Rakaibe, Tshwanelo KMbam, Vuyo2026-01-142026-01-142025-10http://hdl.handle.net/10204/14585In the second quarter of 2022, the then Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) reported that small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) accounted for 59% of total employment in South Africa. Some of these enterprises are attempting to, and or aspire to, localise the production and assembly of components in the renewable energy value chains given the increasing demand for renewable energy in South Africa, which can contribute to the reduction of unemployment, poverty and inequality. However, they do so in the context of these components being manufactured in global value chains dominated by east-Asian countries, particularly China. This paper provides a detailed analysis of how South African SMMEs can participate in the renewable energy global value chains (GVCs), highlights the benefits that SMMEs can derive by participating in GVCs and the challenges that they, in general, encounter when trying to participate in GVCs. The insights presented herein are drawn from a review of international literature and a survey questionnaire that was sent out to South African SMMEs involved in the renewable energy industry. Drawing from the literature review and SMME survey responses, a case is made for why it would be beneficial for South African SMMEs to be integrated into renewable energy GVCs and, most importantly, what actions would need to be taken by both the SMMEs and the government - whose responsibilities would include, among others, creating an enabling and supportive environment for SMME integration into GVCs. The interventions recommended in this paper are aligned with the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) vision of industrialising the renewable energy value chain in South Africa to enable participation in the energy transition, serve the needs of society and contribute to economic revival. Furthermore, these interventions relate directly to the SAREMs objectives, such as “growing the industrial capacity in the renewable energy and battery storage value chain”; “building the capabilities needed for the industry”, and “contributing to a just energy transition” in which SMMEs could play an integral role in democratising the energy sector, creating employment and contributing to economic growth.FulltextenEnergy transitionSmall, micro, and medium enterprisesSMMEsValue chain analysisConference PresentationN/A