BERA to revoke dormant petroleum import licences
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday August 25, 2025 09:11
According to BERA, the decision follows performance monitoring which revealed that only a limited number of licensed companies are actively importing petroleum products, despite the large number of licences issued since the authority commenced operations on September 1, 2017.
“The authority has also received disturbing allegations that these dormant licences may be misused in the market,” BERA said in a statement.
The revocation process will not be immediate. Licensed importers are required to contact the authority to schedule meetings, where they will be given an opportunity to present reasons why their licences should not be revoked. This process is in line with Section 46 of the BERA Act, which provides that licensees must be given the chance to show cause before a revocation is effected.
Whilst the authority views the move as necessary to strengthen oversight, sources familiar with the developments have expressed concern over the approach, describing it as unfair.
“The decision doesn’t make sense. Why should BERA generalise rather than take action against those who have violated? Some licence holders are struggling to sustain operations, which is a normal challenge in business. They should be given a chance,” said one source, who argued that the authority’s licensing criteria should have been stringent enough to prevent fronting from the onset.
In addition to the revocations, BERA has also announced new, stricter conditions for obtaining petroleum import licences. Applicants must now demonstrate ownership or rental of a duly licensed storage facility before a licence can be granted.
The authority also highlighted its ongoing monitoring mechanisms, noting that it tracks petroleum supply into the country using import volume data from the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, under Regulations 9 and 10 of the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (Petroleum Products) Regulations of 2024, licensed importers are required to report projected annual consumption needs, disclose sources of supply, and submit volume reconciliations.
The planned revocations and tightened licensing framework reflect BERA’s effort to enhance transparency, prevent fronting, and ensure the sustainable supply of petroleum products in Botswana.