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By Lutho Mbonambi, Specialist: Systems Change Initiative

South Africa is home to a growing generation of young people eager to contribute, innovate and work. As the economy evolves, the opportunity lies in expanding beyond traditional sectors and investing in new pathways for inclusive growth. The green economy stands out as one of the most promising of these, a sunrise sector with the potential to create jobs, drive innovation and shape a more sustainable future.

The concept of sunrise sectors is critical in understanding where opportunity lies. While overall economic growth has remained sluggish and the formal economy has not expanded fast enough to absorb the number of young people entering the labour market, certain sectors are growing more rapidly and offer stronger prospects for employment.

These sectors are characterised by their ability to absorb large numbers of young people, provide entry-level opportunities and respond to rising demand. The green economy stands out as one such area of opportunity, alongside sectors such as digital services and tourism.

The green economy encompasses activities such as renewable energy, waste management and climate-resilient infrastructure. Within this landscape, subsectors like solar and wind are expected to drive significant job creation. Estimates suggest these areas alone could generate up to 174 000 jobs by 2030, many of which are accessible to young people with limited formal education. This positions the green economy not only as an environmental imperative, but as a critical lever for tackling youth unemployment.

However, growth in these sectors will not automatically translate into inclusive employment. Evidence shows that even where opportunities exist, systemic barriers often prevent young people from accessing them. Fragmented skills development systems, limited access to networks and regulatory uncertainty continue to constrain the sector’s potential. Without deliberate action, emerging industries risk reproducing the same patterns of exclusion seen elsewhere in the economy.

This is where the role of women becomes particularly important.

Women remain a powerful but underutilised force within South Africa’s labour market. Despite high levels of education, motivation and capability, many face structural barriers that limit their participation in economic activity. These barriers are often more pronounced in technical and infrastructure-related sectors, including parts of the green economy. If left unaddressed, this risks excluding women from one of the country’s most promising growth sectors.

At the same time, evidence consistently shows that women play a critical role in driving inclusive growth. When women can access economic opportunities, the benefits extend beyond individual livelihoods to households, communities and local economies. Ensuring women’s participation in the green economy is therefore both a social and economic priority.

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The story of Adelia Nqubuka brings this to life.

Adelia is a young entrepreneur from Orange Farm who founded Dela Creations Enterprise, a construction and landscaping business. Her entry into the green economy began when she accessed a solar installation training opportunity through the SA Youth platform, which connects young people to work and learning pathways. Through this programme, she gained accredited skills and earned her PV Green Card, enabling her to position her business within the renewable energy sector.

Since then, she has completed significant projects in her community, including renovations and infrastructure development, and continues to expand her operations. Importantly, her business has grown to include 3 permanent staff and additional workers on a project basis.

Adelia’s journey reflects the broader shift required in the economy. It demonstrates that when young women can access information, skills and opportunity through platforms such as SA Youth, they can move beyond survivalist activities and build sustainable enterprises within growth sectors. It also highlights the importance of resilience, continuous learning and community in shaping successful entrepreneurial pathways.

To fully realise the potential of the green economy, a more intentional approach is required. This includes investing in targeted skills development aligned to sector demand, strengthening pathways into self-employment and reducing the barriers that prevent young people from accessing opportunity. It also requires stronger coordination across government, the private sector and civil society to ensure efforts are aligned and scaled.

Inclusion must sit at the centre of this approach. This means designing interventions that actively support women to enter and thrive in the green economy, from training and mentorship to access to finance and markets. It also requires recognising and valuing the diverse ways young people participate in economic activity, including informal and self-employment.

South Africa cannot afford to leave opportunity on the table. With deliberate action, the green economy offers a pathway to growth that is both sustainable and inclusive.

As the country looks ahead, the question is not whether the green economy will grow, but whether it will create opportunities for those who need them most. If shaped intentionally, it can unlock a future in which young women are not only participating in the green economy but actively building and leading it.

Lutho Mbonambi, Specialist: Systems Change Initiative

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