Dr. Rathabile Melamu

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)
Country: South Africa

Dr. Rethabile Melamu is a sustainability professional and a leader in the green economy sector. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), where she drives initiatives to promote clean energy and sustainable development across the country. Dr. Melamu holds a PhD in Chemical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Cape Town and brings over 18 years of experience in clean energy, environmental sustainability, technology commercialization, and the green economy. Her leadership experience spans several key roles, including Chairperson of the Water Research Commission and Trustee of the Mandela-Rhodes Foundation. She has also provided strategic insight as a Non-Executive Director across multiple private and public sector boards. Additionally, Dr. Melamu has held senior management roles, where she has successfully developed and implemented policies and strategies in energy, sustainability, and technology commercialization. As a thought leader, Dr. Melamu has authored numerous reports and thought leadership pieces on sustainability and green technologies. Her work has been widely recognized; in 2019, she was named one of Mail & Guardian's "Women Who Are Changing South Africa in the Public Sector." In 2024, she was also a finalist in the prestigious Standard Bank Top Women Awards, further underscoring her impact and leadership in the industry.

February 03, 2026Panel Discussion

February 03, 2026Country Focus: South Africa

Sessions

Session

What is next for Solar+Storage in Africa: Launch of GSCs Africa Market Outlook 2026-2029

Tuesday, February 03, 2026, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Karibu Expo Stage

Launch of our flagship report tracking the rapid rise of solar + storage across Africa. This latest edition provides a clear picture of today's market landscape and the outlook ahead-highlighting where momentum is building, what's changing, and where the next wave of opportunity lies. The report features in-depth analysis and country deep dives across 10 key markets: Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. It also explores how rooftop solar can accelerate Africa's energy transition while unlocking economic growth and job creation, and offers a dedicated chapter on scaling private finance to expand both utility-scale and distributed solar deployment. With practical policy recommendations and an investor-focused perspective, the Africa Market Outlook 2026-2029 equips decision-makers with the insights needed to help African countries tap into their massive solar + storage potential-and turn ambition into action.

Session

From Momentum to Maturity: Taking Southern Africa's Solar Market to the Next Level

Tuesday, February 03, 2026, 01:00 pm - 02:30 pm

Room: MWINA

Southern Africa is entering a new phase of solar market development, transitioning from early procurement-led growth to more complex questions around system integration, grid capacity, and long-term market sustainability. In several countries across the region, particularly South Africa, mature utility-scale and corporate PPA markets are now colliding with transmission constraints, curtailment risks, evolving market rules, and increasing demand for flexibility through storage and hybrid solutions. This session will focus on how Southern African solar markets can be taken to the next level by aligning policy frameworks, infrastructure planning, and private-sector innovation, drawing lessons from recent reforms, emerging commercial models, and regional power market dynamics. Through a regional overview followed by a targeted panel discussion, the session will provide practical insights into how governments, system operators, and industry can sustain investment momentum while building a more resilient and integrated power system.