Industry players push against Botswana Oil import quota
Friday, April 03, 2026 | 700 Views |
Tough times: The U.S and Israel conflict with Iran has raised oil prices by triple figures PIC.PIXELS.COM
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”.
“The trouble with government regulation of the market is that it prohibits capitalistic acts between consenting adults.”~ Robert NozickWhile government must contain the disease, it must also confront the growing economic hardship caused by its response. For many rural households, cattle remain a source of livelihood and the only means for tending for thousands of families, and for these kind of people the longer the restrictions continue, the...