Measurable impacts of South Africa's just energy transition partnership on poverty reduction and economic opportunities in marginalized communities

Abstract

South Africa's transition away from coal-based energy is promoted as a pathway toward inclusive development and poverty reduction. Yet concerns persist about whether current transition policies deliver meaningful economic benefits to the communities most affected by the coal phase-out. This systematic review assesses how energy transition interventions in South Africa influence employment outcomes and poverty reduction, with particular attention to governance arrangements, job quality, and the spatial alignment of new economic opportunities with coal-dependent regions. Following PRISMA-guided review procedures, peer-reviewed literature was systematically identified, screened, and synthesized to examine evidence across renewable energy deployment, labor market transitions, and complementary public employment and energy-efficiency programmes. The review finds that while the energy transition has generated new employment opportunities, these are frequently short-term, low-quality, or geographically disconnected from communities experiencing job losses, limiting their poverty-reduction potential. Weak institutional coordination, uneven local implementation, and the exclusion of vulnerable groups further constrain inclusive outcomes. The paper concludes by outlining policy-relevant recommendations to strengthen governance, improve employment quality, and better integrate energy transition strategies with local development and poverty alleviation objectives.