Botswana is working to strengthen its energy security by expanding its fuel storage infrastructure, with plans to increase its strategic fuel reserves from the current 15-day supply to 55 days by the first quarter of the 2027/28 financial year.
The target will be achieved through the completion of new fuel depots in Francistown and Gantsi, which are currently under construction, according to Botswana Oil Limited (BOL).
Speaking during a media tour of the company’s Gaborone fuel depot, BOL Senior Manager for the Project Management Office, Kabelo Lanka, said the Francistown facility is close to completion while construction has already begun at the Gantsi depot.
He expressed confidence that once both projects are operational, Botswana’s fuel reserve capacity will rise significantly, providing the country with a stronger buffer against supply disruptions.
Lanka added that the planned Tshele Hills fuel depot, which will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership with support from an Omani partner secured by the government, is expected to further increase the country’s storage capacity. Once completed, the project is projected to help Botswana achieve a 60-day strategic fuel reserve by 2035.
Although the long-term goal represents a major improvement, he noted that it remains below the 90-day reserve level recommended in a feasibility study.
The planned storage facilities are strategically positioned to support fuel imports from Botswana’s key supply routes. Francistown will serve imports from Mozambique, Gantsi will support deliveries from Namibia, while Tshele Hills will handle supplies from South Africa, helping diversify import channels and improve supply reliability.
According to BOL, the Francistown depot will have a storage capacity of 98 million litres, Gantsi will initially hold 30 million litres with room for future expansion, while the Tshele Hills project is expected to provide storage for 187 million litres.
Lanka also disclosed that Botswana is exploring the possibility of developing coastal fuel storage facilities in Namibia to further enhance energy security, although discussions on the project are still at an early stage.
Meanwhile, BOL’s Head of Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality, Ronny Orlando, said the company maintains strict quality control measures for imported fuel. He explained that products undergo testing before being accepted into storage, while any fuel that fails to meet required standards is subjected to additional assessment before it can be released for use.
