Fuel stocks barely a month – Gov’t reveals
Spira Tlhankane | Wednesday March 25, 2026 06:00
Answering in Parliament on behalf of the Minister of Minerals and Energy, the Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, struck a cautiously reassuring tone, even as figures laid bare the fragility of the country’s fuel buffer.
“As at March 20, 2026, the national fuel strategic stocks stood at 10 days whilst the commercial stocks stood at 20.8 days of the prevailing consumption equivalent (3.3 million litres),” the minister said.
Tshere was responding to a question from Maun North legislator Dumelang Saleshando, who had asked the Minister of Minerals and Energy to update Parliament on the current fuel supply and national security in Botswana, in light of recent public statements and concerns regarding the adequacy of national fuel reserves.
Tshere said this places Botswana’s total available cover at roughly 30 days, far below the internationally recommended 90-day benchmark for land-linked countries. Tshere further disclosed that the government’s current strategic storage capacity stands at 62.5 million litres, equivalent to just over two weeks of national consumption.
“The current maximum strategic storage capacity available is 62.5 million litres made up of 24 million litres in Gaborone Depot and 38.5 million litres in Francistown Depot, which translates to 15 days of prevailing consumption equivalent,” he said.
According to Tshere, the commercial players are carrying a significant share of the burden, holding 46.8 million litres, with an additional 18.2 million litres in transit. He said Botswana Oil Limited alone accounts for 36.8 million litres, including part of the strategic reserves.
Despite these buffers, the figures disclosed by the minister highlight a system heavily reliant on continuous imports, leaving little room for disruption. Tshere added that the government is now in a race against time to shore up reserves and align with global energy security standards.
“The government has embarked on an expansion programme to align with international energy security benchmarks of 90 days' cover for land-linked countries,” the minister said. He said key projects include a 60 million litre expansion of the Francistown depot and construction of a 30 million litre facility in Ghanzi, both expected in 2026. He said these will push the national cover to about 55 days.
Beyond that, he pointed out that a massive 187 million litre facility at Tshele Hills and 100 million litres of coastal storage are in the pipeline, potentially lifting Botswana’s fuel cover beyond 90 days.
Tshere also indicated that the urgency is heightened by geopolitical instability, particularly in the Middle East, which threatens global supply chains.
“Botswana, like many import-dependent countries, remains exposed to global supply risks, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting key maritime routes and international fuel supply chains,” he warned.
To cushion the country, he said the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy, including diversifying supply routes and leasing storage facilities outside its borders.
“Government has implemented several measures to mitigate potential supply disruptions, including: proactive supplier engagement and strengthened supply planning processes; expedited leasing of coastal storage facilities in Mozambique and Namibia to diversify supply routes; increasing monthly procurement volumes to build buffer stocks; and continuous monitoring of global supply dynamics to enable early intervention,” he said.
Whilst the numbers paint a precarious picture, Tshere insisted that the situation is under control for now.
“Accordingly, whilst risk exists, the country is not in an immediate fuel supply crisis, and the government remains confident in its ability to maintain continuity of fuel supply whilst strengthening long-term energy security,” the minister said.
Still, with reserves hovering around a month and global uncertainties mounting, Botswana’s energy security hinges on how quickly these ambitious storage projects move from paper to reality.