South Africa and the US have both recently attempted to take concrete action to transform their respective energy futures. This is happening against the backdrop of major shifts in the global energy landscape and South Africa’s own need for new energy partnerships. After their energy relations hit a rough patch in 2012 with the imposition of US oil sanctions against Iran, the US–SA energy partnership has been nudged in a new direction by US President Barack Obama’s launch of the ‘Power Africa’ initiative in Cape Town in 2013. Part of this emerging partnership is a joining of forces to improve access to energy across Africa.

Given this recent warming in relations, this policy briefing presents the salient features of the emerging US–SA energy dialogue, with a focus on shale gas and renewable energy sources.

Recommendations:

despite three broad objectives (energy security, poverty eradication and economic growth), US initiatives in Africa have targeted few countries and could benefit from further expansion
South Africa has been cautious about adopting new technology enabling the exploitation of its shale beds. It should continue on this path given its water constraints and should resist caving in to pressure due to its domestic energy crisis if it is to emerge environmentally unscathed
the growing US–South Africa energy dialogue requires ongoing monitoring over the long run to see how it could inform and benefit both technology exchanges and partnerships with the continent