South Africa and Eswatini move to deepen regional energy cooperation

• The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, held a courtesy meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Russell Dlamini, alongside Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, His Royal Highness Lonkhokhela Dlamini, as the two countries work to strengthen strategic energy relations and advance regional energy integration.

Minister Ramokgopa arrived in Eswatini yesterday for bilateral engagements focused on improving energy security and boosting collaboration across the Southern African region. The discussions form part of ongoing efforts to build more resilient and interconnected regional energy systems.

According to new data from the International Energy Agency, Eswatini continues to rely heavily on biofuels and waste, particularly in the household sector, highlighting the country’s ongoing energy challenges and the need for diversified and secure supply sources. In 2023, biofuels accounted for 65% of Eswatini’s total energy supply, far exceeding contributions from oil products (25.5%) and coal (6.5%).

Domestic energy production mirrors this trend, with biofuels making up 75% of all locally produced energy, while hydropower and solar remain relatively small contributors.

Eswatini also remains significantly dependent on imported electricity from South Africa and Mozambique. Net energy imports accounted for nearly 19% of total energy supply last year, marking a 21% increase since 2000. This places Eswatini 31st among African nations in terms of energy import volumes.

Within the power sector, hydropower led electricity generation at 54%, followed by biofuels at 39%. Solar contributed 4%, and coal just under 3%. Final energy consumption across the country was similarly dominated by biofuels at 55%, with the industrial sector emerging as the largest energy consumer, accounting for 40% of total demand.

The bilateral meeting between Minister Ramokgopa and Eswatini’s leadership is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation, with a focus on strengthening energy security and developing long-term regional solutions.

Author: Bryan Groendaal