Botswana is expediting the leasing of coastal storage facilities in Namibia and Mozambique to diversify supply routes for petroleum products.

The move aims to mitigate supply disruptions in the neighbouring country.

Since Botswana is a landlocked country and without a harbour, the southern African country has been utilising South African ports only for fuel supply, but has been facing disruptions.

It is against this backdrop that Botswana is coming up with measures designed to enhance its resilience against external shocks, including logistical and geopolitical disruptions.

Bogolo Kenewendo, Botswana's Minister of Minerals and Energy, explained that "the 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, thereby increasing monthly procurement volumes to build buffer stocks."

Like many import-dependent countries, Botswana remains exposed to global supply risks, particularly in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting key maritime routes and international fuel supply chains.

Amid rising global geopolitical tensions, Namibia and Botswana accentuated closer regional cooperation guided by international law and peaceful dispute resolution during a one-day working visit paid by President Duma Boko to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah just over a week ago.