Mechanical engineer, regenerative farmer, and CEO of Phambili Energy, combining 15 years of commercial farming and deep engineering expertise to lead Africa’s modular biomass conversion and engineered‑biochar initiatives. Musa designs and commercialises the Phambili Biomass Conversion Technology (BCT) and the Jenga Bio Suite, turning agricultural residues into biochar, bio‑oil, syngas and upgraded market products such as Jenga Bio Forge pellets and Jenga Bio Fusion fertilisers. Rooted in biomimicry and rigorous thermodynamics, his work locks carbon into soils and industrial processes while creating durable economic value for communities. A fourth‑generation rice farmer trained in organic farming, permaculture and biodynamics, Musa has led feedstock testing, process diagnostics and prototyping, and is an award‑winning entrepreneur recognised by Empretech and Green Pioneer Accelerator programs. He positions Phambili Energy as a pragmatic visionary—engineering scalable decarbonisation solutions that restore ecosystems and generate resilient livelihoods.

What Musa Brings to Phambili Energy

• Technical Leadership: Deep engineering knowledge in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to design, develop and optimise BCT performance and scale reliable, efficient systems.
• Product Commercialisation: Proven track record taking prototypes to market‑ready products (biochar, pellets, fertilisers) and building value chains around them.
• Agricultural Credibility: Hands‑on regenerative farming experience that ensures feedstock quality, on‑farm adoption, and measurable soil‑health outcomes.
• Climate Impact Design: Biomimicry‑driven approach that converts residues into verifiable carbon removals and climate‑positive products.
• Operational Delivery: Experience in feedstock testing, process diagnostics and pilot rollouts that de‑risk scale‑up and accelerate deployment.
• Market & Community Focus: Combines commercial pragmatism with community development, creating products that deliver both revenue and local livelihoods.
• Recognition & Networks: Awarded entrepreneur with accelerator credentials

Musa S. Msimango accelerates Phambili Energy’s shift from innovation to impact by combining engineering rigour with on‑farm credibility to deliver verifiable carbon removals, market‑ready biochar products, and resilient local livelihoods. His leadership in optimising the BCT platform and commercialising the Jenga Bio Suite makes Phambili’s deployments technically reliable, commercially viable, ecologically restorative, and a strategic asset—unlocking new revenue streams for farmers, industry partners, and investors while restoring soils and sequestering carbon decarbonizing at scale.

He de‑risks scale‑up through hands‑on feedstock validation, process diagnostics and pilot rollouts, and translates prototypes into repeatable value chains that deliver measurable climate and community outcomes. Musa’s blend of thermodynamic expertise, regenerative farming experience, and proven commercialisation capability strengthens investor confidence and ensures Phambili’s technologies deliver durable social, economic and environmental returns

Rory — Admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and an accomplished international legal executive with 25 years’ experience across forensic commercial and criminal trial work, cross border transactions, M&A, and complex deal structuring. He combines courtroom rigour with boardroom diplomacy to lead legal strategy, compliance, investigations, and high value commercial negotiations across Africa, the US, Europe, and the Middle East. Rory has direct experience in green energy and holds a strategic investment in patented biomass conversion (pyrolysis) technology, positioning him at the intersection of law, finance, and clean tech commercialisations

What He Brings to Phambili Energy

• Legal and Governance Leadership: Expert counsel on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, investigations, and risk mitigation for multi jurisdictional energy projects.

• Deal Structuring & Finance: Proven ability to structure complex commercial transactions, project and asset funding, and high end commodity deals to secure investor confidence and close cross border agreements.

• Commercialisation & IP Strategy: Hands on experience commercialising patented biomass pyrolysis technology—translating IP into scalable products, licensing strategies, and revenue streams.

• Negotiation & Diplomacy: Skilled in high stakes negotiations and board direction, able to navigate political, regulatory, and stakeholder complexity to advance strategic objectives.

