Botswana Electrical Energy Import Market -- HS Code 2716 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s electrical energy imports under HS Code 2716 in Q3 2025 were entirely specialized in bulk electrical energy, with a declining trend—falling from 33.94M USD in July to 18.34M USD by September. The market is dominated by state-controlled suppliers like NAMPOWER and ESKOM, creating high concentration risks, while South Africa supplied 83.53% of import value, highlighting geographic dependency. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for Q3 2025.

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 stable consumption in manufacturing, utilities, and urban development, making it a cornerstone of modern economies. Botswana's reliance on imports under this code reflects its growing energy needs amid limited domestic generation capacity.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. While this policy does not directly target HS Code 2716, it underscores heightened trade tensions that could indirectly affect Botswana's electrical energy imports. As a landlocked nation with rising energy demand, Botswana's reliance on cross-border electricity trade under HS Code 2716 is strategically significant. Market participants must monitor tariff shifts and regional supply dynamics to mitigate risks in this essential trade flow.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Price Trend

Key Observations

The Botswana Electrical Energy Import trend for Q3 2025 recorded a total value of 72.47 million USD, with imports declining sequentially from 33.94 million in July to 18.34 million in September. This performance reflects heightened volatility in the hs code 2716 value trend, influenced by external trade policies and domestic demand shifts.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential decline in Q3 follows a peak in May at 33.91 million USD, with a brief recovery in July before tapering off, aligning with typical seasonal energy demand patterns in Botswana, where imports often fluctuate with industrial activity and grid stability needs. This volatility is partly explained by policy changes, such as the updated import guidelines for machinery [PV KnowHow] in late August, which may have disrupted supply chains and increased compliance costs, contributing to the downward trajectory in import values through the quarter.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Botswana's import market for HS Code 2716 in Q3 2025 is completely specialized in electrical energy, with no other products traded under this code. According to yTrade data, electrical energy (HS Code 27160000) accounts for 100% of both the volume, at 541.54 million units, and the value, at 72.46 million USD. The unit price is 0.13 USD per unit, indicating a high-volume, low-unit-cost commodity trade.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

With only one product category present, the import structure for HS Code 2716 in Botswana is uniform and lacks diversification. Electrical energy is a standardized, fungible commodity, typically traded in bulk and closely tied to regional energy markets or price indices, rather than being a differentiated or value-added good. This suggests that trade is driven by volume and cost efficiency, with no variation in grade or form.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers dealing with Botswana's HS Code 2716 imports, the monolithic nature of electrical energy implies limited pricing power, as costs are likely influenced by external market fluctuations and supply agreements. Strategic focus should be on securing reliable, cost-effective supply chains and monitoring energy market trends to mitigate risks associated with this commodity-based trade.

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

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's Electrical Energy imports in Q3 2025, accounting for 83.53% of the import value but only 40.24% of the quantity. This gap between value and quantity shares indicates that Botswana is importing higher-grade or more processed Electrical Energy from South Africa, likely for reliable power supply. South Africa also has a high frequency share of 74.42%, suggesting frequent shipments to meet steady demand. Analyzing HS Code 2716 trade data shows that imports are concentrated, with South Africa playing a key role.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners form two main clusters based on share profiles. South Africa represents a High-Yield Cluster, with high value share but moderate quantity, pointing to premium energy imports due to its developed infrastructure. Zambia forms a Volume Cluster, with 44.75% quantity share but only 4.97% value share, indicating bulk imports of cheaper or raw Electrical Energy, possibly from hydro or other sources. Namibia has a balanced profile but lower shares, acting as a minor supplier. For Botswana Electrical Energy Import, these clusters reflect a mix of quality assurance and cost-saving strategies.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Electrical Energy imports poses a supply chain risk, as disruptions could affect power stability. Diversifying sources, such as increasing imports from Zambia for bulk needs, could reduce dependency. The news context provided does not directly relate to these import patterns, so no external factors are cited. Moving forward, Botswana should monitor HS Code 2716 trends to ensure a resilient energy supply chain.

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

In 2025 Q3, the Botswana Electrical Energy Import market is highly concentrated, with a small set of suppliers driving most of the trade. According to yTrade data, high-value and high-frequency suppliers account for 95.02% of the import value, making them the dominant force. Key players like NAMPOWER and ESKOM represent the typical trade pattern for Botswana Electrical Energy Import suppliers, highlighting a reliance on consistent, high-volume sources.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Other suppliers, such as ZESCO and ACTOM, play a minor role with low value and low frequency contributions. The dominant cluster, composed of national electricity utilities, indicates a state-controlled market structure. The profile of HS code 2716 suppliers shows that imports are centralized through government-owned entities, which is common for commodity energy trades.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana, this state-controlled supply base offers reliability but creates vulnerability to regional political or economic shifts. Strategic focus should include monitoring supplier stability and exploring diversification to reduce risk. While no direct news impacts electrical energy imports, general import regulations from BURS underscore the need for compliance in all sectors, including energy. (BURS)

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

• Diversify the Botswana Electrical Energy Import portfolio by increasing bulk procurement from Zambia's volume cluster, as indicated by hs code 2716 trade data, to reduce cost vulnerability and over-reliance on a single dominant source.
• Use hs code 2716 trade data to continuously monitor the pricing and shipment frequency of key suppliers like NAMPOWER and ESKOM to anticipate market shifts and secure favorable long-term contracts for a stable Electrical Energy supply chain.
• Develop a risk assessment framework focused on geopolitical and economic stability in South Africa to proactively manage potential disruptions to the Botswana Electrical Energy Import market and ensure supply security.
• Strengthen the Electrical Energy supply chain by building direct relationships with utility suppliers in the dominant high-value cluster to improve negotiation power and lock in consistent volume, mitigating the risks of a state-controlled market.

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 Q3?

Botswana's Electrical Energy imports declined sequentially in Q3 2025, dropping from 33.94 million USD in July to 18.34 million USD in September. This volatility aligns with seasonal demand shifts and policy changes, such as updated import guidelines disrupting supply chains.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Electrical Energy (HS Code 2716) 2025 Q3?

South Africa dominates with 83.53% of import value, followed by Zambia (4.97%) and Namibia. South Africa supplies higher-grade energy, while Zambia contributes bulk volume at lower costs.

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

The price gap reflects trade patterns: South Africa provides premium energy (0.13 USD/unit), while Zambia supplies cheaper bulk imports. The uniform HS Code 2716 structure confirms this is a grade-driven difference.

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

Importers should prioritize supply-chain reliability from dominant suppliers like NAMPOWER and ESKOM while exploring diversification to mitigate risks tied to South Africa's concentrated market share.

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

Suppliers like South Africa’s utilities have stable demand but face pressure to maintain cost efficiency. Minor players (e.g., Zambia) can leverage volume-driven opportunities for bulk energy trades.

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

Imported Electrical Energy (HS Code 2716) is a standardized commodity, primarily used for grid power supply and industrial needs, traded in bulk with no value-added processing.

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