Women are not only participants in Africa’s energy transition; they are increasingly driving the research, innovation and collaboration needed to shape its future. This was the message from CSIR researcher Nomthandazo Mabena, who joined women leaders, researchers and industry experts at the Women in Tech-Driven Energy Future event in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
Hosted by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Skills Mine South Africa at WeWork Rosebank, the event brought together women working across business, technology, artificial intelligence (AI), research and industry. The platform provided an opportunity to explore how women can contribute to Africa’s rapidly evolving technology and energy landscape, while strengthening connections between research, industry and society.
Nomthandazo’s participation formed part of the CSIR’s continued support for platforms that advance science, technology and innovation, while showcasing the expertise of its researchers on issues of strategic importance to South Africa and the continent.
During the event, Mabena delivered a presentation titled “Women Leading Sustainable Innovation in Research, Development and Innovation: Energy Storage, Green Hydrogen and Digital Mapping.” Her presentation examined how emerging technologies, particularly electrochemical technologies and artificial intelligence, can help address some of Africa’s most pressing energy challenges.
She highlighted the potential of advanced energy storage, green hydrogen and digital mapping to support a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future. These technologies can play an important role in strengthening energy systems, supporting the integration of renewable energy and enabling data-driven approaches to understanding and managing energy resources.
For Nomthandazo, however, technological advancement is only one part of the innovation journey. The greater measure of success is whether scientific knowledge can move beyond the laboratory and deliver tangible benefits to society.
“Collaboration is a multiplier. That is why it is important to acknowledge that innovation is not complete when the experiment works; it must be transferable,” Nomthandazo said.
Her remarks underscored the importance of building stronger connections between researchers, industry, policymakers and communities to ensure that promising technologies are not confined to research environments but are translated into solutions that respond to real-world needs.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for women to participate meaningfully across the energy innovation value chain from research and development to commercialisation, deployment and policy. As Africa seeks to address energy security, decarbonisation and economic development simultaneously, diverse expertise and perspectives will be essential to developing solutions that are both scientifically robust and socially relevant.
Nomthandazo’s contribution reflects the CSIR’s broader role in using scientific research and technological innovation to address complex societal challenges. It also demonstrates how researchers can contribute beyond their laboratories by engaging in conversations that connect science with industry, policy and the wider public.
As Africa navigates its energy transition, the message from the event was clear: innovation must be collaborative, inclusive and designed for impact. By bringing women’s expertise and leadership to the forefront of energy and technology conversations, platforms such as the Women in Tech-Driven Energy Future event can help shape a future in which scientific advancement translates into sustainable solutions for the continent.
Published 18 September 2026