AFREC Enhances SA’s Energy Data Capacity with Technical Training Workshop

The African Energy Commission (AFREC) successfully concluded a pivotal three-day technical training workshop in South Africa from 30 July to 1 August 2025, designed to bolster the country’s ability to compile, analyse, and manage comprehensive national energy statistics. This initiative represents a critical milestone in strengthening energy data governance and regional collaboration in Southern Africa, enabling more effective energy policy formulation and sustainable development planning.

Building Capacity for Robust Energy Data Management

The workshop targeted national focal points and key stakeholders from South Africa’s core energy and environmental institutions, including the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). Of the 20 participants, 12 were women, demonstrating AFREC’s commitment to fostering gender inclusivity within the energy sector’s technical workforce.

Central to the training was the Energy Balance Questionnaire, one of AFREC’s four foundational data collection tools alongside instruments on energy efficiency, prices and taxes, and power plant capacity. Accurate completion of this questionnaire is essential for creating national energy balances, which in turn feed into the Africa Energy Information System (AEIS)—a continental platform designed to harmonize and disseminate reliable energy data across African Union member states.

Strategic Importance of Reliable Energy Data

“Reliable energy data is indispensable for informed decision-making and effective policy implementation across Africa,” emphasized Ms. Salome Maheya, Senior Policy Officer for Energy Statistics at AFREC, delivering remarks on behalf of Executive Director Rashid Ali Abdallah. “South Africa, as a leading economy on the continent, plays a crucial role in ensuring that Africa’s energy data accurately reflects real-world conditions and supports continental integration.”

Accurate energy statistics allow governments to design effective energy policies, monitor carbon emissions, plan investments in renewables and infrastructure, and enhance overall energy security—a priority for achieving Africa’s sustainable development goals.

Hands-On Learning Through Validated Training Modules

AFREC developed a series of specialised training modules in 2023, rigorously validated by technical experts and regional coordinators to ensure alignment with best practices and international standards. These modules underpinned the workshop’s curriculum, combining theoretical lessons with practical exercises and case studies to enhance participants’ proficiency in data collection, validation, and compilation techniques.

Participants engaged in detailed walkthroughs of energy data inputs, covering fuel consumption, electricity generation, imports and exports, and conversion factors, crucial for constructing accurate and consistent national energy balances.

South Africa’s Enhanced Reporting and Regional Role

Historically, South Africa faced challenges in completing the Energy Balance Questionnaire with full accuracy and timeliness, hampering both national and continental data reliability. Mr. Robert Kwinda, representing the Department of Electricity and Energy, hailed the workshop as a significant breakthrough: "This training transcends improved reporting—it strengthens South Africa’s contribution to a reliable continental energy database. It positions us to meet international obligations, improve domestic energy policy planning, track emissions more effectively, and enhance forecasting capabilities."

Fostering Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Energy Futures

The workshop exemplifies increasing regional cooperation within Africa on energy data and statistics, aligning with AFREC’s mandate to support African Union member states in developing National Energy Information Systems (NEIS). These systems are vital tools for continental integration, enabling coordinated responses to energy challenges such as access, efficiency, and climate change mitigation.

As Africa pushes forward with ambitious energy transition and carbon reduction goals, the quality and availability of energy data become indispensable pillars. Improved data systems empower governments, investors, and civil society to make evidence-based decisions that accelerate progress toward energy security, sustainability, and economic growth.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum and Impact

Building on the success of this workshop, AFREC plans to conduct further capacity-building initiatives across the continent, targeting countries with varying levels of data management maturity. Continued training, peer learning, and technical support will ensure that African nations can uphold rigorous energy data standards and meet their international reporting commitments.

South Africa’s enhanced capabilities will also support the broader Africa Energy Information System, enabling a more comprehensive and transparent view of the continent’s energy landscape. This, in turn, will facilitate better policymaking, regional energy market development, and climate action.