IDC Partners with Changa Energy to drive Renewable Energy Transition for local enterprises through structured financing energy solution

Media Statement

October 2025

IDC Partners with Changa Energy to drive Renewable Energy Transition for local enterprises through structured financing energy solution

Johannesburg – South African industries are facing unprecedented energy challenges, from soaring electricity costs, and unstable supply, to ageing grid infrastructure and shrinking profit margins.

To tackle these challenges, Changa Energy (Pty) Ltd, a 100% black-owned company, is stepping in with a bold solution: a financed model for businesses that removes the need for upfront capital (CAPEX) investment. This model is enabled through funding from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) under its Energy Services Company (ESCo) programme.

This multi-million-rand initiative will unlock energy projects across the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector over the next two years, removing upfront investment barriers for businesses while supporting sustainable growth and job creation.

This not only accelerates the green energy transition but also drives much-needed inclusive economic growth.

Driving transformation: Inside the IDC's ESCo programme

The IDC’s ESCo funding programme is more than a funding initiative, it's a launchpad for industrial-scale change, delivering both direct and indirect jobs to the South African economy. It is designed to support companies within the C&I sectors, including manufacturing, chemicals, agriculture, and heavy industries. The programme enables ESCos like Changa Energy to offer tailored financial solutions that utilise the latest energy technologies and deliver cost savings to clients.

Crucially, it prioritises black-owned, black-managed enterprises and transformed businesses, ensuring the green transition is both sustainable and inclusive. Once funding is fully deployed, Changa Energy’s portfolio will rival small – to medium-sized utility-scale projects in total power generation. "This is not just about financing projects; it is about powering the future of South Africa," said Christo Fourie, Head of Energy at IDC. “Changa Energy’s mission to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and improve profitability across the C&I sectors, aligns perfectly with our vision of a more resilient, industrialised South Africa.”

A major leap towards energy independence

With IDC's backing, Changa Energy is set to scale its delivery of cutting-edge, client-focused energy solutions, from solar PV systems to battery storage, microgrids, and advanced tech-driven energy monitoring. These technologies have the potential to cut customer energy costs, enhancing profitability, boosting competitiveness, and protecting jobs in sectors affected by unreliable power supply or load-shedding.

Beyond energy savings, the initiative will create direct and indirect jobs countrywide, injecting vital economic stimulus into these communities.

“This is a turning point,” said Ms. Mickey Mashale, CEO of Changa Energy. “Receiving funding under the IDC’s ESCo funding programme empowers us to scale up faster, innovate further, and expand our reach. It also paves the way for transformative projects such as local solar panel, battery, micro-grid, and cabling manufacturing facilities—led by black-owned firms, backed by institutions like the IDC, and built for long-term impact.”

Public-Private partnership at its best

This strategic partnership demonstrates how government and private sector collaboration can drive national development. With shared values and complementary strengths, IDC and Changa Energy are leading the charge towards inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure, and long-term energy resilience and security.