Botswana Electrical Energy Import Market -- HS Code 2716 Trade Data & Price Trend (Mar 2025)

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s Electrical Energy imports under HS Code 2716 surged to $7.43 million in March 2025, rebounding sharply from February’s slump, driven by volatile demand and potential tariff adjustments. The market relies entirely on finished electrical energy, with no diversification, leaving Botswana exposed to price swings and supply risks. Trade is dominated by a few state-controlled suppliers like ESKOM and ZESCO, while South Africa accounts for 88.16% of import value, highlighting severe geographic concentration. This analysis, covering March 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Background

What is HS Code 2716?

HS Code 2716 classifies Electrical Energy, a critical commodity powering industries, households, and infrastructure globally. Its demand is driven by urbanization, industrial expansion, and renewable energy transitions, making it a stable yet strategically significant trade flow. Botswana's reliance on imports under this code reflects its growing energy needs amid limited domestic generation capacity.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The 2025 Harmonized Tariff Schedule revisions [USITC] and Botswana's updated customs duties [BURS] underscore the regulatory shifts impacting Botswana's Electrical Energy Import dynamics. As a landlocked nation with rising energy deficits, Botswana's dependence on hs code 2716 trade data highlights vulnerabilities in supply security and pricing. Monitoring these imports is essential to mitigate risks from global energy volatility and align with regional trade policies.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Electrical Energy imports surged in March 2025, reaching a value of $7.43 million USD at a unit price of $1.02 per kg, sharply rebounding from the subdued activity in February.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Electrical Energy Import trend exhibited significant volatility in early 2025, with imports plummeting in February to $148.55 thousand USD before the March spike. This sequential recovery suggests strategic timing or demand shifts, potentially linked to tariff adjustments outlined in the January release from BURS [BURS], which could have prompted delayed procurement to optimize costs. The hs code 2716 value trend reflects typical energy import patterns where quarterly planning and policy awareness drive fluctuations.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import of HS Code 2716 in March 2025 was entirely composed of a single product: Electrical energy. This product accounted for the total import value of 7.43 million USD and a quantity of 7.26 million units, demonstrating a market with no diversification and complete reliance on this one specialized energy commodity.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The structure of trade for Botswana's HS Code 2716 import is exceptionally simple, consisting solely of finished electrical energy delivered for consumption. There are no other product forms, grades, or value-add stages present in the import data. This indicates a trade in a standardized, bulk commodity where transactions are likely based on volume and delivery terms rather than product differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This complete reliance on a single import product under HS Code 2716 creates significant exposure to price volatility in international energy markets. Botswana has minimal pricing power as a buyer and must focus on securing favorable long-term supply contracts to manage cost stability. The analysis of HS Code 2716 trade data clearly shows that strategic energy security, rather than product selection, is the primary concern for importers.

Table: Botswana HS Code 2716) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2716 Breakdown

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In March 2025, Botswana's imports of Electrical Energy were highly concentrated, with South Africa dominating at 88.16% of the import value. South Africa's value share is much higher than its quantity share of 28.57%, showing that Botswana prefers higher-grade or more finished energy from this source. The high frequency of shipments from South Africa, at 72.73%, indicates regular and reliable supply arrangements.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import origins split into two clear clusters. South Africa is the high-yield cluster, with high value but lower quantity, suggesting premium energy contracts. Zambia is the volume cluster, providing 66.82% of the quantity but only 10.93% of the value, which points to bulk, lower-cost energy imports. Namibia plays a minor role with low shares. For Electrical Energy, this setup allows Botswana to balance quality and cost in its energy sourcing.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy dependence on South Africa for Electrical Energy imports risks supply chain disruptions. To improve stability, diversifying sources beyond South Africa and Zambia is key. Reviewing HS Code 2716 trade patterns can help identify new partners to ensure a steady and cost-effective energy supply.

Table: Botswana Electrical Energy (HS 2716) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Electrical Energy (HS 2716) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In March 2025, the Botswana Electrical Energy import market is highly concentrated. According to yTrade data, a small set of suppliers with high value and frequent shipments dominate, making up 99.09% of the total import value. The typical trade for Botswana Electrical Energy Import suppliers relies heavily on this group, which handles most of the volume and value.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Other supplier clusters show little activity, with only low value and infrequent suppliers present, contributing a minor share. The profile of HS code 2716 suppliers, including ESKOM and ZESCO, points to a state-controlled market, as these are national power utilities. This indicates a centralized trade role for electrical energy imports, with few intermediaries.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's high reliance on a few state-controlled suppliers creates vulnerability to supply shocks or policy changes. Strategic focus should be on seeking alternative sources to reduce risk. The current sourcing model is centralized, which may offer cost benefits but requires careful monitoring. News from BURS in January 2025 on tariff schedules [BURS] suggests ongoing customs policies that could affect import costs, though energy-specific impacts are unclear.

Table: Botswana Electrical Energy (HS 2716) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Electrical Energy Supplier lists

Action Plan for Electrical Energy Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 2716 trade data to identify and pre-qualify new suppliers from outside Southern Africa, reducing over-reliance on South Africa and Zambia to mitigate geopolitical risk in the Botswana Electrical Energy Import supply chain.
• Negotiate long-term fixed-price contracts with key suppliers like ESKOM, using historical hs code 2716 trade data to lock in favorable rates and shield the national budget from spot market price volatility.
• Monitor real-time hs code 2716 trade data for spot market price trends and supply disruptions, enabling rapid procurement shifts to alternative suppliers to maintain energy security and cost control.
• Develop a strategic reserve buffer by importing additional volume during low-price periods identified in the hs code 2716 trade data, enhancing stability for the entire Electrical Energy supply chain against unexpected shortages.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Electrical Energy Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Electrical Energy Import 2025 March?

Botswana's Electrical Energy imports surged to $7.43 million USD in March 2025 after a sharp drop in February, likely due to strategic timing or demand shifts linked to tariff adjustments.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Electrical Energy (HS Code 2716) 2025 March?

South Africa dominated with 88.16% of import value, followed by Zambia (10.93%) and Namibia (minor share), reflecting a dual strategy balancing premium and bulk energy.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Electrical Energy Import?

South Africa's higher value per unit suggests premium energy contracts, while Zambia supplies bulk, lower-cost imports, creating a clear price dichotomy.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Electrical Energy?

Importers must diversify suppliers beyond South Africa and Zambia to mitigate supply risks, given the heavy reliance on state-controlled utilities like ESKOM and ZESCO.

Q5. What does this Botswana Electrical Energy import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers in South Africa and Zambia have stable demand but face pressure to maintain competitive pricing, while new entrants could exploit Botswana's need for diversification.

Q6. How is Electrical Energy typically used in this trade flow?

Imported Electrical Energy is a standardized commodity for direct consumption, with no value-add stages, indicating bulk procurement for national power needs.