South Africa risks a severe natural gas shortage by June 2026 as its primary supply source, Mozambique’s Pande-Temane gas fields, nears depletion. To address the crisis, the African Energy Leadership Center (AELC) at Wits Business School, in collaboration with IGUA South Africa, is convening a high-level symposium to assess solutions for securing long-term gas supply.
Urgent Action Needed
With industrial users warning of dire economic consequences—including job losses and factory shutdowns—the symposium brings together government officials, energy regulators, manufacturers, and financiers. Maurice Radebe, Director of Wits Business School, emphasized the need for immediate action: “There’s no time for blame-shifting. We need short-term fixes like importing gas and long-term strategies, including tapping into reserves in Namibia and northern Mozambique.”
Government and Private Sector Collaboration
Key stakeholders, including Eskom, Sasol, and Transnet, are exploring infrastructure upgrades and alternative supply routes. South Africa’s Gas Master Plan aims to diversify sources, but delays risk exacerbating the crisis.
As winter increases household gas demand, the symposium underscores the urgency of avoiding a “gas cliff” that could destabilize the economy. Updates will follow as discussions continue.
