Unleash the power of our natural assets.
Lilibo Energy is a 100% black-owned hydrocarbon trading company based in South Africa. Our import-export business was established to take advantage of the country’s rich endowment in coal deposits leading to vibrant export industry coupled with declining petroleum refining capacity and the resultant increasing reliance on fuel imports.
Since commencing operations, we have focused on building strong relationships with local coal mining companies with established export logistics and the petroleum industry from state owned companies to oil majors and traders. Parallel to this we have also partnered with international petroleum product refineries and well-established traders in the hydrocarbon industry.
Our Team
Our team is the foundation of our success, comprising seasoned executives, strategists, and dynamic industrialists. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, enabling us to approach projects with a comprehensive perspective, tackle complex challenges, and drive sustainable growth. Our collaborative approach fosters innovation, empowering us to implement solutions that are both effective and forward-looking.
Zola Tshefu
Executive Director
Zola Tshefu is the Executive Director of Lilibo Energy, a 100% Black-owned hydrocarbons trading company focused on delivering secure, efficient, and transformation-driven energy solutions across South Africa and beyond. With over two decades of executive experience, she leads the company’s strategic partnerships, investment oversight, and risk governance across gasoil, fuel oil, and thermal coal trading portfolios.
Zola brings deep sector expertise, having served as Executive Director at African Pioneer Group, where she oversaw investments in petroleum and renewable energy, and served on multiple boards of energy-focused companies. Her role involved directing capital deployment, driving value creation, and providing governance leadership across a range of high-impact assets.
Before her work in the private sector, she held key leadership roles in public agencies focused on economic development, tourism, inward foreign direct investment and trade. As Regional Manager for ECDC Trade & Investment Promotion, she facilitated billions in foreign direct investment into South Africa’s automotive and industrial sectors — experience that now powers her ability to secure strategic deals and manage complex trading ecosystems.
Zola holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and a BCom from the University of North West, alongside executive education in property and infrastructure development. She currently serves on several governance committees including investment, audit, risk, and ethics — reinforcing Lilibo Energy’s commitment to transparency and excellence.
Her leadership embodies the company’s vision: to build globally connected, locally grounded energy supply chains that power inclusive growth and industrial progress.
Ludwe Tshotsho
Commercial Director
Ludwe Tshotsho is a respected emerging business executive and the founder and managing director of Mivtek Consulting, a black youth-owned Telecoms and Fibre Management company. He is also a shareholder in Changa Consulting, a Digital Technology company with state contracts with Buffalo City Municipality and ISF Power Systems, which has contracts with Toshiba and Eskom.
Through Mivtek and in his personal capacity, Ludwe has invested in Changa Consulting. He has also invested in Lilibo Energy, recognising the potential for developing solutions to Southern Africa’s growing energy use and varied supply routes.
Key Achievements:
- Negotiated and concluded a R260 million Buffalo City Municipality and Liquid Telecoms Fibre partnership for 10 years in 2018.
- Finalized a Digital Contract with Buffalo City Municipality in 2020.
- Awarded RAMA City Fibre Commercial rights in 2019.
- Oversaw a R360 million partnership with Toshiba and Eskom in 2021.
Currently, Ludwe is the Executive Director of Lilibo Energy and driving negotiations between suppliers and offtakers across a range of products. Heis further involved in investigating various infrastructure projects in the energy sector whereby Lilibo Energy and its’ partners can play meaningful role.
Education:
- Bcom (Hons) – UNISA
Work Experience:
- Executive Director – Changa Consulting
- Managing Director – Mivtek Consulting (Pty) Ltd
- Executive Director – Participant Africa
Relevance to Current Projects: Ludwe has the tenacity to negotiate tough deals with government officials and corporate managers. His ability to understand clients’ needs and identify opportunities is a rare skill. Unlike many young executives, he understands that large supply and infrastructure deals require patience. His success in forging relationships with multinational businesses has enabled him to successfully execute his impressive supplier partner base for Lilibo Energy and identify a project pipeline, making him adept at dealing with both commercial and governmental partners.
Our Values
At Lilibo Energy, our values guide every decision we make, ensuring sustainable solutions, trusted partnerships, and lasting positive impact for our clients and communities.
Dynamic Strategists
We anticipate change and move with intention. At Lilibo Energy, we are proactive thinkers who adapt quickly to the evolving energy landscape. Our strategies are not only well-informed but flexible, allowing us to pivot where necessary and capture opportunities others may overlook. We combine data, market intelligence, and foresight to drive purposeful decision-making.
Risk-Savvy
Creative Owners
We act like owners in both imagination and accountability.
Every team member takes full ownership of outcomes, while thinking beyond the conventional. We encourage innovation, challenge outdated thinking, and embrace creativity to solve problems and create value. As creative owners, we don’t just execute, we elevate.
Collective Leaders
We lead together, not alone. True leadership, for us, is collaborative. We believe in empowering each other, sharing knowledge, and building strong networks internally and externally. Our culture values humility, inclusion, and shared success — ensuring we grow as a team, not just as individuals.
Productive People
We turn energy into execution.
Our productivity is not just about working harder, but working smarter. With clear focus, discipline, and systems that support efficiency, we consistently deliver results. We value output, progress, and the ability to execute on what we say — because our clients, partners, and communities rely on it.
Our Business
Lilibo Energy provides a consistent and competitively priced supply of premium-grade gasoil (diesel) to meet the energy demands of industries such as mining, transport, construction, and manufacturing. Through our global partnerships and strong local networks, we ensure uninterrupted delivery, regulatory compliance, and tailored logistics support, making us a dependable energy partner for mission-critical operations.
Gasoil Trading: Reliable supply of high-quality gasoil for industrial and commercial use.
Lilibo Energy provides a consistent and competitively priced supply of premium-grade gasoil (diesel) to meet the energy demands of industries such as mining, transport, construction, and manufacturing. Through our global partnerships and strong local networks, we ensure uninterrupted delivery, regulatory compliance, and tailored logistics support — making us a dependable energy partner for mission-critical operations.
Fuel Oil: Efficient fuel oil solutions for diverse energy needs.
We offer a range of fuel oil products suitable for marine, industrial, and power generation applications. Our expertise lies in sourcing high-quality heavy fuel oil (HFO) and intermediate fuel oil (IFO), ensuring clients benefit from cost-effective, high-energy solutions that meet both performance and environmental standards. Lilibo Energy ensures timely deliveries and flexible solutions tailored to specific operational requirements.
Thermal Coal: Sourcing and trading thermal coal for power generation and industrial use.
Lilibo Energy engages in the sourcing and supply of thermal coal from reputable producers to power utilities, cement producers, and heavy industries across Africa and abroad. Our coal trading operations focus on secure supply chains, quality assurance, and transparent trade practices. We support clients in meeting their energy needs efficiently, while adhering to regulatory and sustainability considerations.