Call for Expression of Interest: CSIR/EWSETA Energy Industry Support

The CSIR Energy Industry Support Programme (EISP), funded through a partnership between CSIR and EWSETA, provides capacity building and technology incubation support to South African-owned SMMEs in the broader energy value chain. The initiative aims to equip enterprises with technical, business, and policy-related skills to participate meaningfully in renewable energy markets, while helping to fill critical skills gaps in the emerging energy industry and contributing to localisation, industrial development, and improved quality of life in South Africa.​

Through two complementary streams Capacity Building and Technical Incubation Services the programme supports both aspiring and established energy-sector SMMEs with structured training, mentoring, and technology development support, with the cost of the interventions covered by CSIR and EWSETA (participants cover only data, travel and accommodation where applicable). Over four years, the programme plans to train 40 SMMEs through capacity building and 20 SMMEs through technical incubation, building a stronger, innovation-driven energy SMME base in South Africa.​

Countries Eligible to Apply

• South Africa only – the programme specifically targets South African-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) operating in, or entering, the energy sector.​

Programme Streams

1. Capacity Building Programme

• Target group: South African-owned SMMEs focusing on the energy sector, or individuals pursuing enterprises within the energy sector.​
• Format: A 1-week (5-day), full-day course hosted at the CSIR in Pretoria, covering emerging energy technologies and opportunities for SMMEs.​
• Key topics include:
  • Value chain analysis of renewable energy technologies.
  • Opportunities for enterprise development in the energy transition.
  • Project finance and business case development for renewable energy projects.
  • Policy and regulatory considerations, with strong focus on SMME opportunities.​
• Priority: Higher consideration is given to women and persons with disabilities.​
• Scale: The capacity building initiative aims to train a total of 40 SMMEs over the next 4 years.​
• Cost to participants: Training is funded; participants may need to cover accommodation, travel and other non-training costs.​
• Application deadline: 9 February 2026.​

2. Technical Incubation Services

• Target group: South African-owned SMMEs that already have established enterprises within the energy sector, beyond start-up stage.​
• Focus: SMMEs already offering products or services in the energy space but struggling with technical expertise in renewable energy.​
• Support:
  • Technical incubation by the CSIR Energy Research Centre.
  • Screening against pre-determined criteria to identify enterprises with strong growth and industry-building potential.​
• Scale: The incubation initiative aims to support 20 SMMEs over the next 4 years.​
• Application deadline: 9 February 2026.​

Click HERE to apply.