Botswana Electrical Energy Import Market -- HS Code 2716 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Electrical Energy imports (HS Code 2716) in Q1 2025 consist entirely of finished electrical energy, with no raw materials or components, reflecting a standardized commodity trade. The market is highly volatile, plunging in February before rebounding sharply in March, likely due to tariff adjustments. Supply risk is severe, with 99.2% of imports controlled by just two state-owned utilities, ESKOM and ZESCO, while South Africa dominates as the origin, supplying 87.18% of shipments. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for Q1 2025.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Background

What is HS Code 2716?

HS Code 2716 classifies Electrical Energy, a critical commodity powering industrial, commercial, and residential sectors globally. Its demand is driven by stable consumption in manufacturing, infrastructure development, and household use, making it a cornerstone of modern economies. Botswana's reliance on imports under this code reflects its need to supplement domestic energy production.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The 2025 Harmonized Tariff Schedule revisions [USITC] highlight ongoing adjustments to duty classifications, including energy-related products, which could impact Botswana's Electrical Energy Import costs. Additionally, Botswana's customs schedules [BURS] outline specific duties and safeguards, underscoring the need for vigilance in hs code 2716 trade data monitoring. As a landlocked nation with limited energy infrastructure, Botswana's strategic reliance on imports underscores the importance of tracking policy shifts and global market trends to ensure energy security.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Electrical Energy import value in Q1 2025 demonstrated high volatility, with January reaching $5.73 million, a sharp decline to $0.149 million in February, and a strong recovery to $7.43 million in March, resulting in a total quarterly import value of approximately $13.31 million.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2716 value trend reveals a dramatic sequential drop in February, likely influenced by importers adjusting to new customs duty schedules released by Botswana's revenue authority in January 2025 [BURS], which may have caused temporary delays or reassessments. The subsequent surge in March suggests a rebound as trade flows adapted to the updated tariff environment, indicating that the Botswana Electrical Energy Import trend is responding to regulatory shifts with increased activity post-adjustment.

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 Q1 2025 is completely dominated by a single product: Electrical Energy (sub-code 27160000). This single category accounts for the entire import value of 13.3 million USD and quantity of 41.74 million units, demonstrating an absolute market concentration. The unit price for this flow is 0.32 USD per unit.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The structure of Botswana's HS Code 2716 import is exceptionally simple, consisting solely of finished electrical energy. There are no other sub-codes present to indicate trade in raw materials, components, or different grades of this product. This implies a trade in a standardized, fungible commodity where the delivered product is the final consumable good itself, with no further processing stages involved.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This import structure for HS Code 2716 leaves Botswana with minimal pricing power, as it is entirely dependent on a single type of finished product from external suppliers. The strategic focus must be on securing stable, long-term supply contracts and potentially diversifying energy sources to mitigate supply risk. Analyzing HS Code 2716 trade data confirms that pricing is likely tied to regional energy market indices rather than being subject to negotiation based on product differentiation.

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

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Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Botswana's imports of Electrical Energy in Q1 2025 were heavily concentrated. South Africa was the dominant origin, supplying 87.18% of all shipments and 87.48% of the total quantity. Its 56.42% value share was notably lower than its quantity share, suggesting Botswana pays a lower unit price for this bulk energy from its largest neighbor.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two distinct supplier clusters are evident. Zambia forms a high-yield cluster, accounting for 42.78% of the import value from just 11.71% of the quantity. This indicates a significantly higher cost per unit, likely due to more expensive transmission or specific power purchase agreements. Namibia represents a small, transactional cluster with a high frequency of shipments (7.69%) for a minimal share of volume and value, pointing to smaller, likely supplemental or emergency power transfers.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's electrical supply chain is highly dependent on South Africa for bulk supply. This creates a significant single-point risk, making the grid vulnerable to any transmission disruptions or generation shortfalls in South Africa. The premium paid for Zambian power offers a secondary, more expensive supply route. A forward strategy must prioritize diversifying the energy mix through increased domestic generation or exploring connections to other regional power pools to enhance security.

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

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Botswana Electrical Energy (HS 2716) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the market for Botswana's Electrical Energy imports in Q1 2025 is extremely concentrated. One group of suppliers handles almost all the trade, accounting for 99.2% of the total import value and 92.31% of all shipments. The typical trade for this product involves very large, regular deliveries.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The profile of the dominant HS code 2716 suppliers points to a state-controlled market. The main companies, ESKOM and ZESCO, are large national power utilities. A much smaller group of infrequent suppliers, including Nampower, handles a minor share of the volume and value. This structure shows that trade is managed directly between national energy corporations.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's sourcing strategy carries high supply risk due to its heavy reliance on just two main external providers. Any operational or political issue with these suppliers could disrupt power imports. The 2025 tariff schedules from BURS indicate that customs duties for this sector are subject to change, which could impact import costs [BURS]. Diversifying the supplier base is a critical strategic need to reduce this vulnerability.

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

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Action Plan for Electrical Energy Market Operation and Expansion

• Negotiate long-term power purchase agreements with ESKOM and ZESCO using hs code 2716 trade data to lock in stable pricing, as this secures the bulk supply for Botswana's Electrical Energy Import and mitigates exposure to volatile spot market prices.
• Use hs code 2716 trade data to identify and qualify new regional suppliers beyond South Africa and Zambia to diversify the Electrical Energy supply chain, reducing the critical risk of a single-point failure in the grid.
• Develop domestic renewable energy generation projects to decrease reliance on imported power, which will strengthen the overall security and resilience of Botswana's Electrical Energy Import market.
• Monitor real-time regional energy market indices and align purchasing schedules with low-price periods, as this optimizes procurement costs for the Electrical Energy supply chain identified in the trade data.
• Proactively model the impact of potential tariff changes from BURS on total landed cost, enabling strategic budget planning and cost mitigation for the Botswana Electrical Energy Import operation.

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 Q1?

The volatility in Botswana's Electrical Energy imports is linked to regulatory adjustments, with a sharp February drop likely due to new customs duty schedules, followed by a March rebound as trade adapted.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Electrical Energy (HS Code 2716) 2025 Q1?

South Africa dominates with 87.18% of shipments, while Zambia supplies 42.78% of the value despite accounting for only 11.71% of the quantity. Namibia contributes minimally.

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

Zambia's higher unit price reflects costlier transmission or power purchase agreements, while South Africa provides bulk energy at a lower rate, creating a clear price dichotomy.

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

Importers must prioritize diversifying suppliers beyond the current heavy reliance on South Africa and Zambia to mitigate supply chain risks tied to geopolitical or operational disruptions.

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

Suppliers like Zambia’s ZESCO benefit from premium pricing, while South Africa’s ESKOM holds strategic leverage as the bulk provider, making Botswana a captive market for regional utilities.

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

The imported Electrical Energy is a finished commodity, directly consumed without further processing, indicating Botswana’s reliance on external power for grid supply.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS2716 Import Snapshot 2025 JAN

Botswana HS2716 Import Snapshot 2025 FEB

Botswana HS2716 Import Snapshot 2025 MAR