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Dr Muki Moeng DVC: Teaching and Learning, Dr Andrew de Vries uYilo e-Mobility Programme Director and Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina
Speaking at the uYilo e-Mobility Summit 2026 at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha last week, the Deputy Minister emphasised the need for South Africa to seize the opportunities presented by the global transition to electric mobility.
The 2026 uYilo E-Mobility Summit brought together representatives from government, industry and academia, as well as development partners and technology developers, to identify practical measures to accelerate electric mobility implementation and strengthen South Africa’s participation in emerging value chains.
"The question before us is not whether electric mobility will happen. The question is whether South Africa will capture value from it.
"We have the minerals, the research capability, the industrial base and the policy instruments needed to participate meaningfully in the green economy," said the Deputy Minister.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the critical role of science, technology and innovation in supporting the growth of a locally competitive battery industry, noting that the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s green transition strategy is anchored on the hydrogen economy and the battery economy.
Through the Energy Storage Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Programme, the government is supporting the development of technologies, intellectual property and skills that can strengthen South Africa's participation in global battery and electric vehicle value chains.
A key milestone in this effort is a strategic collaboration between the University of Limpopo and the Manganese Metal Company, which have successfully demonstrated pilot-scale production of battery-grade manganese sulphate from locally available manganese resources and locally developed and publicly funded intellectual property.
The initiative advances South Africa’s mineral beneficiation objectives by converting locally mined manganese into high-value material for lithium-ion battery production.
In addition, the Energy Storage RDI Flagship Programme provides specialised training across the lithium-ion battery value chain. The programme has achieved a graduate absorption rate exceeding 70%, with participants securing employment opportunities across various industries.
"We must convert innovation into industrial participation, investment, jobs and inclusive growth. Together, we can accelerate electric mobility, expand local manufacturing, create quality jobs and position South Africa as a leader in Africa's green industrial revolution," the Deputy Minister said.
In her opening address, Professor Muki Moeng, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching at Nelson Mandela University, stated that electric mobility formed part of South Africa’s broader Just Energy Transition.
“We need reliable electricity and charging infrastructure. We need batteries and the ability to test, reuse and recycle them. We need people who are trained to work safely with these new technologies.
"We need South African businesses that can develop, manufacture and supply products and services. And we need government, universities and industry to work together to make all of this happen,” said Prof Moeng.
Research, innovation and sustainability were important to the realisation of this vision, she said. This means using research to better understand real-world challenges, developing new technologies and solutions, preparing students and professionals with the skills needed for a changing world, and working with industry, government and other partners to put knowledge into practice.
Mr Chris Joseph Abraham, the founder and CEO of EV-Fleet, an engineering consultancy based in Stellenbosch, said data was needed to develop EV solutions that have financial, environmental and technical benefits to society.
“The summit’s objective is to bring together all these organisations to share the data, knowledge and potential partnership to make industry participation possible,” said Mr Abraham.
Under the theme “Accelerating Electric Mobility Implementation in South Africa: From Innovation to Industrial Participation, the summit featured an exhibition of the latest electric vehicles.
On display were the eKamva minibus, South Africa’s first 15-seater electric minibus taxi, as well as the Thula, the country’s first game-viewing vehicle designed for silent, zero-emission wildlife safaris. Another proudly South African product is the Microcare Energy electric vehicle charger.