‘Energetic’ Dialogues in South Africa: The US Example

The document analyzes the evolving energy partnership between the US and South Africa, framed by the US's shift toward energy independence via shale gas and its 'Power Africa' initiative. While South Africa is interested in the US model for shale gas and renewables, the briefing argues that South Africa must remain cautious regarding hydraulic fracturing due to severe water constraints and infrastructure gaps. It highlights the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue as a mechanism for cooperation on clean energy, carbon capture, and hydrocarbon development, while noting that US initiatives in Africa have targeted a limited number of countries.

• The United States has significantly reduced its dependence on foreign energy, with oil imports falling by 44% and natural gas imports dropping by 58% since 2008.
• The US 'Power Africa' initiative, launched in 2013, aims to increase energy access across the continent through three pillars: energy security, poverty eradication, and economic growth.
• Despite the potential of shale gas, South Africa lacks the necessary service industries and pipelines that supported the US shale revolution, and faces significant environmental risks due to water scarcity.
• The US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue, established in 2010, facilitates cooperation on renewable energy, energy efficiency, peaceful nuclear use, carbon capture, and shale gas exploration.
• US energy engagement in Africa has focused on a limited set of countries, specifically aiming to double energy access in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania.
• The US energy boom is expected to result in a transition from coal to gas rather than a complete decarbonisation of its energy mix.

APA

Maupin, A. (2014). ‘Energetic’ Dialogues in South Africa: The US Example. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Policy-Briefing-115.pdf

Chicago

Maupin, Agathe. ‘Energetic’ Dialogues in South Africa: The US Example. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Policy-Briefing-115.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Maupin |first1=Agathe |title=‘Energetic’ Dialogues in South Africa: The US Example |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=November 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Policy-Briefing-115.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{maupin2014energetic, author = {Maupin, Agathe}, title = {{‘Energetic’ Dialogues in South Africa: The US Example}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Policy-Briefing-115.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }