ABOUT KIJANI ENDELEVU ENERGIES
The name Kijani finds its roots in the Swahili language, meaning “green”, symbolizing vitality, renewal, and a deep-rooted connection to nature. Throughout history the name Kijani has been used and embraced by various East African communities to reflect their deep connection with nature and commitment to a sustainable environment.
In traditional societies, where the natural world is still playing a crucial role in the sustainable way of life. Endelevu, meaning “sustainable “served as a reminder of the importance of preserving and nurturing the Earth’s resources while reinforcing our mission to create long-term energy solutions that honour both people and the planet.
At Kijani Endelevu Energies, we are dedicated to advancing Africa’s transition to clean, renewable energy by harnessing decarbonized, decentralized, and digitalized energy solutions. Inspired by the wisdom of traditional societies that thrived in harmony with nature, we strive to power communities with sustainable energy while preserving the continent’s rich natural resources for generations to come.
Our vision is clear: a greener, more resilient Africa, built on the principles of innovation, responsibility, and environmental stewardship.
Join us in Electrifying Africa as we build tomorrow.
Kijani Endelevu Energies a privately black-owned and black controlled company was established in 2020 to take advantage of South Africa’s inherent high solar and wind potential, government incentives promoting renewable energy, significant demand for reliable electricity amidst power outages, a growing environmental awareness, and the potential for creating jobs in the renewable lifecycle.
Nearly 600 million people in Africa lack electricity, which is half of the continent’s population. Africa has an opportunity to reduce reliance on fossil fuel, foster energy independence and promote economic growth whilst electrifying communities with dispatchable renewable energy as a cheaper, reliable and affordable energy alternative.
The World Bank Group and the African Development have committed to providing electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. This is known as “Mission 300”.
Access to electricity can improve education, health services, and job creation. It can also help fight poverty and promote equality. Kijani is playing an active role in improving the lives of communities it invests in with deep rooted socio-economic development initiatives to empower communities.
Kijani gets involved right through the project life cycle of a greenfield renewable energy project, from site identification and land acquisition to permitting.
Kijani has developed a 10GW pipeline at various stages of development.
How We Work
Our Value Proposition
Our team of professionals have the requisite experience in managing a greenfield project through its entire life-cycle, including the phases of initiation, planning and permitting, demonstrating an understanding of each stage and the tasks involved in successfully completing a project from start to ready to build.
Kijani Project Development Process Flow
Our ready to build ready projects can bypass backlogged interconnection queues and provide quicker returns for investors and developers.
Project Origination
Identifying, conceptualizing, and initiating low risk energy projects with high-impact potential in underserved African communities.
Site Screening
Conducting thorough techno-commercial evaluations to select the most viable locations for sustainable energy infrastructure.
Environmental Impact Assessments
Assessing and mitigating environmental and social risks to ensure responsible and compliant project development.
Resource Assessment
Analysing solar, wind, and added battery energy storage systems.
High Voltage Concept Design
Designing efficient high-voltage transmission and distribution solutions to connect communities to reliable power.
Engineering Design
Developing robust, scalable, and cost-effective engineering solutions tailored to the African energy landscape.
OUR BUSINESS
Kijani is a greenfield renewable energy development company involved in the process of developing ready to build sustainable energy projects by prioritising land owned by historically disadvantaged communities.
Kijani Value Chain Area of Focus
Our Mission
Our mission is to electrify communities in the African continent with reliable and affordable energy to unlock economic opportunities and improve the lives of the community members.
By integrating innovative technologies and community-driven models, we empower people and businesses to thrive in a just energy transition with limited negative impact to planet earth
Our Values
Ubuntu
Inspired by the African philosophy of interconnectedness, we recognize that electrification is not just about power, but about shared prosperity and collective well-being. We believe that we are stronger together by championing diversity and inclusion.
Responsible Empowerment
Giving back to the communities where we work and live and helping our communities prosper. We believe in energy driven solutions, where electrification goes beyond access to enable entrepreneurship, education and self-sufficiency.
Integrity
Doing the right thing even when no one is watching. We show integrity without compromise and have the courage to be bold and fearless.
Resilient Innovation
We design energy solutions that withstand Africa’s diverse challenges whether political, environmental, or economic and ensuring a lasting impact.
Jua-Kazi Approach
Named after “Jua” (sun) and “Kazi” (work), we embrace a hands-on, pragmatic approach, integrating renewable sources into solutions that power real economic productivity
OUR PEOPLE
SIFISO SHONGWE
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Sifiso is the co-founding member and was Chief Executive Officer of Moshesh Partners, a clean infrastructure and renewable energy fund.
