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

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s electrical energy imports under HS code 2716 in September 2025 reveal a market dominated by standardized bulk power, with South Africa supplying 75.46% of high-value imports while Zambia delivers bulk volume at lower costs. The trade is highly concentrated among state-controlled suppliers like ESKOM, creating supply chain risks amid volatile pricing, with import values dropping to $18.34M after mid-year peaks. This analysis, covering September 2025, is based on 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 stable consumption in manufacturing, utilities, and technology sectors, making it a cornerstone of modern economies. Botswana’s exports under this code reflect its role in regional energy markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. administration’s 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], has reshaped trade dynamics for Botswana's Electrical energy Import. This policy shift underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring HS Code 2716 trade data, as Botswana’s strategic position in Southern Africa’s energy grid could face heightened competition or diversion to alternative markets. The tariff hike highlights the fragility of trade dependencies and the importance of diversifying export destinations.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's electrical energy imports in September 2025 totaled 18.34 million USD, marking a continued decline from the mid-year highs and reflecting heightened market volatility throughout the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2716 value trend for Botswana showed significant fluctuations in 2025, with a sharp drop to 0.15 million USD in February followed by a robust recovery peaking at 33.94 million USD in July, before easing to 18.34 million USD by September. This volatility aligns with broader trade tensions, including the U.S. tariff increase on imports from Botswana effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], which likely amplified economic uncertainties and disrupted import schedules. For electrical energy, often tied to grid stability and seasonal demand shifts, the Botswana electrical energy import trend suggests adaptive purchasing in response to external policy shocks and domestic energy needs.

Botswana Electrical Energy Import (HS 2716) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import activities for HS Code 2716 in September 2025 are entirely concentrated on electrical energy under sub-code 27160000, with no other products recorded. This single product accounts for all import value and quantity, featuring a low unit price of USD 0.06 per unit, which confirms its nature as a standardized bulk commodity without significant value-added differentiation.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for HS Code 2716 in Botswana shows no diversification, with electrical energy being the sole category imported. This indicates a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are homogeneous and likely priced based on market indices rather than brand or quality grades, reflecting a straightforward supply chain focused on energy procurement.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players involved in Botswana's HS Code 2716 import, the high concentration on electrical energy suggests limited pricing power due to commodity nature, requiring a strategic focus on securing reliable supply contracts and monitoring global energy price fluctuations to manage costs effectively.

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 clear dominant origin for Botswana's Electrical energy imports in September 2025, supplying 75.46% of the total import value. This high value share significantly outpaces its 19.51% quantity share, indicating Botswana primarily imports higher-value or more premium electrical energy from South Africa, rather than bulk power. South Africa also shows a strong logistical presence with a 50% frequency share, pointing to regular and reliable energy deliveries.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import structure forms two distinct clusters. South Africa stands alone as the High-Yield Cluster, characterized by its premium value contribution. Zambia represents a Volume Cluster, accounting for a massive 74.82% of the total quantity but only 16.12% of the value; this suggests Botswana sources a large volume of lower-cost bulk power from there. Namibia acts as a supporting, transactional partner with consistent, smaller-scale shipments, shown by its 41.67% frequency share.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's electrical energy supply chain is highly dependent on South Africa for high-value power, creating a significant concentration risk. To enhance security, a strategy to diversify sources of premium energy is critical. Simultaneously, the high-volume flow from Zambia provides a stable base load, but this relationship also requires careful management to avoid over-reliance on a single bulk supplier and to ensure consistent pricing.

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 September 2025, the supplier structure for Botswana's Electrical energy imports shows high concentration. According to yTrade data, suppliers with high value and high frequency dominate, accounting for 75.46% of the total import value. This group, including ESKOM, represents the typical trade pattern with frequent, high-value transactions.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining suppliers include those with high value but low frequency, like ZESCO, and others with low value but high frequency, such as NAMPOWER. The dominant group's profile, led by state-controlled entities, indicates a centralized market for HS code 2716 suppliers. This suggests that Botswana's imports are heavily reliant on large, government-backed utilities.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana, this supplier structure means strategic focus should be on maintaining strong relations with key state-controlled suppliers to ensure stable energy supply. The high dependence on a few entities poses a risk of supply disruptions due to political or operational issues. Diversifying sources could reduce vulnerability, but the current model is cost-effective for bulk energy imports.

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

• Negotiate long-term contracts with key suppliers like ESKOM using hs code 2716 trade data to lock in stable pricing, because Botswana's Electrical energy Import is highly vulnerable to spot market volatility and geopolitical disruptions.
• Diversify the Electrical energy supply chain by developing partnerships with secondary suppliers in Namibia and Zambia to reduce over-reliance on South Africa, mitigating concentration risk for critical power imports.
• Implement real-time monitoring of global energy indices and hs code 2716 trade data to anticipate price shifts, enabling proactive cost management for bulk commodity purchasing.
• Invest in domestic renewable energy projects to decrease import dependence, strengthening long-term security and stability of Botswana's Electrical energy supply chain.

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 September?

Botswana's electrical energy imports in September 2025 declined to 18.34 million USD, reflecting heightened market volatility and trade tensions, including U.S. tariff impacts. The fluctuations align with adaptive purchasing in response to policy shocks and domestic energy needs.

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

South Africa dominates with 75.46% of import value, followed by Zambia (16.12% value) and Namibia (transactional role). South Africa supplies premium energy, while Zambia provides bulk power at lower cost.

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

The price difference stems from South Africa’s high-value, premium electrical energy versus Zambia’s bulk, low-cost power. The standardized commodity nature (USD 0.06/unit) further highlights this divergence in grade and sourcing strategy.

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

Importers must prioritize stable relationships with key state-controlled suppliers like ESKOM while diversifying sources to mitigate risks from over-reliance on South Africa and Zambia. Monitoring global energy prices is critical for cost management.

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

Suppliers like ESKOM and ZESCO benefit from Botswana’s reliance, but the centralized market demands consistent, high-volume deliveries. Niche players like Namibia can capitalize on smaller, frequent transactions to fill gaps.

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

Imported electrical energy serves as a bulk commodity for grid stability and power generation, with no value-added differentiation. The homogeneous nature aligns with Botswana’s focus on cost-effective energy procurement.