Tokologo Phetla | Chief Executive Officer
Commodore Industries

Tokologo Phetla believes in Africa. His vision is to contribute to the creation of an economically and politically independent African continent. He aims to do this through entrepreneurial leadership and industrial development. Having started several successful businesses in media in his 20s, his latest venture was being the founder and Chairman of Clarence AI (Pty) Ltd – the first and only fully locally-owned Social Listening and Response Artificial Intelligence software in Africa, which is slowly leading in the 4th Industrial Revolution, through the commercialization of a unique artificial intelligence software called ‘Clarence.’ Tokologo is now one of the youngest Independent Power Producers (IPPs) on the continent. His company, Commodore Industries (Pty) Ltd, is developing energy assets of over 1 500MW at various stages of commissioning and construction, supported by bulk energy users such as mines and smelters. Tokologo’s vision is to meaningfully participate in Africa’s transition to clean, renewable energy for the purpose of stimulating the African industrial revolution. Commodore Industries also hold significant interests in rail logistics and rail infrastructure, supporting inter-country trade between African nations and boosting economic growth. He was dubbed “The Commodore” by his business associates who see him as the emerging ‘ranking officer’ in African business.