Mmegi

Industry players push against Botswana Oil import quota

Tough times: The U.S and Israel conflict with Iran has raised oil prices by triple figures PIC.PIXELS.COM
Tough times: The U.S and Israel conflict with Iran has raised oil prices by triple figures PIC.PIXELS.COM

A review started last year into Botswana Oil’s mandate to import 90% of the country’s fuel supplies, is reportedly intensifying, with some analysts seeing the sole responsibility as a risk, especially at a time when countries are negotiating the impact of the Middle East crisis. MBONGENI MGUNI & PAULINE DIKUELO report

Late last year, multinational oil companies reportedly submitted their views on the review of Botswana Oil’s mandate to import 90 percent of the country’s fuel. Insiders involved in the process say the multinationals, who lost their mandates to Botswana Oil in 2024, have strongly pushed for a reduction of the 90%, a position only hardened by the outbreak of the Middle East crisis.

Engen Botswana, the only listed oil company, this week announced a 55 percent drop in pretax profits which directors said was linked to the “commencement of the petroleum products importation quota”.

Editor's Comment
BPF should get house in order

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has this week rightly washed his hands of the mess, refusing to wade into a party squabble that has no clear leadership and no single version of the truth.When a single party sends six different letters to the Speaker’s office, each claiming to be the authoritative voice, it is not just confusion, but an embarrassment.Keorapetse is correct to insist on institutional boundaries. Parliament...

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