Sandra Khoza is a dedicated social justice advocate and Project Coordinator at the Just Transition Labour Centre housed within Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), a leading economic policy research organisation based in Pretoria, South Africa. In her current role, Sandra manages and supports a portfolio of projects that champion a fair and inclusive shift to a greener economy. Her work focuses on ensuring that the voices of workers and communities are central in the development and implementation of just transition strategies. Sandra brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at the Congress of South African Trade Unions…

Kealeboga Baikgaki is an aspiring economist with an ongoing Master of Commerce in Economics at the North-West University. She holds a Bcom in Economics with Econometrics and Bcom Honours in Economics from NWU, obtained with distinction. She is passionate about student development, demonstrated though her roles as a supplemental instruction (SI) facilitator, student assistant and serving on the Golden Key International Honour Society’s executive committee. She has previously worked at the North-West Provincial Treasury under the Fiscal Policy and Macroeconomic Analysis unit. Her interests lie in economic research, energy security, sustainable economic development and policy analysis.

Lisa Ally is a dedicated and forward-thinking policy expert with extensive experience in developing interdisciplinary solutions to national sustainability and climate challenges. With a strong background in energy policy, international human rights, and sustainable development, Lisa has a proven track record of delivering high-impact, research-backed policy analysis that informs both national and international strategies. Their work spans gender equity, climate resilience, and just energy transitions, with a particular focus on advancing environmental sustainability across the country. Lisa brings deep expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, and systems thinking, consistently driving innovative, equitable solutions in complex policy environments. Their professional journey…

Dylan Kirsten is an Economist who joined TIPS in April 2025. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Before joining TIPS, he worked as a Junior Development Economist and as a Researcher in the consulting sector. Dylan has gained experience across both microeconomic and macroeconomic disciplines, contributing to a range of projects from firm-level projects to national industrialization and policy development. His work has primarily focused on the manufacturing sector and the broader industrialization and policy space, with experience spanning local, regional, and international contexts.

Monitoring added 27 projects to the Tracker in Q4 2024. The announced investment value amounts to R56.6 billion, from 22 projects. Investment was recorded in utilities, services and manufacturing. There are 13 841 reported job opportunities, recorded from 20 projects, mostly linked to the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement…

TIPS industry studies provide a comprehensive overview of key trends in leading industries in South Africa. They aim to provide background for policymakers and researchers, and to strengthen our understanding of current challenges and opportunities in each industry as a basis for a more strategic response.This study examines the carbon…

Lunga Msengana has over 20 years of experience in project environments. He had the opportunity to work in both private and public sectors. started his career as a Professional Engineering Technologist Engineering. He obtained a BSc Hons in Applied Science (with specialization in Electronic Engineering). Years later, his passion for projects led him to formally studying Project Management, which he obtained a Masters of Commerce in Project Management (Cum Laude) with Cranefield College of Project and Programme Management.He then completed his PhD in Commerce and Administration with the same institution in 2017. He is also a Project Management Professional (PMP®)…

Jeanette Mosia graduated from UCT with an Honours degree in Construction Management and Master’s Degree in Project Management.  She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and a Professional Construction Project Manager registered with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). Her background is in implementation of infrastructure projects within the public and private sector. She has transitioned into implantation of Sector Masterplans including the Sugar Industry Masterplan and the Forestry Sector Masterplan. She has just completed her Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration with the Gordon Institute…

With over 20 years of experience, Lionel is a trusted program and project manager known for delivering high-impact initiatives across engineering, infrastructure, and digital transformation. His work is grounded in disciplined execution, strategic stakeholder alignment, and a commitment to long-term, sustainable outcomes. Lionel combines the strengths of traditional project management with a progressive, future-focused mindset—helping organizations navigate complexity and achieve measurable results. Outside of his professional pursuits, Lionel is passionate about personal growth, wellness, and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Cynthia Olivia Jacobs thrives on leading multiple projects and training programmes. This includes drafting proposals, evaluating bids, drafting project contracts, monitoring projects, and implementing and closing out projects while staying within the project and delivering within time and budget. She has managed multiple national, international, youth development, training, policy, and events in government and private companies. Before joining TIPS, she was with YFCSA, Umsobomvu Youth Fund, now the National Youth Development Agency, Heartlines, and Volkswagen Group South Africa Training Academy. Her experience in projects stretches across national and international borders in Youth Development, Graduate Development Programmes, National Youth Service, International…

