After their energy relations hit a rough patch in 2012 with the imposition of US oil sanctions against Iran, the US–SA energy partnership has been nudged in a new direction by US President Barack Obama’s launch of the ‘Power Africa’ initiative in Cape Town in 2013. Part of this emerging partnership is a joining of forces to improve access to energy across Africa. Given this recent warming in relations, this policy briefing presents the salient features of the emerging US–SA energy dialogue, with a focus on shale gas and renewable energy sources.
