Following Botswana President Duma Boko’s visit to Angola in March, the Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo has revealed that Botswana has been offered 30% in the Angola oil refinery project.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East with the crucial Strait of Hormuz restricted affecting fuel supply, Kenewendo updated Parliament today on the status of fuel security.
In her statement, Kenewendo revealed that fuel security remains stable locally despite skyrocketing prices of fuel internationally.
As the government looks for long term strategies to curb such predicaments, the minister updated the National Assembly on the developments of the Angola trip undertaken by Boko last week.
“Last week we went with President Boko to Angola to hold talks with both the Angola President and Namibian President but I did not want to prematurely state this. So we have started talks with Angola to join in building their refinery project,” Kenewendo announced.
Kenewendo stated that Angola can be a key strategic partner to boost fuel security challenges. She disclosed that Botswana has been offered a stake in the refinery project.
“Angola has petroleum, crude oil, and a refinery and they have now given us an opportunity to at least take 30% of the refinery, ” she told Parliament.
Though the offer is lucrative and can be a great bargain for the country, the minister warned that the discussions are still preliminary at the moment.
“The talks are ongoing currently to determine if we truly understand what the project is, how much it needs. So these talks are ongoing as we want to ensure that Botswana’s future in the petroleum sector is covered,” Kenewendo said.
Beyond the refinery project, Kenewendo said Boko also pleaded with Sociedade Nacional de Combustíveis de Angola (SONANGOL), a State Owned Enterprise, to make fuel purchases on behalf of Botswana.
“When we were in Angola, President Boko held talks with the Angola President that when SONANGOL buys its fuel for Angola, it also includes Botswana,” Kenewendo said.
She highlighted that the talks are already on going and the public should watch out for more developments on the matter.
Mmegi