Keabetswe Moloto joined TIPS in September 2022. Keabetswe earned her Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Economics at Unisa and has experience in project management administration. Her interests are in the development and the implementation of public policy. She provides project management support for the Steel Master Plan, Medical Technologies Master Plan and the National Cannabis Master Plan, under the Project Management Unit. Her experience includes providing administrative support for a policy research and management directorate at the National Department of Social Development and has also worked for African Bank Limited.

Luthandolwethu Zondi joined TIPS as an Economist in October 2023. Prior to this, she served as a Junior Researcher at the Centre for Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII), where her focus was on conducting survey research related to Science, Technology, and Innovation. With an MPhil in Development Finance (Cum Laude) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School, Luthando's areas of expertise include inclusive economic development, financial inclusion, and sustainable development.

Engineering News -14 May 2025 by Marleny Arnoldi (Deputy Editor Online)

greenbuildingafrica.co.za -15 May 2025 by Bryan Groenendaal

Read online at Green Building Africa.

Who should use this tool

A shared understanding of what counts as a just transition project (and what doesn’t) is fundamental to improving interactions between funders, financiers, project support partners, policy makers and project originators/implementers. This free just transition project certification website provides consistent, rigorous and objective project assessments against a fixed set of criteria – the first step towards a shared vision.

The tool is designed to be used by everyone – from a large multi-national company to SMMEs to informal community groupings and is applicable across sectors and various lifecycles of a project.

• Are you the originator or implementer of a project: Use the tool to test whether your project would be considered a just transition project.
• In the business of funding, financing or providing support services to just transition projects? Use the tool to assess applications and requests.

What you can expect from using this tool

Once you have completed the on-line application process you will receive an instant response letting you know if your project qualifies as a just transition project or not. If you qualify you will receive a certificate with a unique QR Code as proof that your project meets the criteria of this framework.

• For project originators/implementers: Print/download your certificate and use it as a resource when you present your project to third parties. Please note: The certificate does not promise or entitle you to any funding, finance, support, access or preference.
• For project funders and supporters: Certification can complement your existing internal decision making processes. Please note: The certificate does not verify the veracity of the information in the application.

If a project does not qualify as a just transition project it does not mean it is a bad project. It only means that it does not meet the criteria of this particular framework. For the complete framework see Just Transition Tagging Research Papers.

The website does not provide reasons for the failure of an application.

At this time the website does not offer referrals or support services. We hope to change these in the future.

The website is entirely automated and there is no contact or support centre except as per the Terms and Conditions.

This is a TIPS framework and is not mandated by any financial institution or government body.

Why we need this tool

Without a shared understanding of what constitutes a just transition project financial instruments, services and support policies will not be forthcoming. This website not only provides a consistent gauge for originators and funders/financiers and policy makers to find common ground; the highly searchable database of anonymised information also provides empirical input to further understanding, alignment and measurement of just transition projects.

No personal information will be made public. All project information will be aggregated and anonymous. See Terms and Conditions for details.

The Application Process

STEP1: Registration

• Fill in the requested information
• You will receive a verification email from noreply-jtproject@tips.co.za
• If you do not receive the email please check your junk or spam folder
• Click on verify in the email

STEP 2 : Login

• Fill in requested login details
• Click on the create button and your application will begin.

You may complete as many applications as you wish with a single registration. However, if you are a funder/supporter/financier, make sure you choose the appropriate type of organisation for each different application you enter because different types of organisations receive different selection options and questions.

