The demand for electricity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is anticipated to double from 280 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2010 to 570 TWh by 2030. By extension, the region will require significant amounts of electrical equipment, which includes items that are used for generation, conversion, transmission, supply, control, and utilisation of electric energy. The SADC region is a net importer of electrical equipment, although South Africa supplies some of the equipment, including cables and structural steel products to the region, and Zambia produces copper wire on a large scale. If more local requirements for electrical equipment were produced in the region, it would stimulate investment, innovation, manufacturing, and job creation both directly and indirectly.
This regional value chain report examines whether SADC countries can move up the value chain and produce more inputs. It considers opportunities for further value addition in three Southern African countries – South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.