Sihle is an Engineering Manager specializing in electricity regulation at the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority. Based in Eswatini, he focuses on renewable energy projects, policies, and frameworks—including those related to minigrids.
Each month, the Africa Minigrids Program aims to spotlight an individual from one of the participating countries working tirelessly to advance the initiative at the regional or national level.
April’s Champion of the Month, Sihle Brian Magagula, recently stepped into the role of Project Manager for AMP Eswatini, having already been active as a member of the technical team.
Q: What’s your story—how did you end up working in the clean energy industry?
A: I am the AMP Eswatini Project Manager and oversee the implementation of the AMP through a series of activities and interventions with the Program’s implementing partners, under the guidance of the Program’s development partners—namely the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), RMI (formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute), and the Global Environment Fund (GEF). I assumed this role as a continuation of the work carried out by AMP Eswatini’s former Project Manager, Mr. Saneliso Makhanya.
My role in the energy industry in Eswatini began when I started working at the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA). I became immersed in the regulatory field, focusing on renewable energy projects within ESERA’s regulatory scope. I have also worked on energy policies and frameworks for minigrids throughout my career, through my engagement with various energy stakeholders and colleagues at ESERA. Over the years, I have also participated in the AMP as part of the Technical Advisory Team.
Q: Briefly describe your role and involvement with AMP so far.
A: Despite my previous interactions with the AMP in a general capacity, as mentioned above, I’ve eased into this new role quickly and continue to acclimate expediently to the various facets of the AMP, thanks to the support from the colleagues I’m working with under the project.
Moreover, I was privileged to participate in the AMP Community of Practice sessions at the recently held Energy Access Investment Forum (EAIF) in Uganda. There, I attended insightful and collaborative sessions on the fundamentals of minigrid markets, strategies for achieving long-term energy access through policy, regulation, and financing, among other key AMP-related focus areas.
Q: What excites you most about the potential of AMP, specifically in your country?
A: Despite the country’s high electrification rate, Eswatini has geographical features that restrict grid access to some of its last-mile communities. Hence, this presents opportunities for the development of minigrids to help achieve universal access to modern energy. Further, minigrids also present an opportunity to promote economic growth through product energy use initiatives in previously disadvantaged communities.
Q: What is one thing you want people to know about minigrids and access to electricity?
A: The minigrid sub-sector in Eswatini is still nascent and has been characterized by challenges to private sector investment in Africa due to gaps in minigrid policies and regulations. However, over the years, more countries have developed minigrid-specific regulatory frameworks and guidelines which help improve policy and regulatory certainty for minigrid investment, amongst other benefits.
Eswatini, for its part, has developed a Minigrid and Microgrid Regulatory Framework, which is applicable to new and existing microgrid and minigrid projects in Eswatini.
I believe that these dedicated minigrid policies will help set up clear operational guidelines and technical standards in the minigrid sector in Eswatini and further promote enhanced energy access in the country.