South Africa’s Tiger Brands taps Apollo Africa in electricity deal

Tiger Brands Limited, a South African packaged goods company, has signed a renewable electricity wheeling agreement with Apollo Africa as the packaged food producer ramps up efforts to lower emissions and shield its manufacturing operations from South Africa’s volatile power market.

The agreement, expected to begin in 2028, will initially supply Tiger Brands’ manufacturing facilities in Gauteng with renewable electricity transmitted through the national grid under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

The move underscores a broader shift among South African corporates toward renewable energy procurement as companies seek greater energy security, lower operating costs and improved environmental performance amid persistent pressure on the country’s electricity infrastructure.

Renewable wheeling gains traction in South Africa

Tiger Brands said manufacturing sites connected through the Ekurhuleni Municipality network are expected to source as much as 60% of their electricity from wheeled renewable power by 2028.

Chief Manufacturing Officer Praveen Balgobind said the partnership forms part of the company’s wider sustainability roadmap, aimed at reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions while improving operational efficiency.

“Importantly, as our business grows, cost efficiency is maximised, all while reducing our carbon footprint,” Balgobind said.

Apollo Africa Chief Executive Nico de Bruyn said electricity wheeling is increasingly becoming a strategic solution for large industrial users seeking access to renewable power without geographic limitations tied to generation assets.

Tiger Brands strengthens long-term strategy

Founded in 1921, Tiger Brands remains one of Africa’s largest JSE-listed fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers, with products present in an estimated 88% of South African households.

The company has been reshaping its operating model since 2024 to improve efficiency, unlock growth and strengthen profitability across its portfolio of heritage consumer brands spanning food, home and personal care categories.

Beyond South Africa, Tiger Brands has expanded its export footprint across several African markets, including Cameroon, reinforcing its position as a major regional consumer goods player.

Apollo Africa, backed by the Reunert Group, is a NERSA-licensed renewable energy trader that sources and wheels green electricity from independent power producers directly to corporate and industrial clients. 

The company has positioned itself as a key player in South Africa’s accelerating energy transition, where demand for reliable renewable power continues to rise among large businesses.