𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐍-𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐔𝐄𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒
The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has warned fuel retailers that they risk having their service stations closed and licences suspended or revoked if they fail to address serious safety and environmental violations within the next three months.
In a notice issued on 1 September 2026, BERA said recent routine inspections of retail service stations across the country uncovered a “significant number” of facilities with serious non-compliances.
Among the problems identified are the absence of oil-spillage containment systems or oil-water separators, lack of leak-monitoring wells, inadequate or non-existent operating procedures, untrained employees and failure to provide attendants with personal protective clothing.
BERA warned that the shortcomings pose risks to both workers and members of the public, while potentially contributing to environmental pollution and contamination of underground and surface water sources.
More concerning, according to the regulator, is that some service stations had previously been inspected and committed to fixing the problems but failed to do so. In some instances, as many as four years have passed without the identified violations being fully addressed.
SOME FUEL STATIONS ALREADY CLOSED
BERA revealed that enforcement has already begun, with some non-compliant service stations around the country closed over the past few weeks.
The regulator has now given the industry September, October and November 2026 to clear all outstanding compliance issues.
Those that fail to comply face further enforcement measures, including closure, suspension of their operating licences or complete revocation of their licences in accordance with regulatory requirements.
BERA has urged retailers to revisit previous inspection reports, conduct self-assessments and, where necessary, request voluntary inspections.
The regulator will also hold petroleum compliance workshops for retailers in Jwaneng on 15 September and Francistown on 17 September 2026, with southern retailers expected to attend in Jwaneng and those in the north directed to Francistown.
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