LPG Market Trends in SADC: Navigating Supply and Demand Across Southern Africa
LPG demand is growing across Southern Africa, but supply and logistics vary widely.
This post compares LPG markets in key SADC countries, highlighting import dependencies and infrastructure. Learn where opportunities lie and how Zambezi Gas can help distribute LPG regionally.
Southern Africa’s LPG market is undergoing rapid change. The SADC region is pushing LPG as a clean, scalable energy for industry and homes. At a 2025 SADC summit, leaders reaffirmed LPG’s role in replacing wood-fired cooking and pledged to strengthen distribution networks. With major gas projects coming online (Mozambique LNG, Tanzania FLNG), LPG demand is set to surge.
However, supply dynamics vary by country. Angola is the powerhouse: it produced ~1.2 Mt of LPG in 2024 (about 74% of regional output) and exports large volumes to neighbors. Even South Africa – a net importer – sometimes re-exports LPG into the region. South Africa’s domestic LPG output is just ~244 kt (2024), so the country relies on imports (~255 M USD in 2024).
Tanzania is a fast-growing market (456 kt demand in 2024) driven by urbanization. It is expanding infrastructure – building a new 40,000 m³ Tanga LPG terminal (operational by 2027) to boost access. In Zimbabwe, demand is rising too (targeting 70% clean-cooking access by 2027) and VAT on LPG has been removed to spur uptake. Angola, expecting a 31% jump in LPG demand by 2027, is strengthening supplies at its LNG plant.
By contrast, many smaller SADC countries have little or no LPG production. Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, DRC and others rely entirely on imports (mostly via South Africa or Tanzania). These landlocked markets face higher logistics costs: road/rail transport, bottlenecks at ports (like Maputo or Beira), and limited local storage all add delays and costs. Cylinder distribution networks are also thin, meaning rural areas often lack LPG access.
The table below compares key SADC LPG markets. (Countries are rated on winter demand trend, import dependence, logistics constraints and a rough “Opportunity Score” from 1–5.)
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| Country | Winter Demand Trend | Import Dependence | Major Logistics Constraints | Opportunity Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | ↑ Seasonal peak (space heating, kitchens) | High (domestic production↓, heavy imports) | Refinery outages; port congestion; distribution gaps (especially Western Cape) | 4 |
| Angola | Steady (tropical climate) | Low (major producer, exporter) | Refining tied to oil; pipeline to Namibia (Kudu) needed | 2 |
| Tanzania | ↑ (cooler, rainy season boosts LPG cooking) | Moderate (growing local demand, some imports) | Single port (Dar/Tanga); limited inland depots | 5 |
| Mozambique | ↑ in south (dry season heating, urban use) | Moderate (rising with LNG project) | Port/rail bottlenecks; competition with Chinese coal exports | 4 |
| Zambia | ↑ (cold winter nights) | Very High (no production) | Overland transit from SA or TANZ (long haul) | 4 |
| Zimbabwe | ↑ (cool highveld winters) | Very High (no production) | Landlocked; throughput via SA or Moz; currency risk | 4 |
| Namibia | ↓ (desert winters are mild) | High (imports from Angola/SA) | Limited road network; low domestic consumption | 3 |
| Botswana | ↗ (cold winter nights) | High (imports via SA rail/road) | Reliance on SA/Edenvale port; sparse retail network | 3 |
| Malawi | ↑ (cool nights in highlands) | Very High (imports from TANZ via Malawi line) | Aging pipeline; price volatility | 3 |
| DR Congo | ↗ (varied climates) | High (imports via Zambia/Angola) | Poor roads; limited storage; currency/inflation | 3 |
Sources: Country notes compiled from industry reports. “↑” means higher winter usage; “↗” moderate increase; “↓” little seasonal change.
The data reveal imbalances: Angola’s LPG export capacity contrasts with import shortfalls in Zambia or Zimbabwe. For regional LPG suppliers, this means cross-border logistics and partnerships are key. Zambezi Gas, with operations in South Africa and Zimbabwe, is positioned to serve these markets. We offer fast-tracked export deliveries into SADC, leveraging bulk terminals and rail connections (e.g. current Petredec rail-LPG project).
Expand Your LPG Reach: Zambezi Gas can help your business tap the SADC LPG market. Whether you’re an industrial buyer in Zambia or a retailer in Tanzania, we provide scalable supply and distribution. Email info@zambesigas.co.za or call +27 12 766 4069 to learn about our regional LPG solutions.
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