South Africa is reinforcing its position as the continent’s industrial powerhouse. ACTOM, Africa’s leading manufacturer of electromechanical equipment, has taken another major step forward by inaugurating a new battery assembly facility and expanding its high-voltage equipment manufacturing capacity at its Pretoria West industrial complex. This strategic investment comes at a time when demand across Africa is surging for power infrastructure, smart grids, and energy storage solutions.
Founded more than a century ago, ACTOM has grown into one of Africa’s largest industrial groups. The company employs nearly 7,500 people, operates more than 30 manufacturing plants across South Africa, and manages a portfolio of over 40 specialized subsidiaries. Its activities cover the entire electrical value chain, including power transformers, medium- and high-voltage switchgear, industrial motors, control systems, cables, mining equipment, lighting solutions, renewable energy technologies, and now advanced battery storage systems.
The new Pretoria West facility will assemble batteries for electricity grids, industrial installations, solar and wind energy projects, and critical infrastructure. It will also support the deployment of microgrids in rural areas, where more than 600 million Africans still lack reliable access to electricity.
At the same time, ACTOM is increasing its production capacity for high-voltage equipment, a critical component for transmitting electricity over long distances. These systems will support major power interconnection projects currently being developed across Africa to strengthen energy security and improve regional electricity integration.
The African market offers enormous growth potential. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa’s electricity demand is expected to more than double by 2040, while the African Development Bank (AfDB) estimates that the continent requires more than US$100 billion in annual energy investment to meet future demand. Meanwhile, renewable energy capacity continues to expand rapidly through large-scale solar, wind, and hydropower projects, creating strong demand for battery storage technologies.
This industrial expansion also supports South Africa’s ongoing energy transition. The country has an installed electricity generation capacity exceeding 60 GW, yet continues to face significant challenges related to aging infrastructure and electricity shortages. Battery storage has therefore become essential for improving grid stability, reducing power outages, and integrating a greater share of renewable energy into the national electricity system.
ACTOM already supplies equipment to strategic sectors including mining, rail transport, manufacturing, oil and gas, electricity generation, public infrastructure, and industrial construction. The company exports its products to dozens of African countries and plays a key role in major energy projects across Southern, Eastern, and Central Africa.
The Pretoria West investment forms part of ACTOM’s broader strategy to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and reduce Africa’s dependence on imported electrical equipment. As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) accelerates regional industrial integration, ACTOM aims to position itself as one of the continent’s leading suppliers of energy infrastructure.
Beyond its industrial impact, the expansion is expected to create highly skilled jobs, stimulate local supply chains, and promote technology transfer. It also highlights a broader trend across Africa: the continent’s industrial future will increasingly rely on the local production of strategic equipment for power transmission, smart grids, renewable energy, and battery storage—industries that are expected to experience sustained growth over the coming decades.