DISCLAIMER

Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies is a company duly registered in South Africa in terms of section 21 of the Companies Act, under registration number 2001/012247/08 (“TIPS”). Where applicable any reference to TIPS includes its representatives, directors, employees and contractors.

This TIPS website (“Website”) issues certificates based on a tool developed by TIPS (“Certification/Certificate”) and the Website contains information, materials and tools (including Certification) for free use by the public on a not-for-profit basis (“Users/User”).

This Website and Certification is not mandated by any governmental or financial institution/body/entity locally or abroad.

There should be no expectation by Users of this Website (and there is no representation made by TIPS) that Certification will afford, entitle or exclude any of them from any service, support, funding, finance, exposure, acknowledgement, preference, selection, qualification, consideration, bid or contract.

There should be no expectation by any third party relying upon receipt of an issued Certificate (and there is no representation made by TIPS) that the information submitted by the User to obtain the Certificate has in anyway been verified by TIPS or that it is accurate, truthful and complete.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE OF THIS WEBSITE

1. Users Own Risk

The User agrees that the use of the Website (including but not limited to Certification) is solely at his/her/its own risk and he/she/it waives any and all claims against TIPS. The User understands and agrees that:

(a) TIPS does not warrant and/or guarantee the accuracy, timelines, veracity, performance, completeness or suitability of Certification or of any of the information, materials or tools offered on this Website.

(b) TIPS does not warrant and/or guarantee that this Website will be uninterrupted or free for any defects, viruses or other harmful content.

(c) The User understands and acknowledges that the information, materials, tools on this Website (including but not limited to Certification) may contain inaccuracies, omissions or errors and that TIPS is expressly excluded from any liability or claims for any such inaccuracies, omissions or errors.

(d) The User understands, acknowledges and confirms that TIPS is not responsible or liable for any losses or damages, including but not limited to, indirect, direct, incidental, special, consequential or punitive losses or damages arising from any use of or reliance on any of the information, materials or tools on this Website (including but not limited to Certification).

(e) This disclaimer and exclusion of any liability and claims applies to any damages or injury, including but not limited to, indirect, direct, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages or losses whatsoever arising from any use of or reliance on any of the information, materials or tools on this Website (including but not limited to Certification), whether in contract, delict, tort or any other cause of action.

2. Third Parties Own Risk

The User agrees and undertakes in favour of TIPS to expressly inform any third party relying on a Certificate generated by this Website that:

(a) TIPS does not warrant and/or guarantee the accuracy, timelines, veracity, performance, completeness or suitability of any Certificate or any information or materials provided to any Third Party by any User.

(b) Any third party using or relying upon a Certificate is deemed to have agreed and acknowledged that it does so at his/her/its own risk and TIPS is not responsible or liable for any losses or damages, including but not limited to, indirect, direct, incidental, special, consequential or punitive losses or damages, whether in contract, delict, tort or any other cause of action, arising from that third party’s reliance on a Certificate.

(c) Any third party using or relying upon a Certificate is deemed to have agreed and acknowledged that the Certificate may contain inaccuracies, omissions or errors and that TIPS is expressly excluded from any liability or claims for any such inaccuracies, omissions or errors.

(d) Any third party using or relying upon a Certificate waives any and all claims against TIPS.

3. Privacy

Terms defined in applicable privacy legislation shall have the same meaning in the following sub-paragraphs:

(a) The User understands, acknowledges and consents to his/her personal information being captured on the Website as part of the Certification service. TIPS is committed to protecting a User’s privacy and to ensure that any personal information is captured and processed (where applicable) lawfully on its Website.

(b) A User may at any time request TIPS to delete or remove any personal information by emailing: noreply-jtproject@tips.org.za

(c) The User understands, acknowledges and consents to any business information (including but not limited to type of enterprise, province, type of project, scope of project, sector, budget, funding, community engagement, objectives, activities and empowerment) captured on the Website being made available for research and analysis at TIPS and/or by TIPS approved researchers. Only de-identified data is used for research and analysis at TIPS and/or by TIPS approved researchers (identified data is information that can be linked to either an owner or a specific business). Business information captured by Users on the Website will remain anonymous.