• Global Networks & Market Access: Extensive international exposure and relationships across resources, mining, aviation, and capital raising environments to open markets and strategic partnerships.

• Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to upliftment and development in third world contexts, ensuring legal and commercial strategies support Phambili’s social and climate impact goals.

Forensic commercial litigation; Cross border M&A; Project and asset finance; Regulatory compliance; IP commercialisation; High value commodity transactions; Board governance; Strategic negotiations.

Rory strengthens Phambili Energy by de risking transactions, accelerating the commercial rollout of biomass and green technologies, and securing the legal and financial frameworks needed to scale impact driven energy solutions across Africa and beyond.

Dr. William Makwinja — Aerospace technologist and strategic leader with over 40 years of cross sector experience spanning government, defence, aerospace and space, energy, manufacturing, chemical, and construction industries. Founder of Lechabile Quality Strategies and a serial entrepreneur, William blends hands on technical expertise with executive and director level experience in quality assurance, certification, policy development, and commercialisation of high tech innovations. He has co authored national strategy documents, contributed to major economic scoping and defence initiatives, and served on executive committees for industry bodies including the South African Quality Association, Project Management Institute, DTI ICT Council, and the South African Council for Outer Space Affairs.

What He Brings to Phambili Energy

• Commercialisation Expertise — Applies doctoral research on hi tech commercialisation to accelerate technology transfer and move innovations from prototype to market ready solutions.

• Risk Based Quality Assurance — Implements rigorous, risk focused QA frameworks that strengthen certification, compliance, and product reliability across multi site rollouts.

• Policy and Strategy Influence — Leverages deep experience in national policy formulation to navigate regulatory environments and shape supportive frameworks for green technologies.

• Certification and Standards Leadership — Ensures products meet international certification standards, reducing technical and market risk for investors and offtakers

• Cross Sector Networks — Brings extensive industry and government networks that open pathways for partnerships, funding, and strategic collaborations.

• Governance and Boardroom Acumen — Experienced director who balances technical credibility with governance discipline to guide strategic decisions and stakeholder alignment.

• Founded and scaled Lechabile Quality Strategies, delivering quality assurance and electro mechanical assembly services to diverse sectors.

• Co authored the South African Aerospace Strategy and contributed to high impact projects such as the OR Tambo IDZ economic scoping and Defence white paper initiatives.

• Served on influential advisory and executive committees shaping standards, trade, and space affairs in South Africa.

William is a strategic asset to Phambili Energy, de risking product rollouts through robust QA, certification and commercialisation pathways. His combination of academic research, policy influence and practical industry experience ensures Phambili’s technologies are compliant, investable and positioned for scalable impact—accelerating the Group’s mission to deliver climate solutions and community value.

Lucky F. Mbanjwa — Seasoned finance executive with advanced qualifications in development finance and accounting. Holding a Master of Commerce in Development Finance and a Postgraduate Degree in Accounting Sciences, Lucky brings a rare blend of public sector stewardship and commercial financial leadership to renewable energy and community centred projects. He has led provincial financial management, external audit engagements, and financial consulting and micro finance initiatives, and now applies that experience to structure project finance, strengthen governance, and make Phambili’s multi site rollouts investor ready.

What He Brings to Phambili Energy

• Financial Strategy and Stewardship — Designs long term financial plans that align commercial growth with social impact and ensure sustainable cashflow across pilot and scale deployments.

• Project Finance Structuring — Packages and negotiates project finance, grant funding, and blended finance solutions to de risk capital raises and accelerate plant rollouts.

• Budgeting, Forecasting and Performance Management — Implements robust budgeting, forecasting and KPI frameworks that drive operational discipline and measurable outcomes.

• Risk, Compliance and Internal Controls — Establishes governance, audit and internal control systems to meet regulatory, donor and investor requirements.

• Procurement Governance and Cost Optimisation — Oversees procurement policies and vendor management to secure value, transparency and timely delivery for multi site projects.

• Investor Relations and Reporting — Produces investor grade financial reporting and narratives that build confidence with lenders, equity partners and public funders.

• Systems Implementation and Digital Finance — Leads finance systems rollouts to automate reporting, improve accuracy and scale financial operations efficiently.

• Community and Micro Finance Expertise — Leverages micro finance and local supply chain experience to design inclusive business models that deliver economic benefits to rural and low income communities.

Lucky translates disciplined public sector financial practice into agile commercial frameworks that make Phambili Energy’s projects financially robust, compliant, and investment ready—enabling scalable BCT deployments that deliver measurable economic, social and climate benefits.

 

 

Niel Pretorius — Strategic commercial executive with 15+ years’ leadership in renewable energy and agri‑innovation. As Commercial Executive at Phambili Energy, Niel has driven the commercialisation and nationwide roll‑out of the BCT plants, and forged high‑value partnerships to scale the BCT into commercially viable deployments. A founder of training and agricultural supply ventures, he translates technical innovation into marketable products and community impact—advancing soil remediation, renewable agricultural inputs, and resilient local food systems for rural and low‑income communities. Renowned for delivering operational excellence across multi‑site rollouts, customer service, IT, HR and project delivery, Niel combines commercial strategy with people development to sustain growth and impact.

What He Brings to Phambili Energy

• Commercial Strategy and Market Entry — Designs go‑to‑market plans and expansion strategies that convert technical IP into repeatable revenue streams and new market opportunities.
• Project Finance and Procurement — Structures project finance, grant and blended‑finance packages and manages procurement to secure capital and control costs for multi‑site rollouts.
• Operational Scale‑Up — Delivers end‑to‑end operational readiness across plant deployments, ensuring quality, compliance and consistent service delivery at scale.
• Partnerships and Stakeholder Management — Negotiates strategic alliances with government, investors, contractors and offtakers to accelerate adoption and de‑risk commercialisation.
• Product to Community Integration — Aligns technology deployment with local needs to create supply chains, jobs and measurable community benefits in rural and low‑income areas.
• People and Systems Leadership — Builds teams, implements business systems, and delivers training and leadership development to sustain performance through growth phases.

Niel turns innovation into scalable, investable projects—ensuring Phambili Energy’s technologies move from pilots to profitable, community‑centred deployments that deliver climate, economic and social value

Marthinus “Marlo” Badenhorst — Entrepreneur and servant‑leader who builds mission‑driven businesses that deliver measurable social and environmental impact. As a strategic architect of the Phambili Group, Marlo designs and scales initiatives that deploy climate‑resilient technologies and create economic opportunity across rural and low‑income communities in Southern Africa and beyond. He combines decades of executive experience founding and growing large event management and promotional enterprises in the United States with boardroom acumen, persuasive public speaking, and a deep commitment to stakeholder‑centred leadership.

Marlo shapes Phambili Energy’s growth strategy, investor engagement, and public‑facing narrative. He mobilises cross‑border networks of senior executives, aligns commercial objectives with community benefit, and ensures the Group’s climate initiatives are both commercially viable and socially accountable.

What He Brings to Phambili Energy

• Strategic Entrepreneurship — Designs scalable business models that balance commercial returns with measurable social and environmental outcomes.
• Fundraising and Partnerships — Leverages an international executive network to open funding, offtake and partnership channels across the US, Europe and Africa.
• Stakeholder and Board Engagement — Experienced director who navigates governance complexity, aligns diverse stakeholders, and strengthens board oversight.
• Communications and Advocacy — High‑impact public speaker and communicator who elevates Phambili’s profile with investors, policymakers and community partners.
• Cross‑Border Market Access — Practical knowledge of US and international markets to accelerate export, investment and strategic collaboration opportunities.
• Mission‑Driven Leadership — Applies servant‑leadership principles to embed accountability, inclusion and long‑term sustainability into commercial decisions.

Marlo ensures Phambili Energy grows with purpose: unlocking capital, partnerships and market access while protecting community interests and delivering durable climate and economic benefits across the regions the Group serves.

