Electricity exports from South Africa: data and top buyer countries
In 2024, South Africa exported electricity worth $802.6 million. Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 45% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $802.6M | - |
| 2023 | $553.9M | - |
| 2022 | $643.3M | - |
| 2021 | $821.7M | - |
| 2020 | $676.2M | - |
| 2019 | $542.5M | - |
| 2018 | $451.1M | - |
| 2017 | $513.5M | - |
Where South Africa exports electricity to
The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (32%), Zambia (14%), Namibia (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $253.6M | 32% |
| Zambia | $108.5M | 14% |
| Namibia | $102.6M | 13% |
| Botswana | $102.6M | 13% |
| Zimbabwe | $99.8M | 12% |
| Eswatini | $82.1M | 10% |
| Lesotho | $53.5M | 6.7% |
| Malawi | $0K | 0% |
Electricity imports to South Africa
Imports of electricity by South Africa reached $354.9 million in 2024. Its share of world imports was 1%. Mozambique alone supplied 100% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $354.2M | 100% |
| Namibia | $770K | 0.2% |
| Lesotho | $17K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2716: Electrical energy.
Common questions
What is the value of electricity exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported electricity worth $802.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data. That ranks it 25th of 96 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 45% on 2023.
Which countries buy electricity from South Africa?
Mozambique was the largest buyer with 32% of the value ($253.6 million), followed by Zambia (14%) and Namibia (13%). The top three together account for 58%, out of 8 buyer countries in total. Botswana grew fastest among the top ten, up 257% on the year.
How have exports of electricity from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $513.5 million in 2017 to $802.6 million in 2024, an increase of 56%. The peak was 2021 at $821.7 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import electricity?
Yes. South Africa imported $354.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Mozambique, Namibia and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $447.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for electricity?
The HS code for electricity is heading 2716. In South Africa all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2716.00. It sits in HS chapter 27 (mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2716 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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