(d) TIPS has taken appropriate and reasonable technical and organisational measures to prevent loss of, damage to or unauthorized access to, processing of or destruction of a User’s personal information captured on the Website.

(e) Parts of the Website relies on cookies. Cookies are only used to track and facilitate the User’s use of the Website. Cookies are not used by TIPS for advertising or unsolicited communication. The User consent to the use of cookies on the Website.

4. Intellectual property, copyright and restriction on use

(a) The Website contains information, research and other content which is derived entirely or in part from information, research and other content supplied by, owned and/or licensed to TIPS (“TIPS intellectual property”). TIPS intellectual property is protected under applicable South African intellectual property and copyright laws and international treaties and conventions.

(b) TIPS intellectual property includes, but is not limited to, the content, logo, brand, design, layout, look, appearance and graphics on the Website. Reproduction or copying of TIPS intellectual property is prohibited in terms of South African intellectual property and copyright laws and international treaties and conventions.

(b) No person, business or website may: (1) link to any page on the Website without prior written consent from TIPS; (2) frame the Website or any of the pages on the Website in any way whatsoever; or (3) use any technology to search and gain any information from the Website without prior written consent from TIPS.

(d) No person may reproduce, duplicate, publish, modify, copy, download, upload in any manner, post, broadcast or transmit, reverse engineer or disenable, display, or distribute or in any way exploit any of the Website’s software on content material. It is strictly prohibited to create works and/or software materials derived from or which are based on the contents found on the Website.

(d) Requests for prior written consent from TIPS regarding use of any contents which fall within the ambit of the limitations stated above can be made by contacting TIPS in writing at: noreply-jtproject@tips.org.za

5.              Implications of Certification

(a) TIPS makes no representation or undertaking that the issuance of a Certificate by or through the Website will afford, entitle or exclude a User from any service, support, funding, finance, exposure, acknowledgement, preference, selection, qualification, consideration, bid or contract.

(b) Certification is an outcome of a fully automated process with no human evaluation. TIPS will not provide any reasons for failure to achieve Certification. TIPS will not enter into any communication, discussion, negotiation or arbitration of any kind about any Certification.

These terms and conditions shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute arising from these terms and conditions shall be exclusively subject to the jurisdiction of the courts and/or tribunals of the Republic of South Africa. TIPS has the exclusive right to change or discontinue any aspect or feature of the Website and/or Certification without prior notice to anyone.

Acceptance of terms and conditions tick box:

Thobani Khumalo is a Multimedia Intern at TIPS. He is a photographer, motion picture creator, and researcher who was previously affiliated with the Contemporary Archive Project, ACCORD, HEARD, Statistics South Africa, and the Institute for Economic Justice. His images explore themes of water apartheid, gender, and geopolitics, and they have been exhibited in physical spaces and published in books and magazines. He graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, obtaining an honours degree in Media and Cultural Studies and a Master's in Development Studies. His publications include migrant men constructing masculinities in an informal urban settlement in South Africa, systematic exclusion…

This policy brief examines the funding gaps for small to medium enterprises in South Africa: the sustainability of SMEs requires better access to formal financial services. It first provides an overview of SMEs in South Africa, comprising information about the size of both the formal and informal small business sectors,…

This brief policy is an analysis of South Africa’ imports between 1995 and 2023. The aim is to provide an understanding of changes in the extent and composition of imports over this period. The analysis classifies imports based on the industry in which they fall, and whether they are intermediate…

In Q4 2024, South Africa’s exports grew 1% quarter-on-quarter, from R515 billion in Q3 2024 to R521 billion in Q4 2024. Quarterly export growth was driven by increased exports to Area Not Elsewhere Specified (NES), Belgium, Germany and Japan, but was stifled by reduced exports to Mozambique, China and the…