Just energy transitions are difficult, especially for emerging economies such as South Africa, where decarbonisation must be balanced with economic development, employment and energy security. Since its launch at COP26 in 2021, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) sought to meet this challenge through international finance, political commitment, and coordinated planning.
The partnership has faced legitimate criticism. Progress has been slower than anticipated, financing has not always matched expectations, and differences in priorities between South Africa and its international partners have shaped implementation. Yet, the JETP has delivered important early gains that provide a foundation for further progress.
This first blog in a three-part series argues that, despite its limitations, the initial phase of South Africa’s JETP has delivered several important early successes. From establishing a coherent policy framework to strengthening investmenet planning and mobilising international support, these achievements provide a platform for the next phase of implementation and valuable lessons for other countries pursuing just energy transitions.
A strong policy foundation that built confidence
One of the most important early successes of South Africa’s JETP has been its ability to anchor the transition in a clear and credible national policy framework. The JET Implementation Plan draws on existing national commitments such as the 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and the Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy (LEDS), which together define South Africa’s pathway toward lower emissions.
This alignment has been reinforced by the Just Transition Framework, which embeds equity, social protection, and inclusion into climate policy by linking climate action to tackling de-industrialisation, unemployment, inequality, and poverty. The JET has also been sustained through high-level, International Partner Group (IPG) led diplomacy, with continued political engagement helping sustain political momentum, strengthen international cooperation and attract investment. In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa positioned the energy transition as a catalyst for growth, investment, energy security, and inclusive development.
Turning policy into actionable planning and mobilising international finance
The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) 2023–2027 translated South Africa’s energy policies and long-term ambitions into an actionable plan and introduced necessary governance strictures. It has been central to identifying South Africa’s energy, economic, and social investment priorities, and because it was developed as a country-led investment plan, has strengthened national ownership and made the partnership responsive to domestic needs.
Crucially, the JET IP quantifies both the risks and the opportunities associated with the transition. It highlights the vulnerability of coal-dependent regions, particularly Mpumalanga, while also identifying new growth sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen. It outlines the scale of investment required; estimated at around ZAR 1.5 trillion (~ $90 billion) over five years, helping create a transparent basis for engagement with investors and development partners.
The JETP’s initial ability to unlock large-scale international public finance stands out as one of its most visible early achievements. Launched in 2021, the partnership committed $8.5 billion in support. Since then, pledged finance has grown to more than $14 billion through additional contributions and multilateral financing are included, with$6.12 billion now allocated. Although this remains well below the total investment South Africa needs to fully decarbonise, and concerns remain about the quantity of finance disbursed and its forms, it still represents a major step in mobilising finance.
Supporting South Africa’s energy sector reforms
The JETP also supports South Africa’s energy sector reforms by providing an investment and implementation platform that helps turn policy and legislative change into practical delivery. As reforms such as the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act of 2024 open the sector to greater competition and private participation, the JETP helps mobilise the finance, coordination, and international support needed to make these changes effective in practice.
The JETP is closely aligned with South Africa’s broader electricity sector reform agenda, including the unbundling of Eskom and the establishment of the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), which aim to create a more efficient and competitive electricity market. While these reforms are being driven through domestic policy processes, JETP support for transmission infrastructure and grid expansion complements these efforts by helping to address one of the transition’s most significant barriers: limited grid capacity. By mobilising finance for transmission investments, the partnership can help create the enabling conditions needed for NTCSA to fulfil its mandate of connecting new generation capacity, particularly renewable energy projects, to the grid.
Embedding justice through participation and targeted support
South Africa’s approach has prioritised a just transition, ensuring that affected workers and communities are included in decision-making through platforms such as the Presidential Climate Commission. This commitment is increasingly being translated into action through skills development, retraining programmes, and community support initiatives aimed at protecting livelihoods and promoting social stability as the country gradually phases out coal.
Laying the groundwork for long-term transformation
South Africa’s JETP experience demonstrates that meaningful progress is possible even in the face of complex political, economic and social challenges. While South Africa has led the development of policy reforms and implementation frameworks, international partners have supported these efforts through concessional finance, technical assistance, and institutional capacity building. Together, these contributions have helped establish a strong foundation for delivery.
The next phase of the partnership will need to focus on scaling finance, strengthening implementation support, and accelerating progress towards tangible outcomes for workers, communities and the broader economy.
These early successes offer lessons for sustaining momentum and informing similar efforts globally. South Africa’s experience is already shaping JETPs in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal, demonstrating that successful partnerships need sustained political commitment, honest reflection, and genuine collaboration.
The significant challenges that remain will be explored in the next piece in this series.