Sifiso has extensive experience as a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in infrastructure principal investing, financial advisory, mergers & acquisitions, project finance and credit operations and front office experience across retail, commercial, corporate and investment banking. He has worked in various markets including Africa, the USA, and the United Kingdom.
Prior to co-founding Kijani Endelevu Energies, Sifiso has served in key leadership positions including Ernst & Young and the Barclays Africa Group.
He has enjoyed a dynamic career in infrastructure finance including advising on the refinancing of some of the round 1 projects of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, a public-private partnership between the South African government and private investors.
He was also the lead advisor of the refinancing restructure of Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Mozambique's pre-eminent hydropower generation company, which won the Project Finance 2007 Deal of the Year.
Key Skills:
Renewable energy project development, Corporate and Project Financing, Business Development, Mergers & Acquisitions and Debt & Equity finance.
Advisory Board Members
CHARLES LIEBENBERG
Mergers & Acquisitions
Charles started the project finance division at Standard Bank in the 1990s.
Subsequently, Charles established the power project finance business of Investec
Bank UK. At Investec, he notably co-developed a 400MW CCGT project in the
Republic of Ireland.
After 12 years in investment banking, in 2003 Charles founded BioTherm Energy,
the first IPP in South Africa. He pioneered the C&I sector in South Africa which
today is a major contributor to alleviating the country’s power crisis.
As CEO,
Charles raised US$150M in growth equity from Denham Capital and oversaw the
successful development and acquisition of several assets.
With his teams, Charles has financed, developed, and owned energy assets
across several technologies including coal, gas, solar, anaerobic digestion, and
biomass.
He has advised on the development of dozens of renewable energy
projects across the African continent.
Key Skills:
Project finance, Mergers and acquisitions, Privatization, and Renewable energy project development.
NCEDIWE MAYEKISO
Environmental & Social Economic Development
Ncediwe is an experienced environmental thought leader with a passion for sustainable infrastructure projects that cultivate social economic development in underdeveloped communities that surround renewable energy projects.
Ncediwe has enjoyed a nearly three-decade career in the built environment, playing a critical role in the implementation of the national environmental management act and overall environmental governance in the projects she has led.
Key Skills:
Environmental Impact Assessments, Environmental management programmes (EMP’s), EMS ISO 14 0001 and OHSAS 18 001
NONHLANHLA MABUSELA (CA(SA)
Investments
Nonhlanhla is an ex-investment banker with more than ten years’ experience in project and structured finance transactions.
She completed her accounting articles at KPMG Inc, where she spent a year in the corporate finance department. She spent four years of her career at Nedbank Capital as a senior transactor in the power, oil and gas project finance department.
She has also held various Chief Executive Officer positions in the mining and mining
services sector. She also serves as an independent member of the IDC Executive Credit
and Investment Committee, and on the DBSA Infrastructure Fund Advisory Committee, and
also a board member of South African Forestry Company, (and Chairs the Audit and Risk
Committee) and Growthpoint Student Accommodation Reit (where she also Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee).
Key Skills:
Energy and Infrastructure, Investment Banking, Business Development.
JOEL POPOOLA
Markets and Business Development
Joel has over 27 years of experience in business development, banking, and finance across Africa and the UK.
Joel is a Partner at Anchora Advisory Group, advising businesses on global expansion and competitive positioning. As Africa Advisor for EStars, he drives esports integration in education, and as Chair of IoD Africa Group, he strengthens UK-Africa business relations.
Joel holds a postgraduate qualification in Global Business from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and executive education from Cambridge. A Trustee for EMMS International, he combines strategic leadership with a passion for innovation and sustainable impact.
Key Skills:
Corporate & Competitive Strategy, Scenario Planning, Corporate diplomacy, Reputation Management, Market & non-Market Strategy
Site selection and evaluation
Our land and GIS mapping team analyzes land parcels to find the best locations for renewable energy generation, including securing land rights and community support.
Design
Our design team creates conceptual designs, planning assessments, and technical evaluations to ensure projects meet technical, environmental, and visual guidelines.
Permits and approvals
Our planning and development team manages the environmental, social, legal and technical requirements to secure planning approvals including environmental approvals, grid connections, and other consents.
Community engagement
Actively involving local communities in the planning process to address concerns and build support for the project.
Projects
GW
Early Stage
GW
Late Stage
Early and Late Stage Development Pipeline
Project Location
News
Small towns in South Africa can benefit from renewable energy…
South Africa’s Northern Cape province has become a prime area for investment…
Contact Us
info@kijanienergies.com
Phone
+27 71 600 3899
Office
55 Mandeville Road, Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Work with us and submit your cv to:
admin@kijanienergies.com
INVESTORS
For investment opportunities you can contact us at
info@kijanienergies.com