The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has announced sweeping changes in the issuance and management of petroleum product import licences, citing widespread inactivity among licence holders and concerns over potential misuse.
In a press statement released yesterday, BERA said performance monitoring revealed that only a handful of licensed companies are actively importing petroleum products, despite the large number of licences issued since the regulator began operations in September 2017. The Authority also noted “disturbing allegations” that some dormant licences may be exploited in the market.
To address this, BERA has invoked Section 46 of the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority Act, which empowers it to revoke unused licences. However, licence holders will first be given an opportunity to justify why their permits should not be withdrawn. All current import licence holders have been instructed to schedule meetings with the Authority through designated officers.
Further tightening the regulatory framework, BERA has introduced a new requirement that all applicants for petroleum import licences must demonstrate ownership or rental of a licensed storage facility. The Authority says this condition will ensure accountability and strengthen supply chain oversight.
Dr. Never Tshabang, BERA’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasised that the move aligns with the Authority’s mandate to regulate the energy sector effectively. “We are committed to ensuring that petroleum imports are conducted transparently and responsibly, safeguarding national supply security while protecting the integrity of the market,” he said.
The decision follows BERA’s ongoing monitoring of petroleum import volumes in collaboration with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS). Regulations enacted in 2024 already require importers to submit annual consumption projections, sourcing information, and volume reconciliations.
The new measures are expected to streamline the petroleum importation process and promote greater compliance within the sector.
