Energy
The basin relies on coal-fired thermal power stations and on hydroelectricity generated from a few major reservoirs outside the river basin for its energy. The majority of rural communities living in the Limpopo river basin rely on firewood for energy supplies.

Portions of the basin have large deposits of coal, an important ingredient for thermal power generation. Bobonong in Botswana, and some coalmines in the Limpopo province of South Africa are operational, while in Zimbabwe has deposits of both coal and methane gas.

In South Africa and Botswana, the majority of people in the basin live in urban areas, and many have access to electricity. Electricity is also commonly found on commercial farms, although farm labourers rely largely on fuelwood for domestic activities.

While the Zimbabwe portion of the Limpopo basin is predominantly rural, a recently accelerated rural electrification programme is likely to improve access to this source of energy in the rural areas.

Firewood is the main form of energy in the portion of the Limpopo river basin that is in Mozambique, and is extensively harvested for local use and for sale. Fuelwood cutters and charcoal producers have set up numerous camps along major roads, where Mopane woodlands are being rapidly cut down and sold to dealers.