment mobilised, emissions saved) and the Pretoria Statement on strong regional demand for scale‑up. Phase II ambition and delivery model. Launch of the Call for Proposals (CfP): eligibility, priorities, and engagement pathways.

Speakers:

• Carolina Merighi, Programme Management, Climate Change Division, UNEP 🌍
• Yamini Jain, Project Manager, Frankfurt School 🇩🇪

13:50 – 14:20 – Panel: Unlocking Scale for Clean Captive Installations

What it will take to move from pilot projects to large‑scale deployment, including how to better align policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and industrial demand. The discussion will also highlight opportunities for private sector and development partners, alongside lessons from early movers to inform scalable and replicable models.

Moderator: Rhoda Wachira, UNEP 🇰🇪

Panellists:

• Sara Elhag, Head of the Energy Division, African Union Commission (AUC) 🌍
• Mr Siyabonga Zondi, Project Manager: Renewable Energy, Department of Electricity & Energy, South Africa 🇿🇦
• Lulu Molemong, Associate Principal, Power & Renewables Finance, Nedbank 🇿🇦
• James Dry, Senior Transactor, Sola Group 🇿🇦

14:20 – 14:40 – Open Dialogue and Q&A with Audience

Led by the moderator.

14:40 – 14:45 – Closing Remarks

Speaker: Tanja Wehrheit, Consul General of Germany in South Africa 🇩🇪

What to Expect

• Understand how CICSA’s Call for Proposals will crowd in investment to scale C&I clean energy.
• Discuss what policy frameworks will unlock and sustain investment in captive energy solutions.
• Experience firsthand outcomes and lessons from CICSA Phase I pilots.
• Engage directly with the teams behind the Initiative and connect with other innovators and entrepreneurs driving the future of sustainable energy systems in Africa.