South Africa has proposed a decade-long deal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, aiming to rekindle strained trade relations.
A government document signed by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni outlines plans to import 75 to 100 petajoules of U.S. LNG annually.
This volume—equal to 75 to 100 million cubic metres—could generate up to $1.2 billion in annual trade between the two nations.
The offer was presented during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to Washington on May 21, where he sought to reset diplomatic ties with President Donald Trump.
Ramaphosa’s overture followed U.S. moves to cut aid, grant refugee status to white South Africans, and criticise Pretoria’s policies on land reform and Israel.
Ntshavheni, who joined Ramaphosa’s delegation, said the proposal includes collaboration in fracking and gas infrastructure to boost South Africa’s energy transition.
With domestic gas imports from Mozambique dwindling, South Africa is seeking alternatives to sustain its energy security and reduce coal dependency.
The trade package also seeks duty-free quotas for 40,000 vehicles, 385 million kilograms of steel, and 132 million kilograms of aluminium annually.
Additionally, it requests duty-free access for South African automotive components used in U.S. manufacturing.
The official statement was posted on the government’s news agency site Sunday, though the platform later went offline due to technical issues.
Ntshavheni had shared the document via her X account, though it remains unclear whether the version posted is final.
She emphasised that U.S. LNG would complement, not replace, existing suppliers and help fuel economic and energy resilience.
Trump, meanwhile, continues to wield energy exports as leverage in ongoing global trade negotiations.