Wits Business School Appoints New Director to Propel Energy Leadership Forward

Johannesburg, South Africa - Wits Business School (WBS) has officially announced the appointment of Dr. David Phaho as Director of its African Energy Leadership Centre (AELC), signifying a pivotal moment for the institution dedicated to propelling energy leadership in Africa.

The AELC has been an integral part of WBS since its inception in 2017. Supported by funding from the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA), the Centre spearheads efforts to overcome the continent’s longstanding energy challenges. It especially focuses on bridging the leadership skills gap within the energy sector.

Under Dr. Rod Crompton’s seasoned leadership, the AELC has not only established trailblazing academic programs — a Master of Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Leadership — but also become a research and thought leadership nucleus since 2019. These unique programmes have magnetized students eager to shape the sector’s future.

Critical to the AELC’s success have been the creation of the CHIETA Chair in the Hydrogen Economy and the Absa Chair in Future Energy. These influential roles drill into the economic ordeals and developments of the hydrogen sub-sector, an area poised for growth within the South African market.

Professor Logan Rangasamy, WBS's Academic Director, highlighted the Centre’s significance, emphasizing its role in fostering economic and social metamorphosis through energy initiatives.

Dr. Phaho transitions to WBS from his recent role as Deputy-Vice Chancellor at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), wielding extensive experience from his tenure at Sasol Group and as CEO of the DSI-mandated Tshumisano Trust. As a Fulbright Scholar with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, his research prowess in industrial chemistry, sustainability, and innovation management makes him eminently qualified to lead the AELC.

Beyond his academic and research credentials, Dr. Phaho's long-standing role as an independent, non-executive director at Foskor (Pty) Ltd amplifies his familiarity with both strategic and operational aspects of energy-related businesses.

As the new AELC Director, Dr. Phaho is set to steer the Centre towards even more profound impacts—aiming at intensive engagement with the practicalities of African energy challenges while fostering a generation of leaders capable of navigating the complex energy landscape.

WBS's move consolidates its reputation as a beacon of knowledge and expertise in energy leadership, and with Dr. Phaho's direction, it's poised to enhance its contribution to Africa's sustainable future.