Middle East / Africa
Country profile: South Africa
| Location: | Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa |
| Climate: | mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights |
| Terrain: | vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain |
| Size: | 1219912 sq. km total (Land area: 1219912 sq. km ) |
| Population: | 43,786,115 |
| Languages: | IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001 census) |
| Government: | republic |
| Capital city: | Pretoria (administrative capital) |
| Legal system: | based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Currency: | rand (ZAR) |
| Licensing: |
Country profile
The South African government is seeking to increase jobs and promote business development throughout the country with the hope of reaching annual 6.0 percent GDP growth in the future. In 2006, South Africa’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate was 4.6 percent. The South African government has committed to ensuring that black-owned companies have access to the energy sector. Under its black economic empowerment (BEE) program, the South African government has set targets of 25 percent BEE ownership of energy companies by 2014.
Large, predominately white-owned corporations have sold assets to achieve this objective, with the first sale occurring in 2000. BEE firms are commonly referred to as “empowerment” firms. The bulk of South Africa’s energy consumption mix is comprised of coal, which the country primarily uses to produce synthetic fuels. South Africa also consumes a substantial amount of oil. Only a small percentage of the energy consumption mix is comprised of natural gas and nuclear.
Energy production and consumption
| Oil | Gas | |
| Production: | 200,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) | 2 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
| Consumption: | 519,000 bbl/day (2006 est.) | 2 billion cu m (2005 est.) |
| Exports: | 217,700 bbl/day (2004 est.) | |
| Imports: | 319,000 bbl/day (2004 est.) | |
| Reserves: | 15 million bbl (1 January 2007 est.) | 27 million cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Major fields: |
South Africa - recent news
| 06 Mar 26 |
Lyra Energy reaches financial close and starts construction of 255 MW solar power plant Scatec’s joint venture in South Africa, Lyra Energy, has reached financial close and is starting construction of the 255 MW Thakadu solar power plant. |
| 24 Feb 26 |
South Africa: Chariot reports that Etana Energy has signed up a further 150MWAC in sole offtake from the Orkney 219MWDC solar photovoltaic project AIM-listed Chariot, the Africa focused energy company, reports that Etana Energy, the South African electricity trading platform in which Chariot’s subsidiary, Chariot Generation and Trading, holds an economic interest of 34%, has signed up a further 150MWAC in sole offtake from the Orkney 219MWDC solar photovoltaic project which has now reached financial close. |
| 23 Feb 26 |
South Africa: Sasol announces operating and financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2025 Sasol has released its operating and financial results for the six months ended 31 December 2025 (H1 FY26). Despite challenging macro-economic conditions, the company is progressing delivery on its strategic objectives. |
| 16 Feb 26 |
South Africa: Lyra Energy secures private sector offtake for a 255 MW solar power plant Scatec’s joint venture renewable energy platform in South Africa, Lyra Energy (Lyra), has signed power purchase agreements (PPA) with three top tier commercial and industrial offtakers for a large portion of a 255 MW solar power plant (Thakadu). |
| 15 Dec 25 |
South Africa: Chariot completes significant financing for South African wind projects AIM-listed Chariot, the Africa focused energy group, is pleased to confirm that it has completed a significant financing and a strategic equity partnership primarily to fund its investment in two wind generation projects, Zen and Bergriver, in South Africa, which have just reached financial close. |
South Africa - more news
Other countries in this region
- Algeria,
- Angola,
- Bahrain,
- Benin,
- Botswana,
- Burundi,
- Cameroon,
- Central Africa Republic,
- Chad,
- Comoros,
- Congo (Brazzaville),
- Congo (Democratic Rep.),
- Cote d'Ivoire,
- Djibouti,
- Egypt,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- Eritrea,
- Ethiopia,
- Gabon,
- Gambia,
- Ghana,
- Guinea (Republic),
- Guinea Bissau,
- Iran,
- Iraq,
- Israel,
- Jordan,
- Kenya,
- Kuwait,
- Lebanon,
- Liberia,
- Libya,
- Madagascar,
- Malawi,
- Mali,
- Mauritania,
- Mauritius,
- Morocco,
- Mozambique,
- Namibia,
- Niger,
- Nigeria,
- Oman,
- Palestine,
- Qatar,
- Rwanda,
- Sao Tome,
- Saudi Arabia,
- Senegal,
- Seychelles,
- Sierra Leone,
- Somalia,
- Somaliland,
- South Sudan,
- Sudan,
- Syria,
- Tanzania,
- Togo,
- Tunisia,
- Uganda,
- United Arab Emirates,
- Western Sahara,
- Yemen,
- Zambia,
- Zanzibar,
- Zimbabwe
