Mpho Sam Nkambule is powering Africa’s transition to smart, sustainable infrastructure — one project, one principle, one innovation at a time. From Burgersfort to the continent’s biggest energy corridors, he leads electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I) engineering across complex industrial developments. At 32, Mpho has worked on flagship projects including the Kamoa and Khoemacau copper mines and the Henkries Renewable Energy Project, delivering high-performance systems aligned with safety, quality and sustainability. Armed with a PhD in electrical engineering and an MBA (both cum laude) from the University of Johannesburg, Mpho combines technical expertise with strategic oversight. As a postdoctoral research fellow, he explores AI-driven energy optimisation and hybrid renewable systems, helping shape Africa’s clean-energy future. Named 2023 Engineer of the Year by the SA Institute of Electrical Engineers, Mpho believes growth begins where comfort ends, often repeating his guiding mantra: “Start before you’re ready.” Whether in control rooms or classrooms, Mpho’s legacy is measured not just in megawatts — but in the minds and missions he energises.