Victor van Zyl Taylor — Entrepreneur, technologist, and one of the founders of Phambili Energy, with more than two decades of experience designing and commercialising renewable energy and circular‑economy technologies. Victor’s R&D spans wind, solar, geothermal and biomass systems, domestic combined heat and power units, atmospheric water collectors, external combustion engines, and advanced thermochemical processes. He combines deep technical design capability with operational leadership in franchise management and a proven track record advising government, research institutions and industry on technology development, systems design and financial modelling for projects that advance energy access, poverty reduction and climate resilience.

What He Brings to Phambili Energy

• Systems Design Leadership — Translates complex engineering concepts into practical, deployable infrastructure across multiple energy vectors.
• Cross‑discipline R&D — Integrates thermochemical, mechanical and systems engineering to optimise conversion efficiency, product quality and operational reliability.
• Strategic Advisory Capacity — Leverages extensive consulting experience with CSIR, DST, SANEDI and private sector partners to shape project strategy, regulatory alignment and funding models.
• Commercialisation and Scale‑Up — Converts prototypes into repeatable, serviceable deployments that generate revenue, jobs and measurable environmental outcomes.
• People Planet Profit Alignment — Designs solutions that balance technical performance with social impact and commercial viability, ensuring community benefits are embedded in project economics.

 

• Core developer of the BCT platform, a modular system that converts biomass and waste into biochar, fuels and engineered chemicals streams.
• Advised national and regional institutions on technology, policy and financial modelling for energy access and climate resilience projects.
• Operationalised cross‑sector projects that align engineering innovation with market and community needs.

Victor ensures Phambili Energy’s technologies are not only technically robust but commercially deployable and socially accountable. His leadership accelerates the transition from lab to landscape—delivering modular, carbon‑negative systems that restore ecosystems, create sustainable livelihoods and unlock new revenue streams for communities and industry.

Wade Tanner — Strategic supply chain and biomass specialist with nearly two decades’ experience in the timber sector, charcoal production, carbon marketing, and commercial tree planting. Wade combines technical grounding in Earth Sciences with insights from Psychology, aviation leadership as a professional pilot and managing director, and proven commercial acumen to secure, manage and optimise large‑scale feedstock supply chains. His longstanding partnership with Phambili Energy has evolved into a formal leadership role on the Board, where he is responsible for procuring and supplying the biomass that underpins Phambili’s modular conversion plants and product lines.

What Wade Brings to Phambili Energy

• Feedstock Security and Sourcing — Deep industry relationships and operational experience to secure reliable, sustainable biomass at scale and ensure continuity for multi‑site rollouts.
• Quality and Compliance — Technical oversight to guarantee feedstock specifications, traceability, and compliance with sustainability and carbon accounting standards.
• Commercial Forestry Expertise — Practical knowledge of contract planting, timber product markets, charcoal production and export that strengthens Phambili’s upstream value chain.
• Logistics and Export Experience — Proven capability in charcoal export and international trade that supports market access and commercialisation of biochar and pellet products.
• Strategic Procurement and Cost Optimisation — Commercial negotiation skills to lower input costs, improve margins, and structure long‑term supply agreements.
• Operational Leadership — Board‑level governance experience and MD background to translate supply strategy into operational delivery and risk mitigation.
• Cross‑Sector Networks — Multicultural communication skills and networks across forestry, mining, energy and aviation sectors that open partnership and offtake opportunities.
• Carbon and Market Insight — Practical understanding of carbon product markets and charcoal‑to‑carbon value chains to support Phambili’s revenue diversification and carbon removal credentials

Wade is a strategic asset to Phambili Energy, securing the sustainable feedstock foundation essential for reliable plant performance, product quality and commercial scale‑up. His blend of technical forestry knowledge, export experience and operational leadership de‑risks supply, accelerates market entry, and strengthens Phambili’s ability to deliver verifiable climate and community outcomes.