South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Mozambique to harness the potential of natural gas as a transitional fuel in its shift away from fossil fuels such as coal and diesel. South African officials recognize that natural gas offers the flexibility needed to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy sources.
With Mozambique holding over 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, making it one of Africa’s most promising gas markets, South African Minister of Energy and Electricity Kgosientso Ramokgopa views a partnership with Mozambique as a strategic move in South Africa’s ambitious energy transition plan.
The two countries are in the final stages of negotiations to formalize an energy sector agreement.
During a discussion with Mozambican journalists in Johannesburg following a meeting with Mozambique’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Carlos Zacarias, on Thursday, Minister Ramokgopa emphasized the mutual benefits that the agreement would bring to both nations.
“We are on the verge of signing the agreement, but the true value lies in how it will improve the lives of our people. Mozambique will see an increase in universal access to energy, enabling more people and industries to obtain the power they need. For South Africa, this agreement is crucial for addressing our supply challenges; we’ve already made significant progress, with no power cuts in the last 150 days.
“Our goal is to convert natural gas into energy, and Mozambique plays a pivotal role in this transition. We need each other. As neighboring countries with a long-standing cordial relationship, we aim to elevate this partnership to new heights, especially in the energy sector, to ensure energy security across the region,” Ramokgopa stated
