South Africa’s role as a strategic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) gateway to sub-Saharan Africa comes into focus this week, as government and industry leaders convene in Johannesburg.

The sub-Saharan Africa LPG Expo taking place on April 9 and 10 at the Sandton Convention Centre will open with an address by Electricity and Energy Deputy Minister Samantha Graham-Maré, setting the tone for a programme focused on clean cooking and South Africa’s evolving role in regional energy supply.

The discussions taking place this week are expected to shape how South Africa converts its LPG position into practical regional supply, with implications for market stability and access across sub-Saharan Africa.

On day two, Graham-Maré will also lead a high-level discussion titled “Deep Dive into Clean Cooking”, addressing key priorities in accelerating access to clean cooking solutions across the region.

At the centre of the agenda is a key industry question of how South Africa can translate its infrastructure position into a functional regional LPG hub, while navigating supply chain risks and growing cross-border demand.

This will be explored in the keynote discussion panel under the title, “South Africa as the LPG Gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities, Risks, and Strategic Imperatives”, moderated by industry association Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of South Africa (LPGSA) MD Gadibolae Dihlabi.

The session will examine regional trade opportunities, infrastructure readiness, supply chain constraints and the strategic priorities required to support LPG growth across sub-Saharan Africa.  

Government participation spans multiple departments and functions and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources will outline policy direction and regulatory considerations for the sector.

Department of Electricity and Energy energy policy and planning chief director Thabang Audat will address the transition from traditional biomass to LPG, positioning LPG as a strategic fuel to enhance energy security, affordability, and reliability. His session will also highlight the policy frameworks, infrastructure requirements and public-private collaboration needed to accelerate adoption across emerging markets.

Department of Employment and Labour director: electrical and mechanical engineering Jacob Malatse will focus on safety, compliance and certification across the LPG value chain, covering cylinders, appliances, installations and ongoing regulatory enforcement.

Regulation and safety remain central to the programme, with sessions addressing the governance structures required to ensure reliable distribution, consumer protection, market stability and equitable access, including safety standards, licensing frameworks, enforcement mechanisms and regional cooperation across borders.

The agenda will also consider external pressures on the sector, including how developments in the Middle East may affect LPG supply chains to South Africa and the wider region, with potential implications for availability, pricing and supply stability.

“South Africa’s role as an LPG gateway will ultimately be measured by how well policy, infrastructure and supply realities are aligned. This platform brings those priorities into one room, from regulation and safety to the practical requirements of cross-border supply,” Dihlabi